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Hilo Orchid Society Inc

EIN 99-0236744 · Hilo, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Promote public education, cultivation and conservation of orchids.

Income
$51,535
Spending
$52,792
Reserves
23.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 48%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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, 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. $17,094 spent. 2023 Hilo Orchid show and Sale July 25-28, 2024. Attendance of 4600. Dozens of orchid displays entered by commercial growers and hobbyists, 17 orchid nurseries selling plants, 18 orchid-related arts and craft merchants, many demonstrations to teach the public how to grow different types of orchids. Local cultural performances of hula throughout the show.
  2. $12,189 spent. Hilo Orchid Society awarded two $4000 scholarships. One to a student at University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the second to a student at University of Hawaii at Hilo. We also awarded a $4000 research and conservation grant to Challen Willemsen working at a orchid-rich forest reserve in Guatemala.
  3. $9,770 spent. Hilo Orchid Society holds monthly meetings open to members and the general public. each month we invite an expert to give a talk on how to grow various types of orchids, their conservation in the wild, disease management, and hybridizing programs by commercial growers. We also support the local branch of the American Orchid Society's judging center.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 December 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 March 2001.

    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.