University of the Nations Kona Inc
University of the Nations Kona Inc is a public charity based in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The organization provides education and training for missionary service and makes grants to support active Youth With a Mission (YWAM) locations and related ministry work.
Key facts about University of the Nations Kona Inc
In short: University of the Nations Kona Inc gave $746K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $68K), mostly in California. 45% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 99-0240539
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $745,891
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- Average grant
- $67,808
- Median grant
- $20,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (5 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $43,849,130
- Primary geography
- California (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The organization’s 2024 filing says mission-support donations require a completed application and are distributed only to active YWAM locations. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$43.8M
-1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$746K
+47.8% YoY
Grant Count
11
+37.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$68K
+7.5% YoY
Is University of the Nations Kona Inc open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 11 grantees (45%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $40K; repeat grants $91K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $27K repeat.
- 27% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−19%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to educate and equip young people from all nations in spirituality, integrity, personal life skills, and business skills to be multiplied around the world.” Its training areas include arts, health care, applied linguistics and languages, sports and fitness, family studies, Christian ministries, communication, counseling, education, humanities and international studies, and science and technology. Its educational model includes field work in many countries.
The 2025 grants list includes purposes such as Bible translation, YWAM ministry, foreign base support, mission recruiting, Hawaiian language, and Christian ministry. Among the supported organizations, the 4.2.20 Foundation describes its mission as expanding access to the Bible in every language, culture, and people; Justice Rising International says it works with school operators to strengthen education in war zones; and Exodus Cry says it works to abolish sex trafficking and the commercial sex industry while assisting victims. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not University of the Nations Kona’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 11 grants totaling $745,891. The grants ranged from $8,179 to $346,291, with a median of $20,000.
The largest listed grants were $346,291 to YWAM-Los Angeles for Bible translation, $147,050 to Crisis Consulting International for YWAM ministry, and $113,421 to YWAM Ships Kona for foreign base support. Other listed recipients included the 4.2.20 Foundation ($29,900), Nema Foundation dba Provision Bridge ($25,000), Holos International ($20,000), Hui o Hanohana ($16,269), Commission Coaching ($15,000), Justice Rising International ($15,000), PhotogenX International ($9,781), and Exodus Cry ($8,179).
How to Apply
The organization’s 2024 filing says mission-support donations require a completed application and are distributed only to active YWAM locations. A YWAM base must have a Kona staff sponsor to receive approval for a mission account.
Ready to take the next step with University of the Nations Kona Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization is based in Hawaii. In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in California (50%), Colorado (22%), Hawaii (19%), Virginia (4%), and Florida (3%). The listed recipients also include one in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $302K (2019) to $923K (2022). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $746K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ywam-Los Angeles ($346K). Together the top 10 received $738K.
Grant Size Distribution
45 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 28 grants of 45 (62%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ywam-Los Angeles Lake View Terrace, CA | Bible Translation | $346,291 |
| Crisis Consulting International Boulder, CO | Ywam Ministry | $147,050 |
| Ywam Ships Kona Kailuakona, HI | Foreign Base Support | $113,421 |
| 42220 Foundation Richmond, VA | Bible Translation | $29,900 |
| Nema Foundation DBA Provision Bridge Sarasota, FL | Mission Recruiting | $25,000 |
| Holos International Colorado Springs, CO | Ywam Ministry | $20,000 |
| Hui O Hanohana Kailuakona, HI | Hawaiian Language | $16,269 |
| Commission Coaching Hoffman Estates, IL | Christian Ministry | $15,000 |
| Justice Rising International Los Angeles, CA | Ywam Ministry | $15,000 |
| Photogenx International Kailuakona, HI | Ywam Ministry | $9,781 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $43,849,130 | $32,886,257 | $32,063,307 | $745,891 |
| 2024 | $44,310,252 | $35,222,291 | $34,248,859 | $504,584 |
| 2023 | $43,606,664 | $31,684,442 | $30,962,273 | $725,386 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $43,849,130 | $44,310,252 | $43,606,664 |
| Revenue | $32,886,257 | $35,222,291 | $31,684,442 |
| Expenses | $32,063,307 | $34,248,859 | $30,962,273 |
| Net Investment Income | $175,699 | $183,867 | $35,535 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 2, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 6, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David Joel Hamilton as president, Sunawh Park as treasurer, Dave Bateman as secretary, and Karen Curtis as chair. Trustees listed are Paul Childers, Betty Kwong, Lynn Green, Tom Waddle, Martin Rediger, and Daniel Hoogteijling.
University of the Nations Kona Inc is led by David Joel Hamilton, President since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 5 of 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Joel Hamilton
President
President De → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$68K (2021) → $51K (2025)
Karen Curtis
Chair
Chair & Trustee → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Martin Rediger
Trustee
CFO → CFO & Trustee, 2024
CFO & Trustee → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$10K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Paul Childers
Trustee
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$67K (2019) → $78K (2025)
Daniel Hoogteijling
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$27K (2025)
Betty Kwong
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Green
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Waddle
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sunawh Park
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$51K (2021) → $49K (2025)
Walter Fenner
CFO
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$27K (2025)
Dave Bateman
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Michael Berg (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Loren Cunningham (2019–2023) — Past President
- Former: Julie Anjo (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Wes Reinheller (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Chong Ho Won (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Cj Chung (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Shirley Brownhill (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Doug Fears (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Newman Park (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Woo Wan Kang (2019) — Trustee
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 $78K, to Paul Childers (Trustee). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 75-5851 Kuakini Highway 433, Kailuakona, HI 96740-2199
Phone: (808) 365-5500
Frequently asked questions about University of the Nations Kona Inc
How much does University of the Nations Kona Inc give each year?
University of the Nations Kona Inc gave $746K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $505K across 8 grants.
What is University of the Nations Kona Inc's typical grant size?
University of the Nations Kona Inc's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $67,808, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from University of the Nations Kona Inc that year got $40K on average.
Where does University of the Nations Kona Inc give grants?
University of the Nations Kona Inc gives mostly in California: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (22%) and Hawaii (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kailuakona, HI (3 grants).
Does University of the Nations Kona Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on University of the Nations Kona Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Ywam Ministry" (5 grants).
Who are University of the Nations Kona Inc's largest grantees?
University of the Nations Kona Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Ywam-Los Angeles ($346,291), Crisis Consulting International ($147,050) and Ywam Ships Kona ($113,421), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is University of the Nations Kona Inc?
University of the Nations Kona Inc reported $43.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $32.9M.
What does University of the Nations Kona Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to educate and equip young people from all nations in spirituality, integrity, personal life skills, and business skills to be multiplied around the world.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from University of the Nations Kona Inc?
The organization’s 2024 filing says mission-support donations require a completed application and are distributed only to active YWAM locations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is University of the Nations Kona Inc's EIN?
University of the Nations Kona Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-0240539. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching University of the Nations Kona Inc by hand.
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