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Cultural Homestay International

EIN 94-2404633 · San Rafael, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong91 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP AND GOODWILL THROUGH EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES. THE GOAL OF CHI'S INBOUND PROGRAMS IS TO IMMERSE THE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM OVERSEAS INTO OUR NORTH AMERICAN CULTURE, BUSINESS, AND WAY OF LIFE. CHI'S OUTBOUND PROGRAMS OFFER YOUNG AMERICANS OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN INTIMATELY ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES.

Income
$14.2 million
Spending
$12.1 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
13.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
110
Volunteers
2,500
Highest pay
$264,997, executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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 October 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. $3.2 million spent. THE ACADEMIC YEAR PROGRAM ATTRACTS STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WHO SPEND EITHER A FULL OR PARTIAL ACADEMIC YEAR IN THE USA ATTENDING HIGH SCHOOL AND LIVING WITH VOLUNTEER HOST FAMILIES. WITHIN THIS PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS AN INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM, WHICH IS SCHEDULED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE START OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR TO IMPROVE THE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY OF PARTICIPATING STUDENTS.
  2. $2.9 million spent. THE WORK AND TRAVEL PROGRAM OFFERS OVERSEAS UNIVERSITY STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AT TEMPORARY ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS FOR UP TO FOUR MONTHS. AFTER THEY FINISH THEIR WORK COMMITMENT, PARTICIPANTS HAVE AN OPTIONAL TRAVEL PERIOD TO SIGHTSEE AND FURTHER EXPLORE THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE.
  3. $1.7 million spent. THE INTERNSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM OFFERS STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY WITH A HOST FAMILY AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO A BUSINESS RELATED TO THEIR EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
  4. $2.4 million spent. THE AU PAIR PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH INTERCULTURAL CHILDCARE AND GIVES YOUNG PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A PART OF THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. THE CAMP PROGRAM OFFERS OVERSEAS UNIVERSITY STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AS A CAMP COUNSELOR AT A USA SUMMER CAMP FOR A MINIMUM OF NINE WEEKS.THE MUSEUM OF INTERNATIONAL PROPAGANDA WAS CREATED IN FEBRUARY 2016 TO SHOWCASE 20TH CENTURY POLITICAL ART OF MORE THAN 25 COUNTRIES.THE OUTBOUND PROGRAM TAKES AMERICANS OVERSEAS. PARTICIPANTS STAY WITH HOST FAMILIES WHILE EXPERIENCING THE CULTURE OF THE FOREIGN COUNTRY. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS WORLD EXPLORERS WITHIN THIS PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR U.S. CITIZENS TO BECOME OVERSEAS ENGLISH TUTORS. PARTICIPANTS STAY WITH A HOST FAMILY FOR ONE TO THREE MONTHS AND TEACH THE FAMILY APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN HOURS OF CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH PER WEEK. THE GROUP HOMESTAY PROGRAM BRINGS STUDENTS FROM EIGHT FOREIGN COUNTRIES, GENERALLY OF JUNIOR HIGH OR HIGH SCHOOL AGE, TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) OR CANADA FOR SHORT PERIODS, GENERALLY ONE TO THREE WEEKS. STUDENTS STAY WITH HOST FAMILIES AND PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY THE ORGANIZATION AND THE HOST FAMILIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 November 6, 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 October 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 June 1977.

    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 November 4, 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.