Kupu
Kupu is a public charity based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Established in 2007, it works to empower youth through service-learning and environmental stewardship, while supporting conservation, sustainability, clean energy, and natural resource management in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.
Kupu at a glance
In short: Kupu gave $318K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $29K), mostly in Hawaii. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $317,579
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- Average grant
- $28,871
- Median grant
- $21,551
- Total assets
- $11,734,823
- +21.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (84% 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 Kupu
- Contact
Mailing address: 55 Merchant Street 3100, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 735-1221
Website: https://kupuhawaii.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Kupu funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Waianae Community Re-Development Corporation ($77K). Together the top 10 received $311K.
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 11 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Kupu states that its programs are growing across Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Pacific region. Its 2025 grants went to recipients in Hawaiʻi and Guam; 84% of grant dollars went to Hawaiʻi recipients and 16% to Guam recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $318K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Waianae Community Re-Development Corporation Waianae, HI | Expand Tree Canopies, Educate Communities, and Develop Leaders. | $76,785 |
| University of Guam Mangilao, GU | Build local workforce capacity through on-the-job training with current watershed restoration efforts in the ugum watershed in southern guam. | $51,284 |
| Hui Malama I Ke Ala Ulili Paauilo, HI | Development and planting of a 100-acre community regenerative breadfruit agroforest on former plantation land. | $39,232 |
| Hi'ipaka LLC Haleiwa, HI | Replant and protect native forests, trees and shrubs, in waimea valley oahu. | $37,780 |
| Molokai Land Trust Kaunakakai, HI | Reforestation of an upper watershed to protect critical habitats, water quality, and nearshore marine ecosystems. | $36,482 |
| Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services Honolulu, HI | Ecosystem restoration, community environmental education, and youth conservation stewardship training in kalihi. | $21,551 |
| Maui NUI Botanical Gardens Inc Kahului, HI | To build capacity for residential landscape assistance, and increase native tree canopy on maui. | $16,456 |
| Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests Hilo, HI | Dryland forest ecosystem restoration and strategic plant species outplanting at puuwaawaa. | $11,721 |
| Malama Learning Center Honolulu, HI | Urban tree canopy expansion and community environmental health improvements in leeward oahu. | $10,089 |
| Kauluakalana Kailua, HI | Reforestation of 200 trees, community stewardship programs, and youth environmental leadership training in kailua, oahu. | $9,614 |
Ready to take the next step with Kupu?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,734,823 | $17,077,289 | $18,110,285 | $317,579 | 11 | $40,225 |
| 2024 | $9,627,480 | $16,345,971 | $17,248,739 | — | — | $23,069 |
| 2023 | $12,006,296 | $11,900,760 | $12,994,377 | — | — | $-2,809 |
| 2022 | $10,923,462 | $11,672,759 | $11,505,354 | — | — | $1,578 |
| 2021 | $10,299,309 | $11,230,476 | $11,087,644 | — | — | $-2,816 |
| 2020 | $12,391,419 | $8,682,374 | $7,977,069 | — | — | $-6,208 |
| 2019 | $8,284,882 | $9,582,228 | $7,447,539 | — | — | $1,504 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Kupu’s stated mission is to empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning, and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourage pono (integrity) with ke Akua (God), self, and others. In its 2024 filing, Kupu described its programs as training young adults for emerging “green” jobs while engaging them in community service and environmental stewardship.
Its 2025 grants show support for organizations undertaking environmental and community projects. For example, Waianae Community Re-Development Corporation describes its mission as providing educational and employment opportunities, particularly for youth, through community-based activities. Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili describes its mission as re-establishing community-sustaining systems through education and land-based practices. Other grantees describe missions centered on protecting and restoring land and cultural resources, educating communities, and fostering appreciation for native plants.
Grantmaking
Kupu reported 11 grants totaling $317,579 in 2025. Grant amounts ranged from $6,585 to $76,785, with a median of $21,551.
The largest reported grants included $76,785 to Waianae Community Re-Development Corporation for tree-canopy expansion, community education, and leadership development; $51,284 to the University of Guam for workforce training connected to watershed restoration; and $39,232 to Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili for development and planting of a community regenerative breadfruit agroforest. Other 2025 recipients included Hiʻipaka LLC ($37,780) for native forest protection and replanting, and Molokai Land Trust ($36,482) for upper-watershed reforestation.
Kupu’s website describes its MALU Initiative as a five-year, $16 million U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service-funded program with subawards supporting tree canopy, community engagement, and conservation workforce development across Hawaiʻi, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. This is program funding Kupu receives, distinct from the grants Kupu reports making.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Timothy Johns as president, Bradley Totherow as vice president, Kathleen Morimoto as treasurer, and Rob Nelson as secretary. It lists Dani Aiu, Julianna Rapu Leong, Lance Wilhelm, Rodney Chong, Tiffany Garza, and Ashley Takitani Leahey as directors.
Kupu is led by John Leong, CEO on every filing since 2019; 5 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John Leong
CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$151K (2019) → $204K (2025)
Timothy Johns
President
Director → President, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julianna Rapu Leong
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lance Wilhelm
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rodney Chong
Director
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Tokioka
Director
Vice President → President, 2023
President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Garza
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Calvert Chipchase
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dani Aiu
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rudy Tamayo
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Takitani Leahey
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isaac Okita
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janice Pak
CFO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$97K (2019) → $177K (2025)
Matt Bauer
COO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$106K (2019) → $182K (2025)
Darcie Yukimura
Vice President of Philanthropy
Director → Vice President of Philanthropy, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$146K (2024) → $157K (2025)
James Riley
Vice President of External Affairs
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$138K (2022) → $157K (2025)
Bradley Totherow
Vice President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Morimoto
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Nelson
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Kathleen Thurston (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Michael Wilson (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: See Wai Wan (2023) — Controller
- Former: John Neff (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Kaulana Park (2019–2022) — President
- Former: Tim Johns (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kim Gennaula (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Tiffa Garza (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $204K, to John Leong (CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Kupu
How much does Kupu give each year?
Kupu gave $318K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Kupu's typical grant size?
Kupu's median grant in 2025 was $21,551, and its average grant was $28,871, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Kupu give grants?
Kupu gives mostly in Hawaii: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Guam (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Honolulu, HI (2 grants).
Does Kupu give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Kupu's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Kupu's largest grantees?
Kupu's largest 2025 grantees include Waianae Community Re-Development Corporation ($76,785), University of Guam ($51,284) and Hui Malama I Ke Ala Ulili ($39,232), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Kupu?
Kupu reported $11.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $17.1M.
What does Kupu fund?
Kupu’s stated mission is to empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning, and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourage pono (integrity) with ke Akua (God), self, and others. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kupu?
Kupu has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check kupuhawaii.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Kupu's EIN?
Kupu's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0652665. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 18, 2020)
Live grants for the work Kupu funds
Youth Development Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kupu's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Aloha United Way Inc
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Total Given
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More similar funders
More Funders in Hawaii
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Kupu funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/kupu-morg_05bfe8c29fe44317875b06a79cddfa5f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_510652665_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Kupu funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/kupu-morg_05bfe8c29fe44317875b06a79cddfa5f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Kupu'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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