Hawaii Leadership Forum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Hawaii Leadership Forum is dedicated to developing, engaging, and inspiring leaders to drive impact and catalyze positive change.
- Income
- $4.0 million
- Spending
- $3.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- 2.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 4
- Highest pay
- $400,000, president
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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% 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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $2.4 million spent. Omidyar Fellows - In 2024, sixteen Omidyar Fellows were selected for Cohort IX and their 9-month curriculum kicked off in September. The curriculum develops stronger leaders, more effective organizations, and cross-sector connections that are necessary to collectively create broad and durable improvements in Hawaii. Fellows continue with 3 Practicum sessions after the initial curriculum phase as change agents in service to address the most significant problems facing Hawaii as part of the Forum of Fellows Network. This ongoing and enduring element of the Omidyar Fellows program fosters further collaboration and continues to equip Fellows with the skills and supports that enable them to improve the quality of life for Hawaii's residents.
- $128,876 spent. Leaders Lab - Leaders Lab is a new initiative started in 2024 that provides a more accessible way for emerging leaders to further their leadership skills to meet the challenges of today. The 2024 Labs were organized into five thematic groups that convened on Oahu as part of one-day, annual intensives over three years: Community Organizers & Nonprofit Leaders; Educators & Academic Leaders; Health, Science, and Technology Leaders; Entrepreneurs, Business, and Labor Leaders; and Public Officials and Government Leaders. The five Labs had 99 participants in total and were each co-facilitated by 3 Omidyar Fellows.
- $18,409 spent. Systems Sensing and Impact - Facilitated systems thinking, mapping, and other systems practices to gain clarity on complex issues, identify leverage points for systems change, inform strategic intent, create learning and adaption plans, and expand collaborative opportunities.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2018.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.