Polynesian Voyaging Society

Analysis

Polynesian Voyaging Society is a registered charity in United States, based in Honolulu, HI. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in February 1974, 52 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Polynesian Voyaging Society reported income of $2.9m and spending of $2.5m, spending 87% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $1.4m to $2.9m (+106%), an average of +20% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 82%. Over the whole period it spent 92% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Polynesian Voyaging Society sits at the 94th percentile: it is larger than about 94% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 89th percentile, and in the 89th percentile within HI. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Heartland Film Inc ($2.8m), Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance ($2.9m) and Coastal Georgia Historical Society Inc ($2.8m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 88% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $476k (19% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $323k. At year end it held assets of $2.5m against liabilities of $316k, net assets of $2.2m. It reported 11 employees.