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The Chardi Kalaa Foundation

EIN 77-0435366 · Los Gatos, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair54 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL GROWTH OF THE LOCAL SIKH COMMUNITY BY HELPING TO FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND REINFORCING SIKH VALUES. PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR SERVING THE SOCIAL, CULTURAL RECREATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH PROGRAMS TAILORED TO SERVE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AMERICAN ENVIRONMENT. PROMOTE A STRONG SIKH COMMUNITY AMONG THE SIKH YOUTH.

Income
$192,989
Spending
$343,527
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
29.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 78% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $115,000 spent. Gurbani Research encompasses a number of different projects by organizations and individuals dedicated to the study and interpretation of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of Sikhism. It is the study of the structure, languages and themes of the Guru Granth Sahib to provide a better understanding and appreciation of Gurbani's wisdom for the Sikh and other communities in the US.
  2. $65,000 spent. Provide grant funding for advocacy projects for civic participation and advocacy at the governmental level for religious freedom. These important projects also ensures that the Sikh voice is heard in the larger social justice and non-profit communities. Provide grant funding for legal defense to defend and safeguard Sikh religious freedom primarily for Sikh victims of hate crimes, public accommodation and employment discrimination and other forms of illegal bias.
  3. $60,000 spent. PROMOTE THROUGH GRANTS AND DONATIONS TO PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE THE BROADER COMMUNITY ABOUT SIKHS AND DIVERSITY, PROMOTE LOCAL COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT, AND FOSTER CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AMONGST SIKH AMERICANS.
  4. The organization provides a platform and an opportunity to convene scholars and educators once a year at a conference to discuss the future of the Punjabi language in the Sikh community and youth in the United States EXPENSES $ 55,000. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 55,000. REVENUE $ 0. The organization supports community activities in educating young American Sikhs or other communities interested in learning the devotional and communal singing in Sikhism which is called Kirtan. Kirtan is the musical recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the primary scripture in the Sikhism tradition. It is typically performed at Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) but can be done publicly wherein Sikh scriptures and legends are recited in a song, set to a certain Raga and Taal (Indian musical notes). Students are also taught the practice of different musical instruments like the Harmonium and the Tabla EXPENSES $ 36,000. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 36,000. REVENUE $ 0.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1998.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.