Nuestro Futuro Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $925,867 (2022)
• Geographic Focus: Maui County (Maui Nui - includes Maui, Molokai, and Lanai)
• Grant History: Over $3 million donated to Maui nonprofits since 2009
• Foundation Type: Private operating foundation
• Registered Charity Number: 11-3522771

Contact Details

Address: 810 Kokomo Rd #200, Haiku, HI 96708

Phone: (808) 575-9383

Website: https://www.nfuturofoundation.org

Application Page: https://www.nfuturofoundation.org/application

Overview

Nuestro Futuro Foundation is a private operating foundation based in Haiku, Maui, originally established in 1999 to support educational initiatives for children in Bolivia. Founders Peter and Miriam Hagedorn relocated to Maui in 2005, and since then the foundation has dedicated its philanthropic work to supporting communities across Maui Nui (Maui County). Since 2009, the foundation has contributed over $3 million to Maui nonprofit organizations, with $925,867 distributed in grants during 2022 alone.

The foundation serves as both a funder and a connector, offering multi-year unrestricted support to nonprofits while actively collaborating with other philanthropic partners to amplify impact. Nuestro Futuro prioritizes trust-based philanthropy and deeply relational work, positioning itself as a key player in Maui County's philanthropic ecosystem. In 2023, the foundation was honored as Benefactor of the Year at MEO's 37th Volunteer Celebration. The foundation is also a founding member of the Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative, established in response to the 2023 Lahaina wildfires.

Funding Priorities

Focus Areas

Nuestro Futuro Foundation's mission centers on four primary areas:

• Addiction Recovery: Support for holistic treatment programs addressing long-term effects of trauma
• Education: Youth programs, school support, and educational initiatives
• Community Building: Projects that strengthen community connections and collaborative capacity
• Food Security: Programs addressing hunger and supporting local food systems
• Animal Welfare: Support for animal rescue and welfare organizations

Known Grant Recipients

The foundation has supported numerous Maui County nonprofits, including:

• Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO): Multiple grants supporting the Kaohi program on Molokai for substance abuse, bullying, and suicide prevention among youth
• Malama Family Recovery Center: $180,000 over two years ($90,000 annually) for holistic addiction treatment programs including brain and body therapies
• Maui United Way: $80,000 for the Kaukau 4 Keiki summer meals program
• Food Bank of Maui: $150,000 for COVID-19 food relief (2020)
• Common Ground Collective: Community food security programs
• Lahaina Community Land Trust: Community-driven recovery initiatives
• Grow Some Good: Food security and agricultural programs
• Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation: Animal welfare programs
• Haiku Elementary School Foundation: Educational support (seeded by the foundation)
• Maui School Garden Network: Educational gardening programs
• Paia Youth and Cultural Center: Youth programming
• The Book Trust: Literacy and education
• The Wisdom Center for Autism: Special needs support
• Haiku Ho'olaulea Festival: Community cultural events

Grant Characteristics

Based on publicly documented grants, the foundation has awarded grants ranging from approximately $30,000 to $180,000, with many grants in the $80,000-$100,000 range. The foundation emphasizes multi-year commitments and unrestricted funding, allowing organizations greater flexibility in their operations. The foundation distributed 25 awards in 2022.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Abigail Perrin, Executive Director: Perrin emphasizes the importance of connection, collaboration, and belief in the catalytic possibilities of effective philanthropy. Her leadership philosophy centers on trust-based approaches and relational grantmaking.

Board of Directors

• Peter Hagedorn: Founder, who originated the foundation's mission in 1998
• Miriam Hagedorn: Co-founder, relocated with Peter to Maui in 2005
• Lehn Huff: Board Secretary, has lived on Maui for 40 years and joined the board in November 2019

Leadership Quotes

Abigail Perrin has articulated the foundation's values through various statements:

On COVID-19 food relief: "Feeding people on Maui is the first goal in this unsettling time. We knew we had to act quickly. Working together, we can make a difference in the lives of our Maui ohana."

On addiction recovery programs: "Supporting addiction recovery programs that take a holistic approach by addressing the long term effects of trauma are of high importance to Nuestro Futuro."

On youth programs: "Nuestro Futuro is honored to be able to partner with MEO in support of this impactful program for our youth on Moloka'i."

On collaboration: "The capacity for our community to pull together and take swift action to support our youth while simultaneously supporting local agriculture is of great inspiration to us at Nuestro Futuro Foundation. We are honored to be a part of the team."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Nuestro Futuro Foundation accepts grant applications through their website. To begin the grant request process, organizations should visit https://www.nfuturofoundation.org/application and complete the information requested.

The foundation operates with a trust-based philanthropy approach, emphasizing relationships and multi-year partnerships rather than transactional, one-time grants. This suggests that initial conversations and relationship-building may be valued as part of the application process.

