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Aloha United Way Inc

Annual Giving
$13.3M
Grant Range
$15K - $0.0M
Decision Time
2mo

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12-14 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Annual application cycle (application review takes several weeks)
  • Grant Range: Varies by programme; Women United grants: $15,000 - $25,000
  • Geographic Focus: Oʻahu, Hawaii (primarily); some statewide initiatives

Contact Details

Address: 200 N. Vineyard Blvd, Suite 700, Honolulu, HI 96817

Phone: 808-536-1951

Fax: 808-543-2222

Email: info@auw.org

Partner Agency Inquiries: impact@auw.org

Website: https://www.auw.org/

Overview

Founded in 1919 by Honolulu philanthropist Frank C. Atherton, Aloha United Way has served the Hawaii community for over 100 years. Originally called the United Welfare Fund, the organisation was created to make philanthropy more efficient by combining fundraising efforts and distributing funds to multiple charities. In its first campaign year, it raised $186,000 for 17 charitable institutions. Today, Aloha United Way raises over $12 million annually and partners with more than 300 nonprofits across Oʻahu. The organisation's mission is to advance the health, education, and financial stability of every person in the community by bringing together resources, organisations, and people. In 2022, AUW distributed $13,348,339 in grants across 164 awards. The organisation focuses on two main impact areas: supporting the ALICE population (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed—representing 44% of Hawaii's community living paycheck to paycheck) and providing Safety Net services for the 11% living below the poverty level.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Partner Agency Programme (Annual)

  • Open to Oʻahu nonprofit agencies providing services in health, education, and financial stability
  • Partner agencies receive funding from the workplace campaign and Combined Federal Campaign
  • Application deadline: typically mid-September
  • Partner agencies receive 100% of donations made to their organisation through AUW with no administrative or processing fees

ALICE Fund (Three-year grants)

  • Supports upward financial mobility for families and individuals in the ALICE population
  • Focus on financial literacy, debt reduction, housing stability, and workforce development
  • Recent grantees include Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Hawaiian Community Assets, and Institute for Human Services

Safety Net Fund

  • Provides basic human needs and support during emergency and crisis situations
  • Supports emergency food, shelter, crisis intervention, and assistance programmes
  • Helps return households to stability after short-term setbacks

Community Care Fund

  • Flexible fund allowing quick response to urgent community needs
  • Addresses systemic challenges requiring long-term solutions
  • Supports food and housing for those facing economic hardship, mental health services, and emergency assistance during crises
  • Example: Deployed swiftly after Maui wildfires to help displaced families

Women United Grants (Annual)

  • Awarded by the Women United affinity group
  • Serves nonprofit agencies supporting women and women-led families on Oʻahu
  • Recent grants totalling $65,000 distributed to three organisations
  • Individual awards: $15,000 - $25,000
  • Contact: fundraising@auw.org

Priority Areas

Health: Mental health services, healthcare access, early childhood development programmes

Education: Early childhood education, post-secondary education access, dual credit certification programmes, educational equity

Financial Stability: Job training, financial literacy, debt reduction, pathways to homeownership, economic mobility for ALICE households

Emergency Services: Disaster response, food insecurity, homelessness prevention, domestic violence services, utility assistance

Housing: Affordable housing development, housing rehabilitation, rental assistance, homeownership programmes for ALICE households

Advocacy Focus: Emergency Food and Shelter (EFSP), Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), Child Tax Credit (CTC)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed on the website. However, the organisation focuses exclusively on Oʻahu nonprofit agencies and requires organisations to:

  • Be compliant with the Hawaii Attorney General's Office
  • Provide services in health, education, or financial stability
  • Serve the broader community (not single beneficiaries)

Contact impact@auw.org for detailed minimum qualifications and exclusions.

