Ro Foundation
Ro Foundation is a private foundation, based in Honolulu, HI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $409K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $19K. Net investment income was $127K.
Ro Foundation at a glance
In short: Ro Foundation gave $19K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Hawaii. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $18,885
- -43.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $4,721
- -43.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $409,461
- +39.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Ro Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Leeward Community College ($7K). Together the top 4 received $19K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 12 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Ro Foundation gives
- Giving grew 278% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 130% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2020) to $34K (2023). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $19K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Leeward Community College Pearl City, HI | Public Institution | $6,885 |
| Wahea Foundation Honolulu, HI | Preserve Aspects of Hawaiian Culture | $5,000 |
| Ke Alii Pauahi Foundation Honolulu, HI | Seek Community Partnerships | $5,000 |
| Olelo Community Media Honolulu, HI | Provide Accesss to Education and Inform | $2,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $409,461 | $172,820 | $56,430 | $18,885 | 4 | $18,885 | $127,349 | $14,579 |
| 2023 | $293,071 | $26,574 | $51,565 | $33,508 | 4 | $33,508 | $21,574 | $14,572 |
| 2022 | $318,062 | $125,346 | $20,449 | $10,000 | 2 | $10,000 | $94 | $11,666 |
| 2021 | $213,165 | $181,500 | $5,448 | $5,000 | 1 | $5,000 | — | $2,815 |
| 2020 | $37,113 | $11,000 | $8,887 | $5,000 | 1 | — | — | $1,659 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ro Foundation reported a distributable amount of $15K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ro Foundation's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bryan Luke
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael China
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jan Ro
Vpsecdirector
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelvin Ro
Prestreasdirector
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Ro Foundation
How much does Ro Foundation give each year?
Ro Foundation gave $19K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $34K across 4 grants.
What is Ro Foundation's typical grant size?
Ro Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $4,721, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Ro Foundation give grants?
Ro Foundation gives mostly in Hawaii: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Honolulu, HI (3 grants).
Does Ro Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Ro Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is Ro Foundation?
Ro Foundation reported $409K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $19K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $15K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Ro Foundation's EIN?
Ro Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-2881695. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Ro Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Ro Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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