Ewam Choden
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Founded and continuously overseen by Lama Kunga since 1973, Ewam Choden was one of the earliest Tibetan Buddhist centers on the west coast. The Ewam Choden Tibetan Buddhist Center is located in Kensington, a residential community in California.
- Income
- $129,204
- Spending
- $113,829
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 41.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 56%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $33,549, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 95 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 41.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 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)
- $94,007 spent. Under the guidance of the accomplished Vajrayana master and resident teacher,Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche, the center offers a wide variety of classes and activities. Lama Kunga Rinpoche gives regular empowerments and teachings, along with a weekly compassion meditation practice on Sunday mornings. He also holds an occasional series of language classes in speaking, reading, and writing the Tibetan language. The Center hosts visiting Lamas and holds events for special occasions, such as, significant dates in the Tibetan calendar, and Losar, the Tibetan New Year.In the past, Ewam Choden has been visited by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the heads of three other major schools of Tibet, as well as many other lamas. Ewam Choden continues to expand its practice on numerous levels. Students are involved in translating Tibetan texts into English, and Rinpoche has worked diligently in this
- area. Several students have developed skill in creating traditional Buddhist ritual objects and images. The Center is also extremely interested in maintaining close relations with the Tibetan community in India and in the United States.Activities at the Center include:* Meditation: Sunday mornings at 10:00AM and other times. * Classes and seminars on Buddhist teachings and practice* Empowerments* Marriage Ceremony: For those who are interested in Tibetan Buddhism, Rinpoche is certified to perform the traditional Tibetan Buddhist marriage ceremony.* Language classes
- * Private interviews: As scheduled with Rinpoche.* Treasure vasesEWAM CHODEN PROVIDES THESE SERVICES TO WORSHIPPERS IN THE GREATER BAY AREA.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2025, 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 January 2025.
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 June 1972.
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.