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Surfing the Nations

EIN 20-0245026 · Wahiawa, HI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SURFING THE NATIONS IMPACTS COMMUNITIES THROUGH LEADERSHIP TRAINING, SELFLESS SERVICE, AND ACTION SPORTS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED WITH OUR PROGRAM FOR AT RISK YOUTH, FEEDING THE HUNGRY, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
0
Volunteers
283

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    5 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. INTERNATIONALLY PROMOTING THE SPORT OF SURFING AMOUNG THE YOUTH AND INDIVIDUALS IN UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES, WITH A VIEW TOWARD FOSTERING THE CONCEPT OF A HEALTHY PERSON AND A CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. IN HAWAII, WE ARE WORKING WITH AT RISK YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH A FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP TRAINING, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, AND DEVELOPING A DESIRE AND BELIEF FOR A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING, AS WELL AS TEACHING THEM TO SWIM AND SURF ON OAHU. OUR FOOD DISTRIBUION PROGRAMS REACHED OVER 450 PEOPLE PER WEEK AT TWO LOCATIONS. APPORXIMATELY 24,000 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED SOME BENEFIT FROM OUR VARIOUS PROGRAMS. SINCE THE COMPLETION OF OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND TRAINING CENTER IN 2017, THE PROGRAMS TO AT RISK YOUTH HAVE BEEN RADICALLY ENHANCED WITH THE OPENING OF THE ART ROOM WHICH CATERS TO THE KIDS PROGRAM. OUR FEEDING PROGRAM IS EQUIPPED WITH A BEAUTIFUL FOOD PANTRY SET UP TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO THE HUNGRY. A PUBLIC SHOWER AND BATHROOM IS AVAILABLE FOR THE HOMELESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.