Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana
Kanu o ka ʻĀina Learning ʻOhana (KALO) is a public charity based in Kamuela, Hawaiʻi, that provides financial support for educational programs and partners, including charter schools and early childhood, adult education, and Native Hawaiian education programs.
Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana at a glance
In short: Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana gave $6.9M across 27 grants in 2025 (avg $257K), mostly in Hawaii. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,929,796
- -15.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $256,659
- -43.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $214,253
- Total assets
- $18,349,522
- +11.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 6511, Kamuela, HI 96743
Phone: (808) 887-8144
Website: https://kalo.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ka Waihona O Ka Na'auao ($710K). Together the top 10 received $4.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
74 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 34 grants of 74 (46%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars listed for filing year 2025 went to recipients in Hawaiʻi.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $718K (2021) to $8.2M (2024). In 2025 it made 27 grants totaling $6.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ka Waihona O Ka Na'auao Waianae, HI | Support to Charter School | $709,787 |
| Kanu O Ka Aina New Century Public Charter School Kamuela, HI | Support to Charter School | $704,149 |
| Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalani'opu'u IKI Keaau, HI | Support to Charter School | $663,176 |
| Kamaile Academy Waianae, HI | Support to Charter School | $477,689 |
| Connections Charter School Hilo, HI | Support to Charter School | $416,777 |
| Ka Umeke Ka'eo Hipcs Hilo, HI | Support to Charter School | $405,826 |
| Ke Kula O Samuel M Kamakau Lab PCS Kaneohe, HI | Support to Charter School | $379,940 |
| Kualapuu School Kualapuu, HI | Support to Charter School | $247,552 |
| Kanuikapono Anahola, HI | Support to Charter School | $238,413 |
| Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences Pahoa, HI | Support to Charter School | $237,700 |
Ready to take the next step with Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $18,349,522 | $11,326,184 | $10,409,426 | $6,929,796 | 27 | $9,176 |
| 2024 | $16,477,657 | $7,811,596 | $12,020,548 | $8,157,160 | 18 | $240 |
| 2023 | $15,770,980 | $8,382,056 | $8,178,644 | $4,803,240 | 16 | $446 |
| 2022 | $15,994,659 | $4,696,155 | $4,545,032 | $962,879 | 12 | $4,469 |
| 2021 | $16,258,612 | $5,026,413 | $4,979,371 | $718,407 | 1 | $4,448 |
| 2020 | $16,214,737 | $5,019,344 | $5,314,742 | $909,912 | 1 | $4,294 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
KALO’s stated mission is to serve and perpetuate sustainable Hawaiian communities through Education with Aloha. Its programs include Mālamapōkiʻi, a family-based early childhood program; Kahoʻiwai, which offers teacher education and other adult learning programs; and support for Kanu o ka ʻĀina New Century Public Charter School and the Nā Lei Naʻauao Alliance for Native Hawaiian Education.
The 2025 filing lists grants to charter schools for school support. Among the other 2025 grantees, Kai Loa Inc. describes its mission as advancing and sustaining Hawaiian language and culture through the success of Nā Kula ʻO Kamakau; Papa Ku Mana says it supports the educational mission of Hālau Mānā Public Charter School; and Ho'okako'o Corporation says it provides support services and mutual accountability to help communities develop Hawaiian-focused charter schools. Kanaka Aupuni a Niihau Aloha describes its mission as providing families from Niʻihau and Kauaʻi with economic opportunities through business development, education, property acquisition, and business management services.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, KALO reported 27 grants totaling $6,929,796. Grant amounts ranged from $24,715 to $709,787, with a median of $214,253. The largest grants included $709,787 to Ka Waihona o ka Naʻauao, $704,149 to Kanu o ka ʻĀina New Century Public Charter School, and $663,176 to Ke Kula ʻO Nawahiokalaniʻōpuʻu Iki; each was for charter school support.
Other 2025 grants included $109,000 to Kai Loa Inc., $87,250 to Papa Ku Mana, $87,000 to Ho'okako'o Corporation, and $65,250 to Kanaka Aupuni a Niihau Aloha.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Hannah Springer as board president; Nancy Levenson as board secretary; Edward Teixeira as vice president; Judy Oliveira as treasurer; and Dwight Takamine as director. It also lists Taffi Wise as executive director, Mary Katie Benioni as chief financial officer, and Noekeonaona Reynolds-Kirby as chief academic officer.
Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana is led by Taffi Wise, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 4 of 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Taffi Wise
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$55K (2020) → $65K (2025)
Hannah Springer
Board President
Director → President, 2023
President → Board President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dwight Takamine
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Katie Benioni
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$116K (2020) → $150K (2025)
Nancy Levenson
Board Secretary
Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Board Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$98K (2020) → $121K (2025)
Noekeonaona Reynolds-Kirby
Chief Academic Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Edward Teixeira
Vice President
President → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judy Oliveira
Treasurer
Vice President → Vice President & Treasurer, 2021
Vice President & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Anthony Fraser (2020) — Project Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $150K, to Mary Katie Benioni (Chief Financial Officer). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana
How much does Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana give each year?
Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana gave $6.9M across 27 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $8.2M across 18 grants.
What is Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana's typical grant size?
Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana's median grant in 2025 was $214,253, and its average grant was $256,659, across 27 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana give grants?
Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana gives mostly in Hawaii: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Hilo, HI (5 grants), Kaneohe, HI (3 grants), Kekaha, HI (3 grants) and Honolulu, HI (3 grants).
Does Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 27 grants with a stated purpose on Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support to Charter School" (27 grants).
Who are Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana's largest grantees?
Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana's largest 2025 grantees include Ka Waihona O Ka Na'auao ($709,787), Kanu O Ka Aina New Century Public Charter School ($704,149) and Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalani'opu'u IKI ($663,176), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana?
Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana reported $18.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.3M.
What does Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana fund?
KALO’s stated mission is to serve and perpetuate sustainable Hawaiian communities through Education with Aloha. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana?
Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check kalo.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana's EIN?
Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-0352665. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 2, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/kanu-o-ka-aina-learning-ohana-morg_bf99fd2b202147ce9fab29e6eb2239bd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_990352665_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/kanu-o-ka-aina-learning-ohana-morg_bf99fd2b202147ce9fab29e6eb2239bd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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