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Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Inc

EIN 99-0354937 · Honolulu, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NONE

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
8
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$197,539, president/ceo

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. BUDGET AND SPENDING: HAWAII TAXPAYERS ARE CONSTANTLY BEING THREATENED BY HIGHER TAXES AT BOTH THE STATE AND COUNTY LEVELS. ALTHOUGH IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ASSESS TAXES TO PAY FOR PUBLIC SERVICES, THE COST OF RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM WORKING AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE HIGH COST OF LIVING. THE GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAII EDUCATES LAWMAKERS ON HOW TO BETTER SPEND PUBLIC RESOURCES AND WORKS ON REFORMING THE TAX CODE SO THAT TAXPAYERS WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP MORE OF THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY.HOUSING: THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES HAVE BEEN LEAVING HAWAII EVERY YEAR IN SEARCH OF CHEAPER HOUSING ON THE MAINLAND, THANKS TO THE STATE'S ARTIFICIAL SCARCITY OF HOUSING RESULTING FROM ZONING AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON DEVELOPMENT. THE GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAII IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATING HAWAII RESIDENTS ABOUT HOW TO MAKE IT EASIER TO BUILD LESS EXPENSIVE HOMES ON THE ISLANDS, SO RESIDENTS WILL WANT TO STAY HERE WITH THEIR FAMILIES.HEALTHCARE: HAWAII CONTINUES TO FACE A SEVERE HEALTHCARE SHORTAGE IN THE AREAS OF SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PRACTITIONERS. MUCH OF THE FAULT LIES IN BURDENSOME REGULATIONS THAT EITHER RESTRICT COMPETITION OR DISCOURAGE NURSES AND DOCTORS WHO WOULD LIKE TO PRACTICE HEALTHCARE. THE GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAII COMMITS ITSELF TO EDUCATING HAWAII RESIDENTS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF REFORMING THESE REGULATIONS TO ADDRESS HAWAII'S ACUTE NEED FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.

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 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 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 April 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.