Where the Money Goes
Every dollar raised through Steps for Lahaina is tracked, reported, and directed to the teachers and coaches who stayed to rebuild. Here is exactly how it works.
Our transparency commitment
Steps for Lahaina is a grassroots nonprofit. We believe the people who trust us with their money deserve to see exactly where it goes — not a summary, not a highlight reel, but the full picture including processing fees, operating costs, and every program dollar distributed.
We publish this breakdown in real time as funds are processed. No annual-report delay. No rounding. No omissions.
How your money moves
Sponsor pledges
A sponsor commits a per-mile rate, flat monthly amount, or one-time gift tied to a specific walker or the general fund.
Walker logs miles
Miles are verified from manual logs or connected fitness trackers. Only verified miles trigger per-mile pledge calculations.
Payment processed
Charges run monthly. Processing fees (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction) are deducted by the payment processor before funds reach us.
Net proceeds allocated
After processing fees, net proceeds are split: 90% to direct programs, up to 10% to operating costs. Any operating surplus rolls into programs.
Funds distributed
Program funds are distributed quarterly to verified recipient teachers, coaches, and school programs in Lahaina. Every distribution is documented.
How net proceeds are allocated
Precise language matters to us. Net proceeds means gross contributions minus processing and operating expenses. Loan and mortgage programs are planned and will be clearly labeled until formally approved and launched.
One-time rebuilding grants and low- or no-interest bridge loans for qualifying uninsured or underinsured educators.
Home-purchase assistance for long-term housing stability for qualifying Lahaina educators.
Direct monthly support for qualifying teachers and coaches facing financial hardship.
Reserved funds for Lahaina's extended rebuilding period.
Essential operating costs including platform hosting, accounting, legal compliance, and payment processing overhead.
Housing, youth, athletic, educational, and emergency-support programs consistent with the mission.
Payment processing fees — explained
We use a PCI-compliant payment processor to handle all credit card and ACH transactions. The processor charges a standard fee (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for cards; lower for ACH bank transfers). These fees are charged by the processor before funds reach Steps for Lahaina — they are not our revenue.
We do not mark up processing fees. We do not take a percentage of donations as a platform fee. The only deductions from your gift are the processor's standard rates and our capped operating costs.
Example: $50 one-time donation
Who receives the funds
Funds go to verified teachers and coaches currently employed at or recently displaced from Lahaina-area schools, and to school programs serving Lahaina students. Recipients are verified through school district records and direct outreach.
We do not fund administrative salaries, lobbying, political activity, or organizations outside the Lahaina educational community. Every recipient and grant amount is published in our quarterly distribution reports.
How we protect your trust
No self-dealing
No board member, officer, or staff person may receive program funds or benefit financially from grant decisions. All conflicts of interest are disclosed and recused.
Open books
Our full financial records are available to any donor on request. We publish quarterly summaries publicly and file Form 990 annually with the IRS.
Restricted funds honored
If you designate your gift to a specific walker or program, those funds are restricted and may only be used for that purpose. Undesignated gifts go to the general program fund.
Refund policy
Donors may request a refund of any unprocessed pledge within 30 days. Processed donations are non-refundable but may be redirected to a different program category on request.
Governing structure
Steps for Lahaina is fiscally sponsored by Players Philanthropy Fund (PPF), a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under U.S. federal law (Federal Tax ID: 27-6601178). Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. You will receive an official receipt from PPF. Learn more at ppf.org.
The organization is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Board meeting minutes and financial summaries are available to the public upon written request.
Tax deductibility: Steps for Lahaina is fiscally sponsored by Players Philanthropy Fund (PPF), a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (Federal Tax ID: 27-6601178). Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. You will receive an official receipt from PPF. Learn more at ppf.org.
Questions about our finances?
We welcome scrutiny. If you have a question about how funds are used, want to see source documents, or want to report a concern, reach out directly.