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Mahakaruna Foundation

EIN 93-0845103 · Cazadero, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The organization's primary exempt purpose is to provide service to the refugee and destitute peoples of Buddhist countries, to preserve Buddhist teachings and the cultural/religious heritage of those who follow the teachings.

Income
$118,731
Spending
$163,965
Reserves
14.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 38% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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, 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 (9)
  1. $52,657 spent. Support for the education, training, housing, medical and physical care, and food for Buddhist teachers/practitioners.
  2. $27,173 spent. Provided funds to assist with the reconstruction and repair of a monastery that was severely damaged by fire
  3. $22,696 spent. Provided support for Buddhist education programs in Asia
  4. $17,837 spent. Akshobhya meditation practice and mantra recitation by monastics holding vows of poverty was done for 165 beings, and 60 sacred images of the Buddha Akshobhya were created.
  5. $11,655 spent. Provided funds for monastics holding vows of poverty to conduct religious ceremonies on behalf of all beings.
  6. $5,193 spent. The lives of 57 yaks were ransomed so that these animals can live out their lives in peace, while supporting nomadic families with milk and hair (they will now not be slaughtered for meat or used as beasts of burden).
  7. $4,642 spent. Support for monasteries which provide housing, food, education, and other care to monastics holding vows of poverty
  8. $4,088 spent. General support of monastics holding vows of poverty (food, clothing, housing)
  9. $1,000 spent. Provided funds to help with the repair and reconstruction of a water system for a Himalayan community.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 December 1983.

    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.