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Korean American Foundation

EIN 83-2513160 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

None

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$451,584
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
54.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 54.9 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 57% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (20)
  1. KAF fulfills its mission and vision by raising and stewarding funds in order to strategically give back to the community through the administration of grants to nonprofits whose work address the most pressing needs of our community.
  2. KAF provides fundholder services, assisting with gift administration and providing expertise based on the donor's philanthropic interests.
  3. $5,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: PAVA WorldGrantee Address: 3470 Wilshire Blvd. #612, Los Angeles, CA 90010Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 10/13/2023
  4. $5,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Turbo Charitable FoundationGrantee Address: 12 Upper Blackwater Canyon Rd. Rolling Hills, CA 90274Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 11/04/2023
  5. $100,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Korean American Special Education CenterGrantee Address: 1233 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90006Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 11/20/2023
  6. $10,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Koreatown Youth and Community CenterGrantee Address: 3727 W. 6th St., Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90020Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/01/2023
  7. $50,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Korea Town Senior and Community CenterGrantee Address: 965 Normandie Ave STE 200, Los Angeles, CA 90006Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/01/2023
  8. $10,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Korea Town Senior and Community CenterGrantee Address: 965 Normandie Ave STE 200, Los Angeles, CA 90006Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/01/2023
  9. $10,492 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Korea Town Senior and Community CenterGrantee Address: 965 Normandie Ave STE 200, Los Angeles, CA 90006Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 09/18/2024
  10. $5,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Seesaw Communities IncGrantee Address: 5681 Beach Blvd #100 Buena Park, CA 90621Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/19/2023
  11. $5,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Vision Care Service WestGrantee Address: P. O. Box 743219 Los Angeles, CA 90004Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/19/2023
  12. $20,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Korean American Story IncGrantee Address: 4 Cherry Lane, Scarsdale, NY 10583Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/19/2023
  13. $20,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Anderson Munger Family YMCAGrantee Address: 4301 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90020Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/19/2023
  14. $20,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Korean American CoalitionGrantee Address: 3727 West 6th Street Suite 305, Los Angeles, CA 90020Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/19/2023
  15. $20,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Korean American Family ServicesGrantee Address: 3727 W 6th Street Suite 320, Los Angeles, CA 90020Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/19/2023
  16. $5,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Faith and Community EmpowermentGrantee Address: 3435 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA 90010Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/19/2023
  17. $20,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Zion Mountain FoundationGrantee Address: 685 N. 13th Ave. STE 1 Upland, CA 91786Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 03/15/2024
  18. $5,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name:Korean American Chamber of CommerceGrantee Address: 3435 Wilshire Blvd # 2450, Los Angeles, CA 90010Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 03/15/2024
  19. $10,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Koreatown Senior & Community CenterGrantee Address: 981 S. Western Ave, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90006Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/01/2023
  20. $10,000 spent. Activity Classification: Charitable GrantGrantee Name: Koreatown Youth and Community CenterGrantee Address: 3727 W. 6th St., Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90020Grantee Relationship: NoneProperty Description: CashDate of Gift: 12/19/2023

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2019.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Americares Foundation Inc (Stamford, CT), EIN 06-1008595. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.