Kawerak Inc
501(c)(3) Donations tax-deductible
81% goes to programs $0 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
Kawerak Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Nome, Alaska, registered in 1977, with $86,867,929 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 81% of spending to programs.
500 Seppala Drive, Nome, AK, 99762 EIN 92-0047009 Since 1977
Revenue (FY2024)
$86.9M
▲ 54.5% vs prior year
Expenses (FY2024)
$86.2M
Net assets
$51.5M
Employees
419
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
B+Program efficiency40% of the rating81% to programs · $0 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Kawerak Inc: 81% to programs · $0 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating7 mo reserves · +1% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Kawerak Inc: 7 mo reserves · +1% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Kawerak Inc: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Kawerak Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Show this grade on your website
A live seal — it updates automatically when the grade changes and links donors to this verified profile.
Mission
Promote the social and economic welfare of members of iras and traditional councils
What they do
Education and employment supportive services division: the education and employment supportive services division eessd is designed to increase the number of trained educated and employed tribal members and to provide early childhood services to address the needs of children and families. kawerak provides financial support comprehensive case management education and training and technical assistance to assist tribal members in reaching their educational objectives or secure employment or complete employment goals to become self-sufficient.
Natural resources division: the natural resources division nrd conducts research projects and advocates for tribes continued subsistence uses in federal and state resource management decision making and encourages the use of traditional knowledge regarding natural resources including the ecosystem land fish animals and birds in the bering strait region.
Administration division: the administration division oversees operations develops strategic actions and facilitates interagency partnerships.
Contact & location
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $27.0M (FY2013) to $86.9M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $45.5MNet assets $51.5M
Operating margin
0.8%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$97.0M
Total liabilities
$45.5M
Net assets
$51.5M
Salaries & benefits
$33.3M
39% of expenses
Board members
23
23 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $86,867,929▲54.5% | $86,167,052▲51.5% | $51,453,553▲2.4% | $96,964,582▲0.5% | 990 |
| 2023 | $56,234,294▼17.8% | $56,884,891▲4.5% | $50,246,792▼1.4% | $96,501,696▼1.7% | 990 |
| 2022 | $68,440,519▲19.7% | $54,418,416▲18.4% | $50,947,616▲33.0% | $98,128,143▲11.9% | 990 |
| 2021 | $57,197,232▲78.4% | $45,948,341▲42.2% | $38,314,330▲43.5% | $87,695,428▲42.6% | 990 |
| 2020 | $32,064,437▼15.6% | $32,301,358▼12.2% | $26,694,617▲0.8% | $61,502,576▲31.1% | 990 |
| 2019 | $37,974,578▼3.3% | $36,771,944▼1.1% | $26,475,625▲8.0% | $46,914,218▲0.5% | 990 |
| 2018 | $39,263,585▲44.6% | $37,188,381▲31.9% | $24,524,932▲6.3% | $46,701,065▲10.8% | 990 |
| 2017 | $27,162,320▼40.3% | $28,199,869▼14.5% | $23,070,572▼2.1% | $42,136,216▼0.4% | 990 |
| 2016 | $45,503,204▲78.5% | $32,972,299▲29.1% | $23,553,930▲114% | $42,300,768▲68.6% | 990 |
| 2015 | $25,493,122▼12.4% | $25,531,650▼10.4% | $11,012,034▼0.3% | $25,083,752▲4.9% | 990 |
| 2014 | $29,104,014▲7.6% | $28,480,604▲4.9% | $11,050,562▲6.0% | $23,905,293▼6.4% | 990 |
| 2013 | $27,040,599 | $27,145,618▼5.5% | $10,427,152▼1.0% | $25,541,961▲12.3% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $28,725,317▲16.6% | $10,532,171▲3.1% | $22,751,599▲0.4% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $24,640,345▼33.0% | $10,214,153▼7.1% | $22,672,088▲11.4% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $36,778,601 | $10,996,516 | $20,346,923 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2024)
Highest-paid: Melanie Bahnke — $603,415 (0.70% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melanie Bahnke | President | 37.5 | $603,415 |
| John Bioff | General Counsel | 40 | $362,704 |
| Donna Ray | Cfo | 37.8 | $347,695 |
| Mary David | Executive Vp | 30 | $263,174 |
| William Gemar | Controller | 43 | $223,037 |
