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Tibetan Association of Northern California

EIN 94-3350817 · Richmond, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF TANC IS TO PRESERVE THE TIBETAN CULTURE AND TO PROMOTE SELF-RULE IN TIBET. TO THIS END, TANC SEEKS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT TIBET IN THE UNITED STATES AND TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF TIBETAN SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC TRADITIONS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

Income
$457,765
Spending
$444,287
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 52%
Employees
0
Volunteers
260

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

Financial health

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 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 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
  1. $99,098 spent. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF STARTING THE TIBETAN SCHOOL BY THE TIBETAN ASSOCIATION WAS FOR PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THE TIBETAN LANGUAGE, CULTURAL, SPIRITUAL, TRADITIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO OFFER THE CLASSES.
  2. $101,553 spent. TANC CONTINUED ITS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY IN PROVIDING ONGOING EVENTS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS. TANC CELEBRATED TIBETAN NEW YEAR, TIBETAN UPRISING DAY, HIS HOLINESS BIRTHDAY, AND TIBETAN CALLIGRAPHY DAY. TANC CONTINUES TO CELEBRATE THE CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH PRAYER MEETING, EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT, AND SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS AND LECTURES AND TRADITIONAL EVENTS.
  3. $58,250 spent. THE TIBETAN COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2007 WITH FUNDING FROM THE BETSY GORDON FOUNDATION. THE ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDES PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO FULL-TIME TIBETAN STUDENTS RESIDING IN NO CALIFORNIA. THE SCHOLARSHIP HELPS YOUNG TIBETANS TO ATTAIN THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS AND ASSUME LEADERSHIP ROLES. IN 2022 TANC AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO 24 STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2020 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2020.

    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 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 May 2021.

    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.