New Korea Foundation International
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We actively provide Christian led compassionate care, education, and resource networking to help restore and rebuild the lives of North Korean refugees today, preparing them to be the hands of change in the future.
- Income
- $202,881
- Spending
- $200,895
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 1
- Highest pay
- $6,459, cao, office administrator
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
Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 61% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 46% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% 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
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $92,000 spent. Our Shalom House Network has provided mental health care, access to medical care, a safe place to bather, do laundry, and rest, as well as a place to receive nutritious meals. Additionally, we have been able to provide educational scholarships to the children of refugee women, provide Christmas gifts to their families, and on occasion provide relocation assistance, This network is located in neighboring countries to North Korea and offer vital rehabilitation and restoration services to those we serve.
- $44,000 spent. New Korea English Reunification Camp (NKERC) is an annual camp held in South Korea. We focus on fast-tracking core English language skills for North Korean defectors and first generation South Koreans of North Korean descent, as well as South Korean students. Through our global camp centered volunteer staff, coursework, extra-curricular activities, and opportunities for evangelism, we are able to make a powerful impact in the lives of those we serve.
- $35,000 spent. Our Winter Discipleship Camp is comprised of three interconnected programs: 1) Winter Faith Retreat, 2) Winter English Intensive School, 3) Winter Leader and Discipleship training. Through these three programs we are able to provide fast-tracked English language education, community building, and foster leadership and discipleship skills in the North Korean defectors we serve. For our attendees, these programs offer them vital language skills needed for college level learning, connect hearts and minds together, and in many cases introduce them to Christianity for the first time.
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
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 2024.
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 February 2024.
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.