| Deborah Trowbridge | Headstart Director | 40 | $219,398 |
| Julie Raymond-yakoubian | Social Science Pd | 43.6 | $211,791 |
| Debbie Peacock | Cfo | 38.5 | $193,643 |
| Frank Katchatag | Chairman | 13.4 | $96,300 |
| Anna M Oxereok | 2nd Vice Chair | 8.5 | $43,860 |
| Barbara J Gray | Treasurer | 7.5 | $38,700 |
| Jill B Campbell | Sergeant-at-arms | 6.3 | $32,250 |
| Benjamin Payenna | Director | 4.8 | $24,510 |
| Ben Pungowiyi | Director | 4.7 | $24,115 |
| Robert Keith | 1st Vice Chair | 4.5 | $23,220 |
| Charlie Fitka Jr | Director | 3.3 | $16,770 |
| Merlin Koonooka | Director | 3.3 | $16,770 |
| Lucy H Oquilluk | Director | 2.8 | $14,190 |
| Gilbert Tocktoo | Director | 2.1 | $10,820 |
| Matilda Hardy | Director | 2 | $10,320 |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Tumet Industries LLC | Construction | $9,545,752 |
| Mcknight & Associates Inc | Engineering | $3,345,699 |
| Tbi Construction Company | Construction | $1,876,653 |
| Zender Environmental Health and Research Group | Environmental Health and Research | $951,769 |
| Passive Homes LLC | Construction | $919,103 |
Grants received · $11.6M total
36 grants to Kawerak Inc totaling $11.6M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pew Charitable Trusts | Policy | 2024 | $70,000 |
| The Seattle Foundation | To provide general support | 2024 | $25,000 |
| Alaska Community Foundation | Operational support | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Alaska Community Foundation | Operational support | 2023 | $200,000 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc | General operating support | 2023 | $180,000 |
| Pew Charitable Trusts | Policy | 2023 | $70,000 |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation | General nonprofit support | 2022 | $8,000,000 |
| Alaska Community Foundation | Operational support | 2022 | $549,182 |
| Pew Charitable Trusts | Policy | 2022 | $180,000 |
| Norton Sound Health Corporation | Environ & water | 2022 | $171,581 |
| Direct Relief | General local emergency prep & response | 2022 | $60,000 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | General | 2022 | $50,000 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc | Project support | 2022 | $50,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Environmental programs | 2022 | $40,000 |
| Pew Charitable Trusts | Policy | 2022 | $35,723 |
Grants made · $17.7M in FY2024
30 grants totaling $17.7M in FY2024 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by Kawerak Inc →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stebbins Community Association | Federal pass through | $4,968,481 |
| Native Village of Koyuk | Federal pass through | $3,034,356 |
| Native Village of St Michael | Federal pass through | $2,049,106 |
| Alaska Native Heritage Center Inc | Federal pass through | $1,347,900 |
| Native Village of Brevig Mission | Federal pass through | $980,836 |
| King Island Native Community | Federal pass through | $835,165 |
| Native Village of White Mountain | Federal pass through | $591,979 |
| Native Village of Shaktoolik | Federal pass through | $578,979 |
| Quintillion Subsea Operations LLC | Federal pass through | $496,776 |
| Native Village Wales | Federal pass through | $446,868 |
| Village of Solomon | Federal pass through | $391,691 |
| Native Village of Diomede | Federal pass through | $354,296 |
| Native Village of Mary S Igloo | Federal pass through | $243,392 |
| Native Village of Elim | Federal pass through | $196,652 |
| Native Village of Council | Federal pass through | $195,226 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is Kawerak Inc a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Kawerak Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 92-0047009, based in Nome, Alaska. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Kawerak Inc's EIN?
- Kawerak Inc's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 92-0047009.
- How much revenue does Kawerak Inc report?
- Kawerak Inc reported $86,867,929 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Kawerak Inc's spending goes to programs?
- Kawerak Inc spends about 81% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Kawerak Inc have?
- CharityIndex grades Kawerak Inc A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Kawerak Inc's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Kawerak Inc's latest Form 990 is $603,415, paid to Melanie Bahnke (President).
More nonprofits in Nome
Explore more
Data for Kawerak Inc (EIN 92-0047009) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.