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Hawaii Rural Water Association

EIN 27-0711752 · Waikoloa, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL AND SMALL MUNICIPALITIES IN THE STATE OF HAWAII BY PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO NON- PROFIT PUBLIC WATER, WASTE AND LIKE UTILITIES.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 84%
Employees
16
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$110,045, executive di

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: 51 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 79% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $393,694 spent. THE CIRCUIT RIDER SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE OPERATION OF RURAL WATER SYSTEMS.
  2. $381,794 spent. THE WASTEWATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING PROGRAM PROVIDES FULL-TIME WASTEWATER TECHNICIAN ASSISTANCE/TRAINING. THESE TECHNICIANS PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/TRAINING TO SYSTEM OPERATORS IN THE AREAS OF WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT, FACILITY OPERATIONS/MAINTENANCE, SYSTEM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, AND CONSERVATION ISSUES.
  3. $162,691 spent. THE SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROJECT FACILITATES LOCAL SOURCE WATER PROTECTION TEAMS OF KEY PARTIES TO CREATE LOCAL SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTION OF VOLUNTARY PROTECTION MEASUIRES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
  4. $371,830 spent. THE DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII.
  5. THE DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2018.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: National Rural Water Association (Duncan, OK), EIN 73-1006395. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.