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Risehi Foundation

EIN 82-2170434 · Kailua, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RISEHI FOUNDATION EXISTS TO EXPAND EQUITY AND ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH IN HAWAI'I. BY BUILDING A PLATFORM THAT AMPLIFIES THE REAL STORIES OF KAMA'AINA LEADERS AND PROFESSIONALS, WE SHIFT MINDSETS AND HELP LOCAL STUDENTS SEE THEIR FUTURE IN HAWAI'I-NOT AWAY FROM IT. THROUGH CULTURALLY GROUNDED CURRICULUM AND INNOVATIVE ONLINE LEARNING TOOLS, WE PREPARE STUDENTS TO EXPLORE CAREERS, BUILD SKILLS, AND BELIEVE IN THEIR POTENTIAL TO THRIVE.

Income
$169,899
Spending
$233,084
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$30,000, executive director

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • 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

    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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $112,443 spent. IN 2024, RISEHI LAUNCHED MAKE IT HAPPEN, A SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING CURRICULUM FOCUSED ON MINDSET, MOTIVATION, AND LOCAL ROLE MODELS. THE PROGRAM REACHED 1,200+ STUDENTS ACROSS SCHOOLS INCLUDING KAPA'A MIDDLE, SAINT LOUIS, NIU VALLEY, AND WAIMEA HIGH SCHOOL.
  2. $83,110 spent. RISEHI LAUNCHED ITS SECOND PROGRAM, 'OIHANA CAREER EXPLORATIONS, TO INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO A WIDE RANGE OF CAREER PATHS THROUGH VIDEO-BASED MODULES. PILOTS BEGAN AT KAPA'A MIDDLE SCHOOL AND AIEA HIGH SCHOOL, WITH FURTHER EXPANSION PLANNED FOR 2025.WE PRODUCED FIVE NEW 'OIHANA COURSES SPOTLIGHTING PROFESSIONALS IN PHARMACY TECH, HOSPITAL AIDE, GENERAL CONTRACTING, GRAPHIC DESIGN, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. THESE COURSES FEATURE KAMA'AINA VOICES AND PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH ACCESSIBLE, REAL-LIFE INSIGHT INTO DIVERSE CAREERS.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2020 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2021.

    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 March 2022.

    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.