Geographic Eligibility

The foundation focuses exclusively on Maui County (Maui Nui), which includes the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Organizations must serve communities within this geographic area.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Given the foundation's emphasis on relational work and trust-based philanthropy, the timeline may vary depending on the nature of the request and the foundation's existing relationship with the applicant organization.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly documented in public sources. However, the foundation's emphasis on multi-year support suggests they value ongoing relationships with grantees and may welcome continued partnership discussions.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented grants and leadership statements, organizations can strengthen their applications by:

Aligning with Core Values: The foundation prioritizes holistic, trauma-informed approaches, particularly in addiction recovery work. Demonstrating how programs address root causes and long-term impacts will resonate with funders.

Emphasizing Collaboration: Perrin's statements consistently highlight the value of collective action and partnership. Applications that show collaborative approaches or partnerships with other organizations may be particularly compelling, as evidenced by the foundation's participation in the Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative.

Serving Youth and Vulnerable Populations: Recent grants show strong support for programs benefiting children, youth, women, and families facing addiction challenges. The foundation's support for Malama Family Recovery Center (the only women-specific addiction treatment center on Maui) and multiple youth prevention programs demonstrates this priority.

Addressing Food Security: Multiple grants during COVID-19 and ongoing support for food-related programs indicate this remains a priority area, particularly programs that connect local agriculture with community needs.

Operating in Underserved Areas: The foundation's support for programs on Molokai suggests interest in ensuring that smaller or more remote communities within Maui County receive resources.

Building Community Capacity: Beyond individual program support, the foundation values initiatives that strengthen the broader community fabric and catalyze additional resources or connections.

Demonstrating Cultural Competence: References to "Maui ohana" and support for cultural programs like the Haiku Ho'olaulea Festival suggest appreciation for approaches that honor Hawaiian cultural values and community traditions.

Taking Action During Crisis: The foundation's rapid response during the COVID-19 pandemic and participation in wildfire recovery efforts shows they value organizations that can mobilize quickly and effectively during community emergencies.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Trust-based approach means relationships matter: This foundation emphasizes multi-year unrestricted support and relational work, suggesting that building authentic connections and demonstrating shared values may be as important as the formal application itself.

• Focus on Maui County only: Geographic restriction is firm - organizations must serve Maui, Molokai, or Lanai communities. Statewide or Big Island programs would not be eligible.

• Holistic, trauma-informed approaches preferred: Particularly in addiction recovery and youth programs, the foundation seeks approaches that address root causes and long-term impacts rather than surface-level interventions.

• Collaboration is highly valued: The foundation sees itself as a "connector" and participates in collaborative funding initiatives. Demonstrating partnership approaches or willingness to work within broader community efforts will strengthen applications.

• Multi-year commitments are possible: Unlike many funders, Nuestro Futuro explicitly offers multi-year support, making this an excellent prospect for organizations seeking sustained partnership rather than one-time grants.

• Unrestricted funding available: The foundation's commitment to trust-based philanthropy includes offering unrestricted support, reducing reporting burden and allowing organizational flexibility.

• Responsive to community needs: Track record of rapid response during COVID-19 and participation in wildfire recovery efforts shows the foundation values agility and community responsiveness. Organizations demonstrating ability to adapt to emerging needs may find a receptive funder.

References

• Nuestro Futuro Foundation Official Website: https://www.nfuturofoundation.org (accessed March 3, 2026)
• Nuestro Futuro Foundation About Page: https://www.nfuturofoundation.org/about (accessed March 3, 2026)
• Nuestro Futuro Foundation Application Page: https://www.nfuturofoundation.org/application (accessed March 3, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Nuestro Futuro Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/113522771 (accessed March 3, 2026)
• Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/113522771 (accessed March 3, 2026)
• Maui Now: "Cliff Alakai, Nuestro Futuro Foundation honored at annual nonprofit event" (February 16, 2023)
• Maui Now: "Nuestro Futuro provides grants to support Moloka'i Kāohi program" (September 15, 2024)
• Maui News: "Hawai'i-based Nuestro Futuro provides two grants this year to support the MEO Kaohi program to benefit Molokai youth" (September 2024)
• Maui Now: "Maui nonprofit receives $180,000 grant for holistic approach to addiction recovery" (June 26, 2022)
• Maui News: "Nuestro gives $150,000 for food" (June 2020)
• Maui Now: "$80K Donated to Maui United Way to Support Kaukau 4 Keiki Summer Meals" (June 30, 2021)
• Maui Now: "Philanthropic leaders establish multi-million dollar Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative" (January 6, 2025)
• MEO Inc.: "Cliff Alakai named MEO Volunteer of the Year and Nuestro Futuro Foundation is Benefactor of the Year" (2023)
• Maui Behavioral Health Resources: "Malama Family Recovery Center Receives $180,000 Award" (2022)