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Palama Settlement

EIN 99-0074140 · Honolulu, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESTABLISHED IN 1896, PALAMA SETTLEMENT IS A NON PROFIT, COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY SERVING THE KALIHI AND PALAMA NEIGHBORHOODS BY OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL, ATHLETIC, CULTURAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMS. OUR MISSION IS TO PARTNER WITH THOSE WHO HAVE THE GREATEST NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY, EMPOWERING THEM TO ENHANCE THEIR WELL-BEING THROUGH EDUCATION, HEALTH AND RECREATION.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 39%
Employees
55
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$176,956, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 (4)
  1. $1.1 million spent. RECREATION PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED FOR LOW TO MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS, AT-RISK YOUTH, AND THE ELDERLY. PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH INCLUDE LEARN-TO-SWIM CLASSES/FREE SWIMMING, AFTER-SCHOOL DROP-IN ACTIVITIES, TUTORING, DIGITAL ARTS INSTRUCTIONAL, AND A COMPETITIVE SPORTS PROGRAM THAT REQUIRES ATTENDANCE AT A WEEKLY ACADEMIC CENTER. THE SENIOR PROGRAM DRAWS ABOUT 260 PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE REGISTERED IN LINE DANCING, TAI CHI, ZUMBA, CHAIR YOGA, AQUA AEROBICS, SEWING CLASSES, WATERCOLOR AND DRAWING AND CLAY MAKING. THE PROGRAM IS VOLUNTEER-DRIVEN WITH SENIORS SERVING AS COORDINATORS AND INSTRUCTORS. THE PICKLEBALL PROGRAM REGISTERED OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS.
  2. $261,364 spent. PALAMA'S COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM (CSP) PROVIDES EMERGENCY SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE SURROUNDING LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD. THESE INCLUDE AN EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER AGENCIES. DURING THE SUMMER, PALAMA SETTLEMENT PROVIDES DAILY HOT LUNCHES TO ITS SUMMER PROGRAMS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, CHILD NUTRITION BRANCH, AND SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM.
  3. $559,286 spent. OUR PRIMARY EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY BESIDES TUTORING OUR STUDENTS IN THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AND FROM THE COMMUNITY IS OUR DIGITAL ARTS ACADEMY. THEY SERVED AROUND 40-45 KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY, AGES 6 TO 19. IN-PERSON CLASSES RESUMED TO INCLUDE CODING, ROBOTICS, CHARACTER DESIGN AND DRAWING, DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN. OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES SUPPORTING STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS.
  4. $266,284 spent. IN CONTINUATION OF THE ABOVE SERVICES, WE ALSO PROVIDE A PAKOLEA YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM, KITCHEN SERVICES, AND OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM UNDER OUR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. PALAMA SETTLEMENT ALSO OFFERS A COMPLETE AQUATIC PROGRAM TO THE COMMUNITY. BESIDES ADULT LAP SWIMS AND RECREATIONAL SWIMMING, WE OFFER A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS, LIKE SENIOR AQUAROBIC CLASSES, SWIM LESSONS FOR AGES 6 MONTHS TO ADULT, A MASTER SWIM TEAM AND SCUBA LESSONS ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE. PALAMA PAKOLEA YOUTH SPORTS WERE ONLY ABLE TO PROVIDE FLAG FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND VOLLEYBALL TO THE YOUTH OF THE KALIHI-PALAMA AREA. DURING THE SUMMER, PALAMA SETTLEMENT PROVIDED DAILY HOT LUNCHES TO ITS SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM AND TO OTHER YOUTH PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.IN 2023 PALAMA SETTLEMENT TOGETHER WITH HILOPAA FAMILY TO FAMILY, INC. LAUNCHED "CAREER CAMP". THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THIS PROJECT WAS TO ASSIST IN IMPLEMENTING PRIORITIES SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER READINESS, COLLEGE PREPARATION FOR YOUTH AND YOUTH ADULTS. THIS SIX-WEEK PROGRAM HOSTED 18 PARTICIPANTS.PALAMA SETTLEMENT WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE LUNCHES AND SNACKS AT NO COST TO ITS PARTICIPANTS DUE TO ITS LOCATION IN AN AREA WITH SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS OF LOW-INCOME CHILDREN. PALAMA SETTLEMENT CONTINUED OUR PALAMA SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM. THIS FUNDING ACCOUNT IS COMPRISED OF BEQUEATHS, DONATIONS, AND GRANTS THAT ALLOW PALAMA SETTLEMENT TO HELP STUDENTS PURSUE THEIR POST-HIGH DREAMS THROUGH FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

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 October 1942.

    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.

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