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Henry Kapono Foundation

EIN 83-0567345 · Honolulu, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To support and empower Hawaii's music industry to thrive through programs, grants, education and resources.

Income
$287,638
Spending
$270,047
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$30,000, executive dir.

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% 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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 (1)
  1. $218,344 spent. The HKF PROGRAM categories include: social needs, education, music development, and business. Dedicated to empowering individuals as a whole, we aim to uplift both musical abilities and overall well-being through growth opportunities, skill development, and community engagement, fostering confidence and resilience for fulfilling lives.MELE - Sponsorships, Work, Grants, MentoringKOKUA - Assistance, Relief, & Social ServicesKUKUI - Music & Business Industry ResourcesIMUA - Music Education Scholarships, & Grants______________________________2023 OVERVIEW2023 marked HKFs 5th year! The HKF has achieved significant milestones, demonstrating resilience and making a meaningful impact during one of the most challenging times of our generation. Since inception, HKF has provided over $350,000 in financial aid & assistance to over 400 Musicians and their families, creating meaningful work opportunities for nearly 1000 musicians and industry workers. In 2023 specifically, the HKF continued its dedication to advancing the music industry through expanded resources and programs, forging new Partnerships and launching new Grants & Scholarships. However, due to the August 8, 2023 wildfires in Maui, there was a shift in focus to the Music Community on that island, with 2 major fundraisers and launch of the We Are Friends Maui (WAFM) Emergency Grocery Card Program. HKF Refined Guiding Pillars to EMPWR. The HKF further fine-tuned & defined guiding pillars, Every HKF Program and service embodies and upholds the fundamental values of Educate, Malama, Partner, Work, and Resources. These pillars provide the basis for the HKF Acts of Aloha (Giving), in the form of Programs, Grants, Scholarships, and Resources. HKF PROGRAMSMELE PROGRAMS Empowering Hawaiis Music Community to thrive through facilitating live event sponsorships, meaningful work & mentoring programs, and providing mele (music) grants coming in 2024. THE ON THE RISE (OTR) PROGRAM The OTR program was launched in January 2023. OTR is dedicated to elevating Hawaiis musicians early in their careers as professional entertainers. Through community partnerships and resources, the OTR program provides mentorship, meaningful work & performance opportunities. oTwelve On the Rise Artists were admitted into the inaugural year of the program. oHKF provided Artists with 75 paid events and meaningful work to showcase their talents at fair market compensation. These events included: First Hawaiian Banks First Fridays is a fully funded lunchtime music event that featured 11 On the Rise Acts & 11 HFK Event Manager/Sound Technician, on the first Friday of each month starting on March 3, 2023, with two shows in December 2023. Duke's on Thursdays Started on November 2, 2023, as a weekly concert at Dukes Waikiki, which employed and featured 9 On the Rise Acts and 9 HKF Event Managers each Thursday through the end of the year, continuing into 2024. MELE WORK PROGRAM HKF continued to Empower Hawaiis Music Community to thrive through partnering with like-minded organizations to provide work opportunities for Hawaiis legendary, established, and up & coming entertainers through live events and organizations looking for talent. The HKFs objective is to continue to support work opportunities for Hawaii's music industry and entertainers by partnering and supporting select music events that offer Hawaiis music industry gainful employment. 199 (75 specific to OTR) quality musical gigs and a catalyst in providing in excess of 260 Music Industry Professionals meaningful work due to HKF initiatives. HKF work events included:oLes Jardin ARTFEST sponsored work for 9 entertainers on May 13, 2023 including 2 OTR, 1 sound technician and 1 HKF event manager for entertainment during their annual student-family art festival. Additionally, Les Jardin Academy donated $2,500 toward HKFs general Fund. oMake Music Day partnered with the HKF to have musicians showcase their talents across Oahu on June 21, 2023, with a featured lunchtime concert with 4 musicians that included 1 OTR, and in addition, 1 HKF Event Manager/Sound Technician and 2 Legends who donated their service to the cause.oDon Ho August 11, 2023. The event employed 2 HKF OTR acts plus 1 HKF event manager in honor of Don Hos Birthday.KUKUI (RESOURCES). THE MUSICIANS TOOLBOX Offering Entertainment Resources & Information for Royalty Management Services and Organizations that benefit the music industry professional. The HKF Digital Resources were accessed by 962 total visits which included 543 unique visits in 2023. Pages accessed:oManaging Music Catalog & Royalties: Registering & Publishing Your Work for Maximum Music Revenue PotentialoDigital Music Platforms: Online Platforms to Help Increase Your Audience ReachoDigital Music Distributors & Replicators: Digital Distribution, Design, Authoring, Mastering, Digital & Physical ReplicationoMusic Industry & Supporting Organizations: Organizations Invested in the Future & Support of Musicians and the Music IndustryoBusiness Resources: How to Start & Register Your Business in Hawai`iSPONSORSHIPS. The HKF continued their commitment to keeping live music events alive by providing financial support for qualified events with a focus on live music showcasing Hawaiis entertainment. In 2023, the HKF awarded funds to compensate artists at 5 prestigious events that included: oGabby Pahinui Waimanalo Kanikapila Music Festival for over 70 entertainersoWindward Community Colleges Makana Mele for 8 featured entertainersoKamehameha Day Parade featured 2 On the Rise Artists and provided lunch for up to 50 entertainersoHonolulu Zoos Wildest Show Concert Series. HKF sponsored the On the Rise opening acts for 6 summer shows.oMerry Christmas to You Concert. HKF sponsored 8 On the Rise Acts, 4 acts featured between two shows. KOKUA PROGRAMSHKF expanded the Kokua (assistance and relief) Program to music industry professionals in need, including financial assistance & information, access to social services in the fi

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 October 2018.

    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.