TCDF is a nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) under the federal law of the United States. Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the Ex-officio Chair person of TCDF. It has five board members, who are appointed by the Kashag. Based in Washington, D.C., TCDF serves to administer programs and events for Tibetans in North America and supports their effort towards preservation of Tibetan culture, religion and language.