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United States Dragon Boat Federation

EIN 91-1990147 · Dubuque, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak27 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Promote the growth of Dragon Boating in the US for fitness, recreation, and team building at all levels of competition by offering training, clinics and certification for dragon boating officials, coaches, paddlers and festival organizers.

Income
$392,537
Spending
$249,384
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
32 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
200

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. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.0 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 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 272% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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

Weak: 27 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (4)
  1. $18,664 spent. The USDBF collects fees from individual paddlers, which allow the individual paddler certain program benefits. The benefit to the member is that they can participate in any paddling activity that the USDBF sanctions. Some of these activities include Team USA, being on a crew participating in various Championship Competitions such as Club Crew National Championships, Club Crew World Championships and the CanAm Club Crew Championships.
  2. $191,908 spent. Hosting a National Championship Competition which brought Dragon Boat Clubs from all across the United States to one location to determine the best crews in the US. This was accomplished by "head to head" competition using the standard racing format as prescribed by the International Dragon Boat Federation. This event brought together more than 110 different crews in approximately 30 different divisions that competed over a three day period to determine who was the best crew in their division. The crews that finished in the top of their division not only earned the right to claim that they were the "Best in the US", but also earned a berth to compete in the IDBF World Club Crew Championships that will be held in Hualien, Chinese Taipei in late August of 2026.
  3. $28,077 spent. The USDBF is the governing body that selects coaches and tasks them with the responsibility to select paddlers that make up Team USA, across the multiple divisions and age groups for the competition. Team USA paddlers and coaches will represent the US at the IDBF World Championships to be held in every odd numbered year.
  4. The USDBF continues to offer clinics that help many different people in various aspects of the Dragon Boating sport. There are clinics for paddlers that are being held to help them improve on their paddling techniques, and become a better Dragon Boat paddler. There are clinics for people that have a desire to move into the coaching position for their local club. These clinics teach them the proper methods of passing on the paddling techniques to the participants. There are clinics for people that have a desire to become Officials at Dragon Boating events. These clinics are the first step in allowing them to earn their "USDBF Officials License". There are clinics that help people learn how to take control in order to command and steer a dragon boat during practice and competition.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.