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Friends of the Panaewa Zoo

EIN 99-0248039 · Hilo, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE PANAEWA RAINFOREST ZOO AND GARDENS, A MUNICIPAL ENTITY, PROMOTING THE ZOO TO THE COMMUNITY AND ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WELL BEING OF THE RESIDENT ANIMALS.

Income
$498,614
Spending
$301,168
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
46.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 50%
Employees
9
Volunteers
0

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 46.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 June 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. $246,059 spent. THE GOALS OF THE FRIENDS OF THE ZOO INCLUDE EDUCATION, ENRICHMENT FOR THE ANIMALS, FOSTERING CONCERN FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED ANIMALS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT BY PROVIDING THE BEST POSSIBLE LIVING CONDITIONS FOR THE ANIMALS IN THE ZOO, AND THEREBY ENHANCING THE EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS TO THE ZOO. FRIENDS OF THE ZOO'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE HELPING THE MUNICIPAL PANAEWA RAINFOREST ZOO IN THE MAINTENANCE OF ZOO HABITATS, ENRICHMENT FOR THE ANIMALS IN THE FORM OF SPECIAL HANDLING, FOOD, TOYS, AND IMPROVED HABITATS; PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS AT THE ZOO, AND CONDUCTING EVENTS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 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 August 1986.

    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.

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.