Bottles4college
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Bottles4College is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization that collects recyclable cans and bottles to help protect the planet and help fund college tuition for kids in Hawaii. To date, the Organization has now diverted over 150,000 lbs of cans and bottles from potentially becoming trash to being recycled, with nearly 2.5 million cans and bottles recycled. The 4 Pillars of Bottles4College are Education, Environment, Community, and Lifestyle.
- Income
- $45,061
- Spending
- $69,191
- Reserves
- 7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 54% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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)
- $33,845 spent. In 2025, the organization collected and recycled approx 452,831 cans and bottles to protect the environment. To date, the organization has tried diverting over 150,000 lbs of trash from becoming landfill or ocean pollution through recycling. Majority of our expenses are used in order to accomplish large-scale recycling.
- $7,884 spent. Environmental education hours via community events and speaking events. Educational hours totaling over 75 hrs. 250+ community volunteer hours for students throughout the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Community members were also provided volunteer opportunities. Community Volunteer events were created and given to Corporate employees of corporations enhancing their green initiatives.
- $27,462 spent. Bottles4College provides college scholarships for high school graduating students in Hawaii funded by environmental efforts. College scholarships were awarded to 7 Hawaii high school graduating students. $18,500 total has been awarded in 2025. Scholarships have been granted since 2023 and funded as the organization receives invoices from universities. $24,462.12 were funded in 2025 for scholarships. Non-disbursed funds are saved and reserved for future funding. Program service expenses include $18523.53 in funded scholarships and grants.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 August 2021.
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.