The Ulan Bator Foundation was created on July 24, 1991, by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) when it granted to the Ulan Bator Foundation and Arnold Springer the administrative status of a 501C3 organization, otherwise sometimes called a Non Profit Corporation, and recently also know by its internationalized acronym, NGO, or Non Governmental Organization. It is known by its IRS # 95-43010434.

On Sept 16, 1991, the Franchise Tax Board of the State of California certified the Ulan Bator Foundation as a charitable corporation, registered with the State of California. The Charitable Organization # is: 1488212 UB9F.

Arnold Springer, Professor of History, at California State University, Long Beach, was a resident and community activist in Venice, California, from 1972-1990. He received his Ph.D. in History from UCLA in 1972 with an emphasis on 18th Century Russian History and European History and Literature. He received tenure and rose over time through the ranks to Full Professor. During his over 30 years at California State University, Long Beach, he never had an official complaint lodged against him by colleagues or students, and has never brought any disgrace upon his department or his University. He has always cared for his students, and has been in good faith with them and with his Department and University till this day.

That said: Professor Springer became a Venice Community 'activist' in 1972, and worked with The Beachhead newspaper and the Venice Town Council for 18 years, on weekends and nights. The collective objective of all of the activists was - to empower community.

This Venice activist group had chosen to work within the system to achieve community power. It was not to be. It proved very difficult and then impossible - because of venal political power and development money: Because the business of politics is development. It took 18 years for this strategy to run its course and prove itself out in the negative.

In May 1991 Arnold Springer filed his final administrative appeal of a development project with the ultimate and sovereign administrative entity with jurisdiction in the matter at hand, and left,... on a lark, for a trip to Mongolia.

When he returned to Venice from Mongolia (via Siberia and Japan) in September, 1991, events conspired to present him with an opportunity to create a 501C3, and, after a short consideration, he decided to accept this good fortune and created the Ulan Bator Foundation as a way of giving back to both Mongolia and to Venice and Southern California for his good fortune. He believed that both his community activism and his lark to Mongolia had made this good fortune possible.

Having recognized his good fortune, and the possible worldly sources which had placed him in the position to receive, he wanted to give back by connecting the two geographical places which had so affected his destiny.

A detailed history of the events described above can be found in Issue # 1 of the Voice of Ulan Bator (1992) a 'zine' published by the Foundation and delivered in 10,000 beautiful copies free to the Venice Community, and even to Mongolia, under the article titled: History and Creation of the Ulan Bator Foundation, by Arnold Springer.

In 1992 the Ulan Bator Foundation set up its program in an attempt to achieve the promised connection. These programs have been conceptualized and articulated over the past 10 years. All the programs are healthy and growing. UBF is proud of its programs and proud of the connections that have been made, and we are looking for even more successes in the coming years. Mongolia, Xinjiang, Children, Women, Medicine, Traditional Medicine, Buddhism, Art, English , and Travel and Adventure, are some of the program subjects that we have successful touched upon in the fleshing out of our mission of connection.

That's it. Please review our web site. It seems it is constantly under construction. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Tourism Project

As a key to its strategy, the Foundation is chartered to introduce Mongolian culture to the people of Southern California in the hope that we can be inspired by her light, space, air and horizons.  This strategy includes the planning of several trips to Mongolia and greater Turkistan each summer, attending Mongolia's national independence celebrations and games, and visiting its capital, Ulaanbaatar.   

About Our Travel Program to China and Mongolia

The UBF travel program to Mongolia and China is authorized by our status as a registered charity. We have a 501C3 tax status as a non profit corporation. We are registered with the IRS and the Attorney General's Office, State of California, as as a seller of travel. A small percentage of the cost of each tour purchased can be claimed as a tax deductible contribution. Most of the price for each tour however goes to pay for services provided in China and Mongolia by our partners, or for trans pacific airfare. These costs are not tax deductible. 

Medical Project

The Foundation administers two medical assistance programs, one to Mongolia, and another to China.  These programs aim to link medical professionals in Southern California with their counter parts in Mongolia and Xinjiang, P.R.C; to help each other, learn from each other, and to be inspired by each other.

The Foundation also collects donated medical supplies and equipment for the Children's Hospital (MCHRC) in Ulaanbaatar, and for the Altair City hospital in Xinjiang, P.R.C.  It has two medical programs, California- Mongolia; and California- Xinjiang. CaMMP

Please feel free to contact the Foundation about its mission, current activities, and program at the following address:

Ulan Bator Foundation
PO Box 3059 
Venice, CA 90294

or via e-mail at: ulanbator@venice-ca.com

Board of Directors:

Arnold Springer
President 1990 -
Venice, Ca

Chuck Bloomquist
Member 1990 -
Venice, Ca

Sande Cohen
Member 1990 -
Venice, Ca

Ed Mendelsohn (Honorary)
Member 1990 - 1993
Venice, Ca

Mary Lou Johnson (Honorary)
Member 1999 - 1997
Venice, Ca

Richard MacKenzie
Member 1996 -
Manhattan Beach, Ca

Wade Piston (Honorary)
Member 1996 - 2002
Hermosa Beach, Ca


Mason & Gatto
CPA 1990 -
Westchester