What Partners in Development Foundation does

Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 1997 and headquartered in Honolulu, Hawai'i, with operations across all major Hawaiian islands (O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Hawai'i Island). The organization delivers free, culturally grounded programs to Native Hawaiian families, at-risk youth, homeless families, and adjudicated youth, drawing on Native Hawaiian values (aloha, lōkahi, mālama, pono, po'okela) and proprietary curricula such as the Na'u Ke Kuleana parenting framework, the Family-Child Interaction Learning (FCIL) model, and the Community School Strategy Four Pillars. Its portfolio includes 12 interconnected programs spanning early childhood education (Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool at 24 locations, Ka Pa'alana), family education (Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana), youth rehabilitation (Ke Kama Pono Safehouse with a reported 79% success rate vs. 26% national average), workforce development (Kīʻapu), community schools (Piha Me Ka Pono in 8 DOE schools), natural farming (Kupa ʻAina), and crisis response (Maui Response post-2023 wildfires, COVID-19 response).

The organization operates a community-based direct service delivery model through mobile preschools, home visiting programs, and site-based services in partnership with schools, shelters, churches, and community centers. PIDF reports serving over 148,000 family members across 28 years of operation, with 51% of those served identifying as Native Hawaiian. Revenue is generated primarily through federal, state, and foundation grants (notably a $20 million, eight-year W.K. Kellogg Foundation Racial Equity 2030 Challenge award), supplemented by individual and corporate donations, planned giving, and annual fundraising events such as the Ulu Hana: Pewa Awards gala. The organization states that 92% of foundation funds went directly to community service in 2020, with only 8% to overhead. Leadership is led by President & CEO Shawn Kana'iaupuni, Ph.D., alongside a C-suite (COO Terry Nakamura, CFO Summer Uwono, CSO Laura Dang) and a Board of Directors chaired by Kimo Todd.

Name

Partners in Development Foundation

Legal name

Partners in Development Foundation

Website

https://pidf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Partners in Development Foundation is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1997, that delivers free, culturally grounded Native Hawaiian education, family support, youth rehabilitation, and community resilience programs across all major Hawaiian islands, serving over 148,000 family members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Intervention & PBIS Supports (Tiered, Gen Ed) (EDAJAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Student Wellness & Prevention Programs (Substance Use, Sexual Health, Bullying) (EDAJAIAG)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Family education services
• Youth workforce development
• Community school programs
• Homeless family services

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary revenue source from federal, state, and foundation grants including Native Hawaiian Education Program, Department of Education grants, and private foundation funding
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: Charitable contributions from individuals and corporations through donation pages, events like Ulu Hana Pāʻina, and planned giving programs
3. Special Events and Fundraising: Annual events including Ulu Hana: Pewa Awards gala that raised over $225,000 at 25th anniversary celebration
4. IRS Section 501(c)(3) Nonprofit: Tax-exempt charitable organization incorporated in 1997, eligible for tax-deductible contributions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) is a nonprofit organization delivering a portfolio of free community-based programs to Native Hawaiian families and youth across Hawai'i. Its offerings span early childhood education (Tūtū and Me, Ka Pa'alana), family education (Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana), youth rehabilitation (Ke Kama Pono), workforce development (Kīʻapu), community school coordination (Piha Me Ka Pono), and sustainable farming (Kupa ʻAina). All programs are delivered free of charge, grounded in Native Hawaiian values (aloha, lōkahi, mālama, pono), and operate across all major Hawaiian islands through community-based sites and mobile outreach.

Product overview

Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected community service programs focused on Native Hawaiian families and youth. The organization operates multiple programs including early childhood education (Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool, Ka Pa'alana), family education (Nā Pono No Nā 'Ohana), youth development (Ke Kama Pono, Ka Hana No'eau), workforce development (Kī'apu), community schools (Piha Me Ka Pono), and sustainable agriculture (Kupa 'Aina). These programs share a common framework of cultural grounding, family-centered approaches, and community resilience building, serving over 128,000 keiki and families across Hawai'i since 1997.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool: Early childhood education and parenting/caregiver support program for families with keiki birth to five years old, operating at 24 locations across Hawai'i.
• Ka Pa'alana
• Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana
• Ke Kama Pono
• Kupa ʻAina
• Kīʻapu
• Piha Me Ka Pono
• Ulu Hana: Pewa Awards

