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Passes our checks

Malama Maunalua

EIN 36-4671116 · Honolulu, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CONSERVE & RESTORE MAUNALUA BAY BY INFORMING, ENGAGING, & EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY & BY FORMING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH GOVERNMENT & NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 81%
Employees
20
Volunteers
2,294
Highest pay
$127,198, 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 103% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $1.4 million spent. HO'O NUI I'A (COMMUNITY INITIATIVE, SCIENCE & PLANNING) - RESTORATION OF MARINE RESOURCES TO THE BAY. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED FACILITATING COMMUNITY MEETINGS WITH AREA FISHERMEN TO BEGIN DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE BAY & INSTALLATION OF INFORMATIONAL & ENFORCEMENT SIGNAGE AT KEY BEACH ACCESS RIGHT OF WAYS IN THE REGION
  2. $165,124 spent. HUKI (REMOVING INVASIVE & ALIEN ALGAE) - HABITAT RESTORATION EFFORT TO REMOVE INVASIVE MUDWEED, ALGAE, & SEAWEED FROM THE BAY WHICH IS TRANSFORMED INTO PRODUCTIVE SOIL ENRICHMENT BY AREA FARMERS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED RECRUITING COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS FROM NEIGHBORHOODS, SCHOOLS & AREA BUSINESSES TO EXPAND THE AREA CLEARED, MONITORING & MAINTAINING CLEARED AREAS & DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ALSO WORKING TO RESTORE THE BAY.
  3. $331,793 spent. MALAMA MAUNALUA IS UNDERTAKING TERRESTRIAL WATERSHED MITIGATION TO REDUCE THE VOLUME OF STORMWATER RUNOFF AND POLLUTION CONTAINED THERIN FROM REACHING MAUNALUA BAY

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 July 2010.

    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.