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The Outdoor Circle

EIN 99-0085044 · Honolulu, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE OUTDOOR CIRCLE IS A STATEWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL NON-PROFIT THAT WORKS WITH BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS TO PROTECT HAWAII'S UNIQUE NATURAL AND SCENIC BEAUTY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS THROUGH COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY TO PROTECT VIEW PLANES, MAINTAIN A BILLBOARD FREE ENVIRONMENT, AND COUNTER VISUAL BLIGHT. IT PROMOTOES POLICIES OF PLANTING AND PROTECTING TREES, PROMOTING AND PROTECTING GREEN SPACES, AND ADVOCATING FOR PROGRAMS PROTECTING AND POLICIES FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES FACING THE STATE.

Income
$340,696
Spending
$676,283
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
3
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$136,048, executive director

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 99% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 46 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $442,390 spent. SPONSOR PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE HAWAII'S URBAN FOREST BY PLANTING AND PROTECTING TREES, BEAUTIFYING PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS AND LANDSCAPING BIKE PATHS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ON ISSUES AFFECTING THE SCENIC ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING PROTECTING VIEW PLANES, MAINTAINING A BILLBOARD-FREE ENVIRONMENT, WORKING TOWARD UNDERGROUND WIRING, REVIEWING PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND EDUCATING CHILDREN AND ADULTS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FACING FUTURE GENERATIONS.

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 May 1953.

    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.