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The Institute of Buddhist Studies Inc

EIN 94-1700607 · Berkeley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE GRADUATE LEVEL EDUCATION IN THE FULL BREADTH OF THE BUDDHIST TRADITION WITH SPECIALIZED EDUCATION SUPPORTING PURE LAND AND CONTEMPORARY SHIN BUDDHIST STUDIES, WHILE ADVANCING JODO SHINSHU BUDDHIST MINISTRY AND BUDDHIST CHAPLAINCY.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
25
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$170,464, accountant

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

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% 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 67% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 March 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 (2)
  1. $1.3 million spent. TO PROVIDE GRADUATE LEVEL DEGREE PROGRAMS IN BUDDHIST STUDIES CULMINATING WITH MASTER OF ART, MASTER OF BUDDHIST STUDIES OR MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREES TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR BUDDHIST MINISTRY OR CHAPLAINCY. A RANGE OF CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AND CAN BE COMPLETED BASED ON THE STUDENT'S AREA OF SPECIALIZATION (BUDDHIST CHAPLAINCY, SHIN BUDDHISM CERTIFICATE, BUDDHISM AND CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY, AND THERAVADA BUDDHIST STUDIES). SPONSOR PUBLIC LECTURES, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES AND SYMPOSIA, PUBLISH JOURNALS, TRANSLATE ARTICLES, AND LECTURES.
  2. $63,617 spent. DORMITORY-STYLE HOUSING IS MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 September 2018.

    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.