Kupu programs are training young adults in the emerging "green" job sector to help make hawaii more self-sustaining, while engaging these youth members in relevant and important community service throughout the state.
Key facts about Kupu
In short: Kupu gave $318K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $29K), mostly in Hawaii. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 51-0652665
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $317,579
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- Average grant
- $28,871
- Median grant
- $21,551
- Total assets
- $11,734,823
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (84% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$11.7M
+21.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$318K
Grant Count
11
Avg Grant Size
$29K
About Kupu
Based on IRS filings
Kupu is a nonprofit organization focused on Youth Development, based in Honolulu, HI. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $11.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 11 grants totaling $318K. Net investment income was $40K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 11 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,734,823 | $9,627,480 | $12,006,296 |
| Revenue | $17,077,289 | $16,345,971 | $11,900,760 |
| Expenses | $18,110,285 | $17,248,739 | $12,994,377 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $40,225 | $23,069 | $-2,809 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 18, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
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
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 is Kupu?
Kupu is a nonprofit organization focused on Youth Development, based in Honolulu, HI. It holds $11.7M in total assets as of 2025.
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.
Here's the math on researching Kupu by hand.
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More Funders in Hawaii
Kupu down — hundreds of funders to go?