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White Heron Sangha

EIN 77-0546204 · Avila Beach, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The specific purposes of this corporation are to promote the instruction, study, and practice of Buddhism, meditation , and related activities, and to provide a regular meeting place and special facilities for these activities in San Luis Obispo County and nearby areas.

Income
$133,702
Spending
$85,901
Reserves
61.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 61.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (7)
  1. $54,432 spent. Meetings - Sitting Groups/Classes/Avila: including Sunday Program, Tuesday Evening Dharma, Wednesday Evening Mindfulness for Everyone, Thursday Evening Peace in our Hearts alternating with Loving Kindness Practice and Sunday Morning North County and Sunday Morning South County
  2. $1,088 spent. Engaged Buddhism: Program includes income (donations) and expenses. includes Dignity Hope Village Homeless Program, Adopt a Poll, and other short term projects by our engaged Buddhist community. People donate to EB and we reimburse shoppers furnishing temp rooms for homeless.
  3. $5,283 spent. Retreat: Held a total of four retreats, meeting both in-person and online.
  4. $2,516 spent. Website outreach. Supported website access for over 500 members and hundreds of non-members through Zoom and the Club Express membership and event software.
  5. $5,430 spent. Scholarship: Teacher Training at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
  6. Classes: A learning program or experiential program.
  7. $7,149 spent. Pantry Program: Members donate to a Pantry Program and we reimburse shoppers.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 March 2001.

    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.