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Maurice And Joanna Sullivan Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.9M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.3M
00

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,930,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $300,000
  • Geographic Focus: Hawaii (primarily Honolulu, Hana, Kapolei, Waianae) and Stanford, California
  • Total Assets: $36,514,164

Contact Details

Address: Honolulu, HI 96814-1609
EIN: 48-1259090

Note: No public website, email, or phone number available. This is a private family foundation.

Overview

The Maurice and Joanna Sullivan Family Foundation was established in 2004 to honor the legacy of Maurice J. "Sully" Sullivan, founder of Foodland Super Markets (Hawaii's first and largest locally-owned supermarket chain), and his wife Joanna Sullivan, a distinguished philanthropist who passed away in 2015. With assets exceeding $36 million, the foundation distributes approximately $3 million annually to organizations primarily in Hawaii, with some support extending to California. The foundation focuses on education, human services, and community philanthropy. Joanna Sullivan was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Honolulu Chapter in both 2008 and 2013, and the family's generational philanthropy has shaped Hawaii's community landscape. The foundation made 26 grants in 2023, with typical awards ranging from $25,000 to $300,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private family foundation without formal grant programs or public application cycles. All grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees. Awards typically range from $25,000 to $300,000.

Priority Areas

Based on past giving patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Education: Support for Hawaii educational institutions including universities, K-12 schools, and scholarship programs
  • Health and Human Services: Medical centers, cancer research facilities, and community health services
  • Arts and Culture: Museums and cultural institutions in Hawaii
  • Youth Development: Programs supporting Hawaii's young people
  • Community Development: Various nonprofit organizations serving Hawaii communities

Known Grant Recipients

Past beneficiaries have included:

  • Chaminade University (Sullivan Library)
  • 'Iolani School (The Sullivan Center for Innovation and Leadership)
  • Punahou School (Sullivan Administration building)
  • University of Hawaii Cancer Center (Sullivan Conference Center - $3 million pledge from Joanna Sullivan)
  • Ronald McDonald House Hawaii
  • The Queen's Medical Center West Oahu
  • St. Francis Cardiac Care Center
  • Honolulu Museum of Art
  • Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation

What They Don't Fund

Information not publicly available. As a private family foundation, funding decisions are made by trustees based on their priorities and relationships.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (all serve without compensation):

  • Patrick Sullivan
  • Colleen Sullivan
  • Elliot Loden
  • Jenai Wall
  • Kathleen Wo

The foundation is governed by family members and trusted advisors who knew Maurice and Joanna Sullivan. The trustees appear committed to continuing the Sullivan family's legacy of supporting Hawaii's educational, healthcare, and community institutions.

Historical Context: Maurice J. "Sully" Sullivan (1909-1998) was an Irish immigrant who co-founded Foodland Super Markets in 1948, built the business into Hawaii's largest locally-owned supermarket chain, and brought McDonald's to Hawaii. He was recognized as Philanthropist of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Distinguished Citizen of the Year, and inducted into the Hawaii Business Hall of Fame. His wife Joanna continued and expanded their philanthropic work, being twice named Philanthropist of the Year.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees, typically to organizations with which the family has existing relationships or personal connections.

The foundation does not:

  • Accept unsolicited proposals
  • Maintain an application portal
  • Post grant opportunities
  • Accept applications from organizations they do not already know

Grants appear to be made to organizations that:

  • Are located primarily in Hawaii (with some California exceptions)
  • Have established relationships with the Sullivan family or trustees
  • Align with the family's long-standing philanthropic interests in education, healthcare, and community services
  • Were supported by Maurice and/or Joanna Sullivan during their lifetimes

Application Success Factors

Understanding This Foundation's Approach

Since this is a private family foundation without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding the foundation's giving pattern reveals important insights:

Family Connection and Legacy: The Sullivan family's giving reflects deep roots in Hawaii and commitment to institutions that shaped the state's development. Organizations that can demonstrate alignment with the Sullivan family's values and Hawaii's community needs may be considered.

Educational Excellence: The family has consistently supported educational institutions at all levels, from K-12 schools (Punahou, 'Iolani) to universities (Chaminade, University of Hawaii, Stanford). Major gifts often include naming opportunities that honor the Sullivan legacy.

Healthcare and Human Services: Significant support for medical facilities and services, particularly cancer research and cardiac care, reflects the family's commitment to improving healthcare access in Hawaii.

Sustained Impact: Major gifts have funded facilities and programs with lasting impact, such as library buildings, conference centers, and endowed scholarship programs.

Hawaii Focus: The foundation's giving primarily supports Hawaii-based organizations, with Stanford University being a notable exception, possibly reflecting family connections.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications - do not submit proposals unless specifically invited by trustees
  • The foundation makes grants at trustee discretion based on family priorities and existing relationships, with no public application process
  • Geographic focus is Hawaii, particularly Honolulu and surrounding communities, with occasional support for California organizations
  • Typical grants range from $25,000 to $300,000, with the foundation distributing approximately $3 million annually
  • The foundation supports education, healthcare, human services, arts and culture, and youth development in Hawaii
  • Major gifts often include naming opportunities that honor Maurice and Joanna Sullivan's legacy
  • Organizations seeking support should focus on relationship building with trustees or connections to institutions the family has historically supported

References

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