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Seattle Chinese Garden Society

EIN 91-1443855 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IN A PARK-LIKE SETTING, THE SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN ENHANCES AND SERVES THE COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$798,110
Spending
$541,881
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
18.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
4
Volunteers
15

Source: Form 990 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.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 113% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 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 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)
  1. $374,279 spent. TRADITIONAL SICHUAN-STYLE GARDEN - THE GARDEN SERVES THE COMMUNITY THROUGH A DUAL FOCUS ON NATURE AND CULTURE. IT CELEBRATES SEATTLE'S RICH CHINESE HERITAGE AND INCREASES UNDERSTANDING OF CHINA AS AN IMPORTANT GLOBAL AND REGIONAL PARTNER IN THE AREAS OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE, EDUCATION, AND BUSINESS. THE 5-ACRE PARK-LIKE GARDEN SITE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, FREE OF CHARGE. DOCENT-LED TOURS ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. ASTRA LUMINA IS A TICKETED, OPEN-AIR NIGHT WALK ATTRACTION.
  2. KITE FESTIVAL - OUR ANNUAL FAMILY-FOCUSED KITE FESTIVAL. AN AFTERNOON OF ACTIVITITIES INCLUDED KITE FLYING, DISPLAYS AND DEMONSTRATIONS AND KITE COLORING FOR CHILDREN.
  3. PEONY AND BAMBOO FESTIVAL - NOW OUR MOST POPULAR ANNUAL EVENT, THE PEONY AND BAMBOO FESTIVAL DRAWS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS, INCLUDING MANY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN. THE FESTIVAL OFFERS CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT, TALKS AND DEMONSTRATIONS ON PLANT CARE, PLANT AND CRAFT SALES AND EDUCATIONAL AND DISPLAYS EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF PEONIES AND BAMBOO IN CHINESE ARTS AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS.

Source: Form 990 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 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 December 2025.

    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 November 1989.

    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.

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.