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Friends of the Childrens Justice Center of East Hawaii Inc

EIN 99-0279734 · Hilo, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHILDREN'S JUSTICE CENTER, THE FRIENDS EXIST TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN OF EAST HAWAII. WE FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON HELPING CHILD VICTIMS WITH RESOURCES AND HOPE, WHILE STRIVING TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT CHILD ABUSE.

Income
$256,351
Spending
$276,114
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-9.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
2
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$65,676, 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

Weak: 34 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 67% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Good: 81 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
  1. $234,166 spent. PROVIDE FOR THE EMERGENCY AND FOLLOW-UP NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN EAST HAWAII WHO ARE VICTIMS OF ABUSE. THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS TO EVALUATE AND PROCESS REQUESTS, AND MAINTAINING A CHILD-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT FOR IN-TAKE INTERVIEWS.
  2. $2,701 spent. PROVIDE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR THE TRAINING OF POLICE AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS INVOLVED IN THE TAKE-IN AND INTERVIEW OF MINOR-AGED VICTIMS OF ABUSE.
  3. $4,819 spent. EDUCATION AND PREVENTION ACTIVITIES IN EAST HAWAII FOR CHILD ABUSE MONTH IN APRIL AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. INCLUDES LITERATURE, OUTREACH EVENTS, AND PRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION.

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 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 1995.

    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.