Quick charity verification for Kanu Hawaii (EIN: 205552831)
Verdict: Kanu Hawaii shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$258KRevenue
$222KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits (expenses exceeding revenue) in most recent years.
Significant decline in assets over the past decade, indicating a draw-down on reserves.
Fluctuating revenue streams, making financial planning challenging.
Strengths
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong commitment to mission over executive pay.
Long filing history (12 filings), suggesting consistent operation and compliance.
Maintained some level of assets, though declining, providing a small buffer.
Spending Breakdown
How Kanu Hawaii allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kanu Hawaii
Is Kanu Hawaii a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Kanu Hawaii (EIN: 205552831) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Kanu Hawaii a good charity to donate to?
Kanu Hawaii has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $258K. Assets: $222K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Kanu Hawaii?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Kanu Hawaii is 205552831. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Kanu Hawaii spend its money?
Kanu Hawaii allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Kanu Hawaii's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Kanu Hawaii's tax-exempt status using EIN 205552831 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
Kanu Hawaii demonstrates a fluctuating financial history, with recent years showing expenses exceeding revenue. In 2023, expenses were $463,900 against revenues of $416,507, resulting in a deficit. This trend of spending more than it earns has been consistent in several recent periods, including 2022 ($457,766 expenses vs. $416,507 revenue) and 2021 ($227,957 expenses vs. $225,715 revenue). While the organization has maintained assets, they have significantly decreased from a high of $254,955 in 2014 to $24,082 in 2023, indicating a draw-down on reserves. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead in this area, which is a positive sign for donor confidence.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown (program, administrative, fundraising) from the provided data. However, the recurring deficits suggest that current operational costs are not consistently covered by incoming revenue. The significant reduction in assets over the past decade raises concerns about long-term financial sustainability if revenue generation does not improve to consistently cover expenses. Transparency regarding executive compensation is excellent, with no reported officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of a mission-first approach to leadership remuneration. However, the overall financial health appears precarious given the consistent deficits and declining asset base.