Pacific Traditions Society

What it reported doing in 2025

All aims were met by the end of year 2 of the Gerda Henkel Stiftung grant program led by Pacific Traditions Society (PTS) and co-led by Holau Vaka Taumako Association (HVTA) of Solomon Islands and Pasana Group (PG) of Papua New Guinea. During 2025 both HVTA and PG completed construction of an ancient design of deep-sea vessel for their voyaging schools, and the process was documented on video. GHS added 25,000.EU to their total grant to meet rising costs of transport and communications, and a supplementary grant by Full Circle met 140,000. USD in costs not covered by the GHS grant. The opening of the Taumako Traditional Culture and Voyaging School was celebrated by the community of HVTA, the leaders of PG and PTS, and other international voyaging school leaders including Mario Benito of Inowon of Polowat, Federated States of Micronesia, Sanakoli John of Pasana Group of Basilaki Island, Papua New Guinea, and Setareki Ledua of Drua Sailing Experience of Fulaga, Fiji, and Pacific Traditions Society staff and supporters Marianne George, Kyle McDonald and Thomas Polacheck. Solomon Islander leaders included the Bishop of Temotu and his party, including a Chief from Tuo Village, Fenualoa Island, Reef Islands. In December, 2025 PTS, Inowon and DSE submitted a proposal to GHS for a grant that would support meeting the same aims during 2026-2028. In May, 2025 HVTA began video documentation of breadfruit fermentation pits and other food security methods by Taumakans, funded by the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme of the British Museum. Throughout 2025 PTS helped HVTA and PG build their own organisational capacities to communicate externally and to administer and seek their own grants and funding sources. During 2025 M. George and H. Wyeth made presentations about PTS, HVTA, and PG projects in California, Australia, London, Hawaiian Islands, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea Saipan, Fiji, and online.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 82.2%; rating input score 82
• Program expense ratio: 95.5%; rating input score 95
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 0%; rating input score 0; 8th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 2 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 29
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Fail
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 13.9%; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.55; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 11.2%; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.3% per year; rating input score 100; 59th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 9.6% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 20.7% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings