The Easter Island Foundation
The Easter Island Foundation is a Form 990-EZ (a small public charity) based in Santa Maria, California. It supports the Rapa Nui people in preserving their Polynesian culture, with work described by the foundation including education, scholarships, and programs related to Rapa Nui heritage.
The Easter Island Foundation at a glance
- Total assets
- $531,296
- +37.2% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $175,906
- -7.7% vs 2024
- Net investment income (2025)
- $5,328
- Expenses (2025)
- $65,135
- -42.0% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Easter Island Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 2284, Santa Maria, CA 93457-2284
Phone: (805) 528-8558
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Easter Island Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 21 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as supporting the Rapa Nui people and preserving Easter Island’s heritage. Its filing says it funds programs on the island.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $36K (2020) to $45K (2021). In 2021 it made 21 grants totaling $45K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 21 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $45,200 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $531,296 | $175,906 | $65,135 | — | — | — | $5,328 |
| 2024 | $387,334 | $190,528 | $112,227 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | $283,414 | $169,487 | $81,421 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | $187,071 | $178,672 | $182,505 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | $198,975 | $165,818 | $78,271 | $45,200 | 21 | $74,610 | — |
| 2020 | $111,428 | $118,522 | $62,439 | $36,200 | 16 | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to protect Easter Island’s history, culture, and environment through education; help Rapa Nui youth develop professional careers and expertise through scholarships; inform the public about the island’s heritage and monumental treasures; and encourage research and dialogue about Easter Island and Polynesia.
Its filing describes scholarships for students of Rapa Nui ancestry and funding for programs on the island, including an individual recipient Nui School of Music and the Arts, the Terevaka Archaeological Outreach Program, and the William Mulloy Library. The foundation also says it publishes the Rapa Nui Journal in partnership with the University of Hawai‘i Press.
Grantmaking
The foundation’s filings report zero grants for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Its materials describe scholarships and support for programs, but do not provide grant totals, grant sizes, or application instructions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing are Dr. Julie Francis, Secretary; Rachel Lee, President/Tr; Kathi Merritt, Chair, Schol; Cristian Moreno Pakarati, Aaron Rodrigues, Caroline Roe, and Jennifer Tobin, Board Members; and Patrick Weikle, Vice Preside.
The Easter Island Foundation is led by Rachel Lee, President since 2025 (on filings since 2021); none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rachel Lee
President
Treasurer → President, 2025
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Kathi Merritt
Chair & Schol
Secretary → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Chair & Schol, 2025
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Julie Francis
Secretary
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Aaron Rodrigues
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Caroline Roe
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Cristian Moreno Pakarati
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Jennifer Tobin
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Patrick Weikle
Vice President
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Mary Dell Lucas (2022–2024) — President
- Former: Cassidy Meehan (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Marla Wold (2020–2023) — Vice President
- Former: David Rose (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Michael Chamberlain (2020) — Treasurer
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Easter Island Foundation
How large is The Easter Island Foundation?
The Easter Island Foundation reported $531K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $176K.
What does The Easter Island Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to protect Easter Island’s history, culture, and environment through education; help Rapa Nui youth develop professional careers and expertise through scholarships; inform the public about the island’s heritage and monumental treasures; and encourage research and dialogue about Easter Island and Polynesia. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Easter Island Foundation?
The Easter Island Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does The Easter Island Foundation make grants?
The foundation describes its work as supporting the Rapa Nui people and preserving Easter Island’s heritage. Its filing says it funds programs on the island.
What is The Easter Island Foundation's EIN?
The Easter Island Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3220730. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The Easter Island Foundation funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Easter Island Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The Easter Island Foundation'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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