Hawai‘i Youth Symphony

When you give to a nonprofit organization, you’re not just making a donation, you’re making a decision about trust. You’re asking: does this organization do what it says? Does it use resources wisely? Is it accountable to its community?

At Hawai‘i Youth Symphony, those are questions we take seriously because the community we serve deserves nothing less. Our commitment to nonprofit best practices runs through everything we do, from how we file our financial disclosures to how we invest in our team. Here’s a closer look at the standards, memberships, and practices that guide how we steward your trust and your generosity.

Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony upholds rigorous financial oversight through an annual independent audit conducted by a CPA-accredited firm operating with professional skepticism and in accordance with auditing standards. The resulting audited financial statements are formally reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors, ensuring appropriate governance and fiduciary accountability. These statements provide a comprehensive view of the organization’s financial position, including detailed reporting on activities, functional expenses, and the stewardship of investment funds. In the interest of transparency, audited financials are made available upon request to donors and stakeholders, reinforcing trust and confidence in HYS’s financial management practices.

HYS holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly GuideStar): the highest rating available and one earned by fewer than 10% of nonprofits nationally. Achieving Platinum status means we go well beyond basic financial reporting. We share detailed information about our programs, leadership, strategic priorities, and demographics so that any donor, grantmaker, or community member can see exactly how we operate.

We’re proud of this distinction, and we’ve heard directly from donors that it matters to them. When people tell us why they chose to give to HYS, our Candid Platinum status comes up, and it’s one of the clearest signals we can offer that we take accountability seriously.

HYS’ President & CEO Randy Wong participates in the Forbes Nonprofit Council, an invitation-only professional community for senior executives at high-impact nonprofits. Membership keeps us connected to the evolving landscape of philanthropic leadership, from governance trends to emerging best practices in organizational management and donor stewardship.

Belonging to this community isn’t a vanity credential. It’s a commitment to staying sharp, staying humble, and bringing what we learn back to our work here in Hawaiʻi.

As a member of the Hawai‘i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO), Hawaiʻi Employers Council, Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance, ARTS FIRST Partnership, and The Kūpuna Collective, HYS actively participates in statewide networks dedicated to strengthening the nonprofit sector across our islands. These memberships connect us to peer organizations, policy conversations, and shared resources that make us better at achieving our vision and better neighbors in the broader Hawai‘i nonprofit community.

Being part of HANO also means we hold ourselves to the standards and ethics that guide nonprofit practice in our state.

HYS maintains a strong governance framework grounded in accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement. The organization reviews its bylaws on a three-year cycle to ensure alignment with state regulations and evolving nonprofit best practices. In parallel, we regularly reflect on our Core Values, which actively inform organizational culture, guide strategic and operational decision-making, and shape interactions with stakeholders.

Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony demonstrates a rigorous commitment to ethical fundraising through its membership in the Association of Fundraising Professionals, engagement with the Hawaiʻi Gift Planning Council, and leadership represented by President Randy Wong’s Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. These standards ensure that contributed funds are raised with integrity, transparency, and respect for donor intent. Our Gift Acceptance Policy further reinforces disciplined stewardship, guiding decisions to align all contributions with our mission, values, and long-term sustainability. Ethical stewardship is further reinforced through the annual review of Conflict of Interest policies for both board members and executive leadership, ensuring that decisions are made with integrity, independence, and in the best interest of the communities we serve.

HYS leadership also actively participates in the League of American Orchestras, the national service organization representing orchestras of every size and scope across the country. The League brings together executive directors, music directors, board members, and administrators to share research, tackle shared challenges, and elevate standards of orchestral practice nationwide.

For HYS, participation in the League means our leadership is not working in isolation. We benchmark our programs against peer organizations, stay informed on national trends in youth arts education, and bring field-wide insights back to the decisions we make here at home. It’s how a community-rooted organization like ours stays connected to the larger ecosystem of orchestral excellence in America.

Transparency isn’t just about what an organization discloses, it’s about the quality of the people making decisions on behalf of the mission. That’s why HYS is committed to ongoing staff training and professional development.

We invest in our team’s growth because a knowledgeable, well-supported staff is essential to sound program delivery, ethical fundraising, and responsible financial management. When our people grow, our mission grows with them.

Earning recognition from Candid and Forbes is meaningful…but we know that trust is built incrementally, through consistent action over time. Every newsletter or report we publish, every training our staff completes, every standard we uphold is a renewed promise to our donors, our students, and our community.

We are grateful for every gift given to HYS, and we take seriously the responsibility that comes with your generosity. Our commitment to best practices is, ultimately, a commitment to you, and to the students whose futures we help shape through the power of music.