Tergar International
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Tergar International does not meet the following 6 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Tergar International does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
Tergar International does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
Tergar International does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2024 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
Tergar International does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2023.
Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.
Tergar International does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://tergar.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- A summary of the organization's 2022 program service accomplishments.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
Tergar International does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, https://tergar.org, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
Tergar International meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to support individuals, practice groups, and meditation communities around the world in learning to live with awareness, compassion, and wisdom."
Year, State Incorporated:
2004, MN
Tergar International reports that it holds online and in-person meditation programs and assists in implementing these practices into everyday life. The organization's global network offers a range of both secular meditation programs and Buddhist study courses to people of all levels and interests. Tergar International states that it works with meditation centers, educational institutions, and medical institutions to develop meditative activities. In addition, the organization reports that it provides financial support for practitioners of meditation to engage in retreat, study, or other necessary training, for the expressed aim of the individual to acquire the appropriate skills necessary to promote meditation and contemplation within spiritual, educational, medical, and social services settings.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, Tergar International's program expenses were:
| Program services | $3,187,144 |
| Total Program Expenses | $3,187,144 |
Chief Executive
Cortland Dahl, Executive Director
Compensation*
$94,500
Chair of the Board
Rasmus Hougaard
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Founder and Managing Director, Potential Project
Board Size
9
Paid Staff Size
62
*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Radio
Fundraising costs were 11% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,727,594, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Tergar International's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Source of Funds
| Miscellaneous income | $1,843 |
| Interest income | $3,109 |
| Royalties | $10,000 |
| Contributions and grants | $1,727,594 |
| Program fees | $2,984,161 |
| Total Income | $4,726,707 |
Programs: 74% Fundraising: 4% Administrative: 22%
| Total Income | $4,726,707 |
| Total expenses: | $4,299,126 |
| Program expenses | $3,187,144 |
| Fundraising expenses | $182,547 |
| Administrative expenses | $929,435 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $427,581 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $2,774,576 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $3,202,157 |
| Total Liabilities | $625,260 |
| Total Assets | $3,827,417 |
Note: According to Tergar International's 2022 audited financial statements, the organization received $94,770 in donated advertising.
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance