Oregon Karen Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Oregon Karen Association's mission statement is to enhance the quality of life for the Karen Community in Oregon.
- Income
- $101,468
- Spending
- $62,088
- Reserves
- 10.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% 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 (3)
- $38,414 spent. We provided locally produced vegetables and culturally specific stable items to 1350 individuals. During the growing season, we distribute fresh produce weekly to various places of worship within the Karen community. We have a total of 22 distrbutions.
- $430 spent. We hosted Karen Martyrs Day in August and over 100 people attended.
- $4,168 spent. We successfully celebrated the Karen New Year on January 10, 2026, achieving its goals of cultural preservation, youth engagement, and community connection. The event welcomed 400 attendees from across the Portland Metro region. Youth participated in traditional Karen dance, strengthening cultural knowledge and pride in their Karen identity. For the first time, OKA hosted competitions as part of the celebration. A youth drawing competition invited participants to create artwork representing pride in being Karen; four youth participated, and winners were selected through community voting by event attendees. An adult poetry competition focused on Karen identity and cultural heritage included two participants. Two Karen elders served as judges, reinforcing intergenerational leadership and cultural values. Overall, the event fostered artistic expression, strengthened community bonds, and affirmed the importance of the Karen New Year as a vital cultural tradition.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.