Maui Economic Opportunity Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MAUI ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, INC (MEO) IS A PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, CHARTERED ON MARCH 22, 1965 BY FEDERAL MANDATE UNDER PROVISIONS OF THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1964. THE AGENCY PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE SCOPE OF SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED THROUGHOUT MAUI COUNTY AND ACROSS THE STATE OF HAWAII. THE MISSION OF MEO IS TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY WHILE HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED RESTORE THEIR HOPE, REACH THEIR POTENTIAL AND ENRICH THEIR LIVES.
- Income
- $36.7 million
- Spending
- $36.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- -1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 94%
- Employees
- 274
- Volunteers
- 308
- Highest pay
- $130,804, chief executive officer
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
Weak: 37 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 36% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $11.4 million spent. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROGRAM: PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS AND PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY. INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME, PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, SENIORS AND YOUTH THROUGH SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION. APPROXIMATELY 6,362 PASSENGERS IN THE TARGET POPULATION (SENIORS, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS, CHILDREN AND YOUTH) TOOK TRIPS TO AND FROM NUTRITION SITES, SENIOR PROGRAMS, DAY HEALTH, DIALYSIS, AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES. THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS' BOARDING INCLUDING ADA PARATRANSIT SERVICE TOTALED APPROXIMATELY 272,111.
- $8.5 million spent. CRISIS AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE - PROVIDE HOUSING, UTILITY, VEHICLE, APPLIANCE, CLOTHING AND SCHOOL SUPPLY SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN IMPACTED BY THE WILDFIRES. FEDERALLY FUNDED THROUGH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.
- $6.2 million spent. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING - ENHANCE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION AND JOB SKILLS FOR LOW-INCOME AND LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS. THE GOAL IS TO HELP CLIENTS FIND JOBS EARNING A LIVING WAGE.
- $8.2 million spent. MEO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (MEO BDC) OFFERS BUSINESS PLANNING CLASSES AND CONSULTATION, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND MICROLOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESS STARTUP OPERATIONS OR EXPANSION, AND AGRICULTURAL MICRO GRANTS FOR LOCAL OPERATING FARMS ON MAUI, MOLOKAI AND LANAI TO INCREASE THE FARM'S CAPACITY, PRODUCTIVITY, NAME RECOGNITION AND INCOME. 75 FARMS RECEIVED MICRO GRANT ASSISTANCE DURING THE FIFTH YEAR OF THE FUNDING.THE MEO BDC BUSINESS PLANNING OR CORE FOUR COURSE ASSISTED 114 BUSINESSES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REALISTIC, ACHIEVABLE BUSINESS PLAN. THE FIVE-WEEK PROGRAM IS OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ON MAUI, MOLOKAI, AND LANAI. 1,204 YOUTH TO ADULT ATTENDED FINANCIAL LITERACY CLASSES THAT FOCUSED ON INCREASING FINANCIAL HEALTH, INCLUDING SAVING, BUDGETING, LENDING AND INVESTMENT INFORMATION.EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES INCLUDES THE FEDERALLY FUNDED MEO HEAD START PRESCHOOL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO INCOME ELIGIBLE FAMILIES AND PROMOTES SCHOOL READINESS FOR CHILDREN AGES THREE TO FIVE YEARS OLD. COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO ENROLLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, WHICH INCLUDE HEALTH, NUTRITION, SOCIAL, AND OTHER SERVICES DETERMINED TO BE NECESSARY BY THE FAMILY NEEDS ASSESSMENT. A TOTAL OF 193 CHILDREN AND 171 FAMILIES WERE SERVED BY THE PROGRAM DURING THE 2024-2025 PROGRAM YEAR. EXTENDED DAY SERVICES AND SUMMER PROGRAM WERE PROVIDED WITH COUNTY RESOURCES.THE KAHI KAMALII INFANT AND TODDLER PROGRAM PROVIDES QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES TO FAMILIES THAT ARE EMPLOYED FULL TIME. THE PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN AGED 12 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE CENTER-BASED CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN SO FAMILIES CAN SUCCESSFULLY OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY THE COUNTY OF MAUI.OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE EVIDENCE BASED YOUTH PREVENTION PROGRAMS, BUSINESS PLAN