Woodenfish Foundation

Overview

Mission

Woodenfish aims to establish a global network of ethical and compassionate professionals, scholars, and leaders through education, primarily through promoting Chinese Buddhist philosophy and incorporation in modern life.

What it reported doing in 2024

June 21-23, 2024 Buddhism, Science and FutureAI Grand Hotel, Taipei, TaiwanThe Woodenfish hosted a summit, Buddhism, Consciousness and AI Summit with panel discussion regarding AI and Buddhism. Panel discussion including 1.Buddhist Consciousness and Modern Science -This panel considers the mechanisms behind and products of mindfulness practices and its detractors2.AI and the Buddhist Ethics - This panel discusses the ethical implications of technological developments from Buddhist philosophical perspectives.3.AI and Buddhist Metaphysics -This panel thinks about the possibilities and limitations of AI from Buddhist philosophical understandings of intelligence, karma, and consciousness.4.Application of AI and Buddhism -This panel explores AI application in Buddhist spaces and Buddhist application in AI spaces.5.AI and Buddhist Future - This panel weighs the possibilities of using AI toward Buddhist goals/ discusses positive relationships between AI and humans moving forwardThe panelists including Co Abbot of San Fransico Zen Center, professors and director from various universities, author of Buddhist book, founding & program director of AI related labs and programs.

Operating model

Revenue model
Donor-supported. 74% of the money available for current operations came from contributions and gifts.
Distribution model
Direct operator. The nonprofit carried out 100% of its reported program work directly.

Nonprofit profile at a glance

EIN
261616887
IRS 990 coverage
2024–2024
Forms available
Form 990 2024, Form 990-N 2023
Headquarters
Arcadia, CA, USA
Rating
54
Verdict
MIXED
Rating confidence
Limited
Sector
Scholarships, Student Financial Aid Services, Awards
Affiliation
Buddhism

Official website

The verdict

MIXED - The filed numbers largely add up and revenue comfortably covers expenses. A relatively small share of available resources goes toward mission work and a relatively small share of voting board members are independent.

Rating breakdown

  • Financial Efficiency: 46
  • Transparency & Controls: 100
  • Accountability: 6
  • Sustainability: 80
  • Growth: NotEnoughData

Detailed rating inputs

Financial Efficiency

  • Mission deployment rate: 29.3%; rating input score 29
  • Program expense ratio: 72.7%; rating input score 73
  • Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

  • Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
  • Pay-setting controls: Limited
  • Foreign activity oversight: Limited
  • Grant itemization coverage: Limited
  • Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
  • Related-party transparency: Limited
  • Public monitoring controls: Limited
  • Public policy transparency: Limited
  • Public financial transparency: Limited
  • Impact reporting controls: Limited
  • Public relationship transparency: Limited

Accountability

  • Independent voting board: 0%; rating input score 0; 7th percentile among comparable filings
  • Governance controls: 1 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 14
  • Public governance controls: Limited
  • Zakat policy transparency: Limited

Sustainability

  • Operating margin: 59.6%; rating input score 94; 94th percentile among comparable filings
  • Operating reserve ratio: 2.25; rating input score 62; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
  • Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings
  • Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

  • Program expense growth: Limited
  • Revenue growth: Limited
  • Asset growth: Limited

Details

  • Where the money goes: 29.3% of revenue deployed · 72.7% of spending went to programs
  • Governance: 0 of 3 board members independent · 1 of 7 filing controls reported
  • Programs: 7 filed program accomplishments · $80K in reported program spending
  • Leadership: top reported pay $0 · 3 people listed
  • Consistency: 14 of 14 current checks pass
  • Schedules: 3 filed schedules · includes major donors
  • Contacts: How to reach this organization
  • Money network: Resolved incoming and outgoing counterparties from filed money flows.
  • Grant readiness: Federal tax and exclusion status, award history, and grant-maker relationships.
  • People: Everyone the filings name, and which of them the filings identify by more than a name.