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Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

EIN 91-0313383 · Kapolei, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COUNCIL FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN ADVANCEMENT (CNHA) IS A MEMBER-BASED 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO ENHANCE THE CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OF NATIVE HAWAIIANS.

Income
$31.6 million
Spending
$35.6 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
103
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$325,479, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 September 30, 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 (4)
  1. $14.0 million spent. THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (EFA) PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED OF TEMPORARY FINANCIAL RELIEF DUE TO HARDSHIP. DURING THE PANDEMIC, CNHA MANAGED AND DISBURSED OVER $176 MILLION IN COVID-RELATED FUNDS ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OF HAWAII, CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS. THESE FUNDS HELPED PROVIDE FINANCIAL RELIEF TO HOUSEHOLDS TO PAY FOR MORTGAGES, RENTAL FEES, AND UTILITIES. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY CONTRACTS, DONATIONS, AND GRANTS.
  2. $9.4 million spent. TOURISM SUPPORTS COMMUNITY-BASED AND CULTURAL TOURISM EFFORTS THROUGH A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES THAT INCLUDE CULTURAL TOURISM TRAINING FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS; VISITOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT PERPETUATE HAWAIIAN CULTURE AND LOCAL PRACTICES; SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN-OWNED TOURISM BUSINESSES; AND THE FACILITATION OF DESTINATION STEWARDSHIP SERVICES FOR THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.
  3. $4.4 million spent. CAPACITY BUILDING SERVICES SUPPORTS COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING THROUGH A NUMBER OF EFFORTS THAT INCLUDE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO SMALL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT PERPETUATE THE HAWAIIAN CULTURE; PROVISION OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR NATIVE YOUTH; PROVISION OF TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES; AND THE COORDINATION OF EVENTS THAT PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO NETWORK, SHARE INFORMATION, DISCUSS CRITICAL ISSUES, AND BUILD CONSENSUS. CNHA RECEIVED CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS.
  4. $5.5 million spent. THROUGH ITS POLICY CENTER ACTIVITIES, CNHA IS AN ADVOCATE OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVIDES INFORMATION, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND POLICY REPORTS TO ASSIST IN ADDRESSING ISSUES AND FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITIES. CNHA ALSO HAS A YEAR-ROUND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.CNHA IS A UNITED STATES TREASURY CERTIFIED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT OPERATES A COMMUNITY LOAN FUND THROUGH ITS LENDING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PROGRAM. LENDING SERVICES INCLUDE BOTH CONSUMER AND BUSINESS LOANS AND THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION SERVICES. CNHA ALSO PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING SERVICES TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES. CNHA'S PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ACQUIRING PROPERTY FOR LOW INCOME AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 2025.

    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 2003.

    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.