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White Forest Sangha Inc

EIN 83-2602090 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WHITE FOREST SANGHA IS A 21ST CENTURY WESTERN LAY ZEN BUDDHIST PRACTICE COMMUNITY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES, TEACHINGS, AND MATERIALS ON ZEN BUDDHISM

Income
$87,213
Spending
$25,378
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
8

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $17,013 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES WEEKLY MEDITATION INSTRUCTION, ZEN BUDDHIST TEACHINGS, AND LITURGY SERVICES AT LEAST TWICE WEEKLY. THESE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN PERSON AS WELL AS ONLINE. THE PRIMARY EXPENSE INCURRED IS MONTHLY RENT. THE ORGANIZATION RELIES ENTIRELY ON NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS TO DELIVER PROGRAMS AND TO MAINTAIN PHYSICAL SPACE AND MATERIALS. BOARD MEMBERS ARE UNPAID VOLUNTEERS, BUT MAY BE COMPENSATED FOR SERVICES OUTSIDE THEIR POSITION ON THE BOARD.
  2. $3,796 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES WEEKLY MEDITATION INSTRUCTION, ZEN BUDDHIST TEACHINGS, AND LITURGY SERVICES AT LEAST TWICE WEEKLY. THESE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN PERSON AS WELL AS ONLINE. ADDITIONAL EXPENSES MAY INCLUDE VARIOUS SUPPLIES, ADVERTISING, ETC.
  3. MISSION STATEMENT OF THE WHITE FOREST SANGHA THE WHITE FOREST SANGHA (WFS) IS A ZEN PRACTICE COMMUNITY ROOTED IN CHAN AND ZEN TEACHINGS. IT INHERITS THE STRENGTHS OF VOW, PRACTICE, WISDOM AND COMPASSION. THE WFS HOLDS THAT ZEN IS A MOMENT BY MOMENT PRACTICE IN WHICH WE FULLY ENGAGE OUR EXPERIENCE ON AND OFF THE CUSHION. WE ENDEAVOR TO ACTUALIZE THIS IN OUR DAILY LIVES; FAMILY, WORK, ETC. PARTICIPATION IS OPEN TO ALL - THOSE NEW TO ZEN PRACTICE AND THOSE WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE.

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 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 November 6, 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 December 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 May 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 November 4, 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.