Dhammachai Foundation
Dhammachai Foundation is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. Its stated mission is to support the dissemination of Buddhism and Dhammakaya meditation, manage assets of U.S. member organizations, and support religious and charitable organizations as deemed appropriate.
Key facts about Dhammachai Foundation
In short: Dhammachai Foundation gave $128K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), top state California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 87-4002425
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $127,887
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- Average grant
- $11,626
- Median grant
- $9,473
- Total assets
- $1,234,409
- Primary geography
- California (33% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$1.2M
+471.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$128K
+59.9% YoY
Grant Count
11
+1000.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
-85.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “to support and direct dissemination of Buddhism and Dhammakaya Meditation, to manage assets of member organizations in the United States and to support religious organizations and charitable organizations as deemed appropriate.”
Its filing describes a meditation and educational grant program supporting 13 religious nonprofits that share a Dhammakaya meditation-based approach. Activities include meditation sessions and classes, Buddhist education, youth summer camps, and retreats. Other described programs support Buddhist temples and monastic communities, ordination in Thailand, Buddhist ethics education, and meditation initiatives.
The 2025 grants included meditation centers. Among those grantees, Oregon Meditation Center describes its mission as operating and maintaining a temple to provide Buddhist practices, charitable contributions, and services. Meditation Center of Texas describes its mission as worshipping and praising Buddha, counseling, meditation for world peace, and community services.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $127,887. Grant amounts ranged from $9,473 to $33,157, with a median of $9,473.
How to Apply
or unsolicited-request policy is stated in the available information.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports grant dollars distributed among recipients in several states. The largest reported shares were California (33%), Florida (15%), and Minnesota, Georgia, and Illinois (7% each). Named 2025 recipients were also located in Oregon, Kansas, New Jersey, and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2024) to $486K (2023). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $128K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Dhammakaya Meditation Center San Diego ($33K). Together the top 10 received $118K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 12 (92%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dhammakaya Meditation Center San Diego San Diego, CA | To set up a new center. Funds to support conducting meditation and buddhist study classes, retreat programs, and youth summer camp. | $33,157 |
| Minnesota Meditation Center Osseo, MN | Funds to support conducting meditation and buddhist study classes, retreat programs, and youth summer camp. | $9,473 |
| Florida Meditation Center Plant City, FL | Funds to support conducting meditation and buddhist study classes, retreat programs, and youth summer camp. | $9,473 |
| Dhammakaya Meditation Center Silicon Valley Morgan Hill, CA | Funds to support conducting meditation and buddhist study classes, retreat programs, and youth summer camp. | $9,473 |
| Georgia Meditation Center Atlanta, GA | Funds to support conducting meditation and buddhist study classes, retreat programs, and youth summer camp. | $9,473 |
| Meditation Center of Chicago Chicago, IL | Funds to support conducting meditation and buddhist study classes, retreat programs, and youth summer camp. | $9,473 |
| Oregon Meditation Center Portland, OR | Funds to support conducting meditation and buddhist study classes, retreat programs, and youth summer camp. | $9,473 |
| Dhammakaya Meditation Center Kansas Wichita, KS | Funds to support conducting meditation and buddhist study classes, retreat programs, and youth summer camp. | $9,473 |
| Dhammakaya Int'l Meditation Ctr New Jersey Fanwood, NJ | Funds to support conducting meditation and buddhist study classes, retreat programs, and youth summer camp. | $9,473 |
| Meditation Center of Texas Arlington, TX | Funds to support conducting meditation and buddhist study classes, retreat programs, and youth summer camp. | $9,473 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,234,409 | $1,980,868 | $958,013 | $127,887 (11 grants) |
| 2024 | $216,054 | $601,814 | $857,734 | $80,000 (1 grant) |
| 2023 | $471,974 | $545,742 | $586,876 | No grants reported (0 grants) |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,234,409 | $216,054 | $471,974 |
| Revenue | $1,980,868 | $601,814 | $545,742 |
| Expenses | $958,013 | $857,734 | $586,876 |
| Net Investment Income | $83 | $1,595 | $45 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 11, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 26, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 31, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Wuttipong Sawetchai as treasurer; Phramaha Somboon Jongpatra as president; Phrahanchai Laepong as secretary; and Phrabhandit Sudhipan, Tawalsak Boonsiriwatanakul, and Phrasivet Kijkanjanapaiboon as directors.
Dhammachai Foundation is led by Phramaha Somboon Jongpatra, President on every filing since 2022; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Phramaha Somboon Jongpatra
President
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phrabhandit Sudhipan
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phrasivet Kijkanjanapaiboon
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tawalsak Boonsiriwatanakul
Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wuttipong Sawetchai
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
$17K (2023) → $17K (2025)
Phrahanchai Laepong
Secretary
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Phrawitsanu Samuhawinyu (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Phra Tawalsak Boonsiriwattanakul (2024) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $17K, to Wuttipong Sawetchai (Treasurer).
Contact
Mailing address: 5849 N Nina Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631
Phone: (773) 433-6100
Website: https://dhammakayameditation.org
Frequently asked questions about Dhammachai Foundation
How much does Dhammachai Foundation give each year?
Dhammachai Foundation gave $128K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $80K across 1 grant.
What is Dhammachai Foundation's typical grant size?
Dhammachai Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $9,473, and its average grant was $11,626, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Dhammachai Foundation give grants?
Dhammachai Foundation's top state is California, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Florida (15%) and Minnesota (7%).
Does Dhammachai Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Dhammachai Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Dhammachai Foundation's largest grantees?
Dhammachai Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Dhammakaya Meditation Center San Diego ($33,157), Minnesota Meditation Center ($9,473) and Florida Meditation Center ($9,473), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Dhammachai Foundation?
Dhammachai Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.0M.
What does Dhammachai Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “to support and direct dissemination of Buddhism and Dhammakaya Meditation, to manage assets of member organizations in the United States and to support religious organizations and charitable organizations as deemed appropriate.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dhammachai Foundation?
Dhammachai Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check dhammakayameditation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Dhammachai Foundation's EIN?
Dhammachai Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-4002425. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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