The Huairou Commission was legally incorporated in the in state of New York on October 22, 2002 as a not-for-profit corporation. Prior to this determination, it was legally situated in GROOTS International, a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization. On October 29, 2008 the Huairou Commission obtained Federal income tax exempt status as a public charity under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Huairou Commission are tax deductible under section 170 of the Code. The Huairou Commission is also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, and transfers of gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code. 

Huairou Commission has held consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations since 2005 and is associated with the Department of Public Information.