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Malama Learning Center

EIN 20-0442056 · Honolulu, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE COMMUNITIES TO CARE FOR HAWAII BY PERPETUATING CONSERVATION, CULTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH EDUCATION.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$961,803
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 40%
Employees
13
Volunteers
500

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 81% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 58 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (5)
  1. $325,325 spent. OLA NA KINI: OLA NA KINI IS THE MALAMA LEARNING CENTER'S (MLC) CORE INITIATIVE, FOCUSED ON HEALING THE LAND, THE OCEAN, AND THE MULTITUDE OF LIFE THROUGH ACTIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION. THIS PRIMARY PROGRAM INCLUDES GROWING PLANTS IN PROJECT NURSERIES, RUNNING SCHOOL PROGRAMS DIRECTLY AT RESTORATION SITES, PROVIDING CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP INTERNSHIPS, IMPLEMENTING WILDFIRE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, HOSTING NATIVE PLANT ADOPTION EVENTS, AND ORGANIZING MONTHLY COMMUNITY WORK DAYS.
  2. $425,051 spent. AINA-BASED EDUCATION IS A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL APPROACH UTILIZED BY MLC BOTH AT ITS PRIMARY SITES AND THROUGHOUT THE WIDER COMMUNITY. THIS INITIATIVE FOCUSES ON CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND STEWARDSHIP. PROGRAM COMPONENTS INCLUDE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, COORDINATION OF ANNUAL LARGE-SCALE EVENTS SUCH AS ARBOR DAY AND EARTH DAY, AND MULTI-DAY COMMUNITY OUTREACH VIA THE HOAKEA MAUKA TO MAKAI NAVIGATING OUR FUTURE PROGRAM, A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT WITH THE HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (HIDOE) AND OTHER PARTNERS.
  3. $34,412 spent. SPECIAL PROJECTS ENCOMPASS SHORT-TERM, SPECIFIC INITIATIVES CONDUCTED BY MLC TYPICALLY OUTSIDE OF ITS MAIN LOCATION IN WEST OAHU. THESE PROJECTS OFTEN INVOLVE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND FIELD TRIP COORDINATION FOR EDUCATIONAL GROUPS.
  4. $131,895 spent. VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAM INCLUDE OUTSIDE HAWAI'I - MALAMA LEARNING CENTER PRODUCES A MONTHLY EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION SHOW ON OC16 THAT TELLS STORIES ABOUT CONSERVATION OF ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE IN HAWAI'I AND THE PACIFIC.
  5. VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAM INCLUDE OUTSIDE HAWAI'I - MALAMA LEARNING CENTER PRODUCES A MONTHLY EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION SHOW ON OC16 THAT TELLS STORIES ABOUT CONSERVATION OF ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE IN HAWAI'I AND THE PACIFIC.

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 October 13, 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 July 2004.

    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 October 21, 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.