The Gyan Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Gyan Foundation is dedicated to preserving and disseminating the teachings of the Buddha in general and those of the glorious Sakyapa tradition in particular.
- Income
- $438,042
- Spending
- $472,241
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 27.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 27.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 35% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 46 out of 100.
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 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, 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)
- $300,000 spent. Sakya Temple of Peace (Canberra, Australia) - Assisted with the construction of the Sakya Temple of Peace. The goal of the Sakya Temple of Peace is to become a national center of peace and healing, and a place where people from all walks of life can learn meditation and hear the precious teachings of the Buddha. The Sakya Temple of Peace will also serve as an important meeting place for the Australian Tibetan Community; a place to preserve, promote and practice the Tibetan language and culture. They also have a growing number of enthusiastic Australian students who are currently studying the Tibetan language, and engaged in various religious translation works.
- $80,100 spent. Mahamaya Foundation (Nepal) - Assisted with acquisition of land for the construction of a monastery and school. The aim of the Mahamaya Foundation is to provide a free modern education alongside a traditional Buddhist education to children from the Himalayan region.
- $50,000 spent. Sakya Choekhorling (Toronto Canada) - Assisted with expenses for the purchases and renovation of the prayer hall, safety enhancements, flooring, lighting, etc. This helped establish a religious and cultural center for the community, accommodate a larger congregation for worship and fellowship, provide a venue for religious ceremonies, festivals, and community programs, support educational activities for youth and families.
- $32,000 spent. The Gyan Foundation issued a grant to India for Buddhist educational institutions, temples and monasteries
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1992.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.