Shokookai of Portland
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE THE CHILDREN OF ITS MEMBERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE JAPANESE EDUCATIONAL METHODS AND CURRICULUM AND TO PROVIDE CULTURAL EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 6.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 98%
- Employees
- 54
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $66,278, executive director
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
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% 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
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 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
0 of 10Did not give 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.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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 (1)
- $1.1 million spent. SHOKOOKAI OF PORTLAND OVERSEES THE OPERATIONS OF THE PORTLAND JAPANESESCHOOL, A KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR JAPANESECHILDREN, SERVING AN AVERAGE OF 327 STUDENTS FOR 46 DAYS OUT OF THEYEAR. THE SCHOOL'S MAIN CURRICULUM FOCUSES ON CONTINUED STUDIES INMATHEMATICS AND JAPANESE LANGUAGE SKILLS. THERE ARE 61 CORPORATEMEMBERS WITH 26 INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTING MEMBERS.SHOKOOKAI ALSO ASSISTS WITH SPONSORING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUTTHE YEAR TO ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE AND RELATIONSHIPS OF THE EXPATRIATEFAMILIES LIVING IN PORTLAND.
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 September 1992.
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.