Quantifiable outcome

• 79% success rate for Ke Kama Pono program compared to 26% national average for adjudicated youth
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• INPEACE (Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCIL partner in KAʻA (Keiki Assets Account) program. Collaborative partner Ho'oulu Waiwai works with individuals and families to strengthen financial well-being through partnerships, pathways and learning experiences.
• American Savings BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial institution partner for KAʻA Child Savings Account Program. Families utilize ASB for personal deposits to child savings accounts. ASB also provides financial literacy workshops.
• ʻAha Pūnana LeocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCIL partner in KAʻA program. Hawaiian language immersion preschool organization eligible for child savings account program.
• Kinai ʻEhacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizational partner for Kīʻapu workforce development program. Combines cultural mentorship with practical training to guide youth toward success.
• HoʻokuaʻāinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner for Ke Kama Pono program. Youth work with Ho'okua'āina to learn about ancient Hawaiian kalo production in traditional loʻi, building understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian culture.
• Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute (HIPHI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host GBAC (Global Biorisk Advisory Council) training and certifications in infectious disease control. Training equipped families and community members with knowledge to respond to biohazards and COVID-19.
• College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Waimānalo Learning Center for ʻāina-based family excursions and learning about research activities supporting families.
• Hawai'i Afterschool AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing professional development and capacity-building opportunities for Piha Me Ka Pono Community School Coordinators.
• Ceeds of PeaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing professional development for Community School Coordinators in implementing community school strategy.
• National Center for Families Learning (NCFL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCFL's Family Education model incorporated into Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana program. Model proven to address family engagement, academic achievement, and community strengthening.
• Nā Honua Maoli OlacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNā Hopena Aʻo framework (Hawaiʻi Guidelines for Culturally Healthy and Responsive Learning Environments) incorporated into Nā Pono program practices.
• NHPI 3R (Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander COVID-19 Response, Recovery & Resilience Team)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 60 agencies and organizations comprising team to improve data collection, support initiatives, and establish presence in decision-making for NHPI communities.
• Our KuleanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based effort to mobilize Hawaiʻi during critical times, initiated during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Covid PauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-led hui delivering information to beat COVID-19. Turns data into knowledge and knowledge into action.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ALU LIKE, Inc. Native Hawaiian organization providing a broad portfolio of community services including education, workforce development, economic development, and cultural preservation across Hawai'i. Directly comparable to PIDF in target population, service breadth, and Native Hawaiian values-based approach.
• INPEACE (Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture): Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander education nonprofit operating family education, early childhood, and financial literacy programs. Already a strategic PIDF partner through the KAʻA Child Savings Account program; directly comparable in mission, target demographic, and culturally grounded service model.
• Susannah Wesley Community Center: Honolulu-based community center providing early childhood education, youth programs, and family services to low-income and immigrant communities in Hawai'i. Directly comparable to PIDF's Ka Pa'alana in serving vulnerable families through integrated early childhood and social services.
• Parents And Children Together (PACT): Hawai'i-based nonprofit providing early childhood education, family strengthening, and community-based social services to vulnerable families. Directly comparable to PIDF in target population, free service delivery model, and integration of early childhood with family support services.
• Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement: Native Hawaiian community development organization supporting housing, economic self-sufficiency, and community resilience across the state. Comparable in Native Hawaiian values-based community development focus and statewide reach.
• Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii: Hawai'i affiliate of the Boys & Girls Club of America network, serving youth across the state with after-school programs, mentoring, and youth development services. Comparable in youth-development focus, free service delivery, and statewide Hawai'i footprint.

Emerging players

• Hawaiian Community Assets: Native Hawaiian-focused nonprofit providing financial capability coaching, savings programs, and housing support. Partially comparable to PIDF's Kī'apu and Project Pilina programs in workforce/financial empowerment work, with narrower service focus.

Broad incumbents

• Family Promise: National nonprofit addressing family homelessness through shelter, prevention, and stabilization programs. Comparable to PIDF's Ka Pa'alana in serving homeless families with integrated education and social services, though operates nationally rather than in a single state.
• Kamehameha Schools: The largest private Native Hawaiian education institution, serving over 50,000 students annually through K-12 schools, preschools, and post-secondary programs across Hawai'i. Comparable to PIDF in its Native Hawaiian cultural grounding and cradle-to-career education mission, but with significantly larger endowment and broader institutional scope.
• YMCA of Honolulu: Hawai'i affiliate of the national YMCA network providing youth development, early learning, and community wellness programs. Comparable to PIDF in early childhood education delivery, youth programming, and statewide Hawai'i footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpHiydc8guUN_-jWZplaamQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/PIDFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/pidfoundation
• Xx.com/pidfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/partners-in-development-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Partners in Development Foundation