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Vibrant Hawaii

EIN 85-3693179 · Hilo, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

VIBRANT HAWAI'I IS A GROWING COMMUNITY THAT COMMITS TO INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE 'AUAMO KULEANA TO INCREASE EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD WEALTH: A RESERVOIR OF HUMAN, SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND FINANCIAL CAPITAL THAT WE CONTRIBUTE TO AND DRAW UPON. AN AFFINITY COLLECTIVE FORMED AROUND A COMMON VISION OF A THRIVING HAWAII ISLAND WHERE ALL PEOPLE HAVE CHOICE, VOICE, AND CONNECTION.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 74%
Employees
20
Volunteers
700
Highest pay
$114,775, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (3)
  1. $2.5 million spent. THE RESILIENCE NETWORK WHICH INCLUDES HUBS, ALLIANCE PARTNERS, COMMUNITY POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION, AND THE RESILIENCE TRAINING CENTER EMPOWERS RESIDENTS TO IMPLEMENT HYPER-LOCAL SOLUTIONS FOR COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. HUBS ARE POWERED BY TRUSTED COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO PROVIDE ACCESS TO SERVICES, PROGRAMS, RESOURCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO IMPLEMENT PLACE BASED, CULTURALLY INFORMED STRATEGIES THAT INCREASE INDIVIDUAL AND ISLANDWIDE RESILIENCE.
  2. $180,792 spent. OAKA AIMS TO ADDRESS THE OPPORTUNITY GAP THAT EXISTS FOR MANY HAWAII ISLAND YOUTH THAT HINDER EMPLOYMENT MOBILITY, REDUCE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND DEEPEN INEQUITY. OAKA OFFERS EXPERIENCES THAT EMPOWER HAWAII ISLAND YOUTH TO EMBRACE THEIR KULEANA, AND LEAD WITH ALOHA, TURNING TODAY'S PIO INTO TOMORROW'S ALAKAI.
  3. $84,912 spent. THE ECONOMY STREAM ADVANCES ECONOMIC DIVERSITY THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. IN 2023, VIBRANT HAWAII LAUNCHED A 12-MONTH ART FELLOWSHIP WHICH FOCUSES ON INCREASING BUSINESS ACUMEN AND SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING FOR ARTIST ENTREPRENEURS.

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 2021.

    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.