CLASSES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, MICROLOANS, REINTEGRATION SUPPORT SERVICES, HISPANIC ACCULTURATION SERVICES, WEATHERIZATION, LIHEAP PROGRAMS, THE SENIOR FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT THAT FUNDS AGENCY-WIDE ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR INCLUDED:THE MEO CEO AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM ESTABLISHED THE LEADERSHIP COHORT PROGRAM TO IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP FUTURE LEADERS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION. THE INAUGURAL COHORT RAN FROM SEPTEMBER 2024 THROUGH JUNE 2025, WITH FIVE EMERGING LEADERS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE PROGRAM.THE COHORT PARTICIPATED IN A SERIES OF TRAINING SESSIONS DESIGNED TO BUILD KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNITY ACTION, ORGANIZATIONAL OPERATIONS, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. THE PROGRAM CONCLUDED WITH COHORT PARTICIPANT PRESENTATIONS DEMONSTRATING THEIR LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.THE LEADERSHIP COHORT PROGRAM PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS TO BOTH THE PARTICIPANTS AND THE ORGANIZATION. BY BUILDING KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNITY ACTION PRINCIPLES, STRENGTHENING LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS, AND INCREASING UNDERSTANDING OF MEO'S PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS, THE PROGRAM PREPARES EMERGING LEADERS TO TAKE ON GREATER RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN THE AGENCY. PARTICIPANTS GAIN A BROADER PERSPECTIVE OF HOW DEPARTMENTS WORK TOGETHER TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, WHICH PROMOTES COLLABORATION AND MORE EFFECTIVE DECISION-MAKING. THE PROGRAM ALSO SUPPORTS SUCCESSION PLANNING BY DEVELOPING A PIPELINE OF KNOWLEDGEABLE AND COMMITTED LEADERS WHO ARE EQUIPPED TO SUSTAIN MEO'S MISSION AND ENSURE THE LONG-TERM STRENGTH AND STABILITY OF THE ORGANIZATION.MEO PLANS TO OFFER THIS PROGRAM EVERY THREE YEARS TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP EMERGING LEADERS. ADDRESSING A CAUSE OR CONDITION OF POVERTY IN THE COMMUNITY USING AN INNOVATIVE OR CREATIVE APPROACH. HAWAI`I RELIEF PROGRAM (HRP) IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACT:IN RESPONSE TO THE AUGUST 2023 MAUI WILDFIRES, MAUI ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, INC. (MEO) SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED THE MAUI RELIEF TANF PROGRAM, PROVIDING IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES FACING HOUSING INSTABILITY AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIP.BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF THIS EFFORT, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PARTNERED WITH MEO TO ADMINISTER THE HAWAII RELIEF PROGRAM (HRP) USING THE SAME RESPONSIVE, COMMUNITY-CENTERED SERVICE MODEL. HRP PROVIDES NON-RECURRING SHORT-TERM (NRST) HOUSING AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE TO TANF-ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL CRISES OR UNEXPECTED HARDSHIPS, HELPING FAMILIES MAINTAIN STABLE HOUSING AND ESSENTIAL UTILITY SERVICES.COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT (CSBG) FUNDING PROVIDED THE FRAMEWORK THAT ENABLED MEO TO RAPIDLY DEVELOP THE SYSTEMS, STAFFING, AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO LAUNCH AND MANAGE THE PROGRAM EFFECTIVELY.PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION WAS SUPPORTED THROUGH COORDINATED EFFORTS ACROSS MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS:- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED THE ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM, UPDATED THE WEBSITE, CREATED OUTREACH MATERIALS, AND BUILT A DATA TRACKING SYSTEM FOR HRP SERVICES.- HUMAN RESOURCES RECRUITED AND ON BOARDED PROGRAM STAFF TO MEET INCREASED SERVICE DEMAND.- FISCAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEAMS ENSURED TIMELY PROGRAM APPROVALS, FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT, AND COMPLIANCE WITH FUNDING REQUIREMENTS.THROUGH HRP, MEO PROVIDED CRITICAL HOUSING AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE THAT HELPED FAMILIES REMAIN SAFELY HOUSED, MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES, AND NAVIGATE FINANCIAL CRISES DURING A CHALLENGING RECOVERY PERIOD FOR THE MAUI COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM DEMONSTRATES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COORDINATED PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN STATE AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN DELIVERING TIMELY, TARGETED ASSISTANCE TO VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1967.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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