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership

Brian Bowers, Board Chair - President & CEO, Bowers + Kubota

Su Shin, Board Vice Chair - President & General Manager, Hawaiian Telcom

Guy Churchill, Board Treasurer - Senior Executive Vice President

The Board of Directors provides strategic guidance and is filled with thought leaders from every sector committed to creating systemic change. The board reviews and vets all partner agencies annually.

Executive Leadership

President & CEO: Michelle Bartell. Previously served as Senior Vice President and Director of Community Advancement at American Savings Bank, where she led charitable initiatives, managed corporate giving, and cultivated relationships across Hawaii's nonprofit sector, schools, and government agencies.

Suzanne Skjold, Chief Operating Officer - More than 25 years' experience in nonprofit leadership

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Partner Agency Application (for new and returning partners):

  1. Applications open each fall (typically early-to-mid August)
  2. Deadline: typically mid-September at 4 p.m. HST
  3. Use e-CImpact online platform to submit applications
  4. Enter Agency Code 13010F to login or create an AUW e-CImpact account
  5. Contact the Community Impact team at impact@auw.org with questions

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be an Oʻahu-based nonprofit organisation
  • Must provide services in health, education, and/or financial stability
  • Must be compliant with Hawaii Attorney General's Office
  • Must meet minimum qualifications (detailed documents available through application portal)

Women United Grants:

  • Separate application process for affinity group grants
  • Contact fundraising@auw.org or visit auw.org/women-united

Combined Federal Campaign:

  • AUW designation number: #56123
  • Partner agencies can receive donations through CFC

Decision Timeline

  • Applications close: mid-September
  • Review committees evaluate applications over several weeks
  • Partner agencies are reviewed annually by AUW staff and review committees
  • Notifications sent following review process completion
  • ALICE Fund awards are typically three-year grants
  • Workplace campaign funds distributed throughout the year as donations are received

Success Rates

Specific success rates for partner agency applications are not publicly available. However:

  • Current partner network includes more than 300 nonprofit agencies on Oʻahu
  • In 2022, AUW made 164 grant awards totalling $13,348,339
  • Early childhood programmes funded by AUW achieved a 69.1% success rate (2,645 of 3,828 children achieving all developmental milestones)

Reapplication Policy

The Partner Agency Programme operates on an annual cycle. Current partner agencies must reapply each year to renew their partnership. Organisations that are not selected can reapply in subsequent years. The application opens each fall for all interested nonprofits, including new applicants and returning partners.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

Mission Alignment: Organisations must demonstrate clear alignment with AUW's focus on health, education, and financial stability. Successful applicants show how their work addresses either ALICE population needs or Safety Net emergency services.

Service to Community: AUW prioritises agencies that serve broad community needs on Oʻahu, particularly those addressing financial instability and crisis situations.

Organisational Vetting: Every partner agency undergoes thorough review and vetting by both AUW staff and review committees. Strong financial management, compliance with AG requirements, and organisational stability are critical.

Impact Measurement: Organisations should demonstrate measurable outcomes. AUW tracks specific metrics like the 69.1% success rate in early childhood development programmes.

Programme-Specific Considerations

ALICE Fund Applications: Focus on programmes that advance financial stability, affordable housing, and access to educational and workforce opportunities. Strong applications address housing rehabilitation, pathways to homeownership for households at or below the ALICE Threshold, financial literacy, and debt reduction.

Safety Net Applications: Emphasise programmes providing basic human needs during crisis situations, including emergency food, shelter, domestic violence services, disaster response, and services to return households to stability.

Women United Grants: Demonstrate specific focus on serving women and women-led families with programmes addressing health, education, or financial stability.

Partnership Benefits to Highlight

Successful applicants understand the full value of partnership beyond direct grants:

  • Access to Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) funding
  • Workplace campaign donations with 0% administrative fees
  • Connection to AUW's network of donors, advocates, and volunteers
  • Organisational growth opportunities and professional development
  • Exclusive access to multiple funding streams (ALICE, Safety Net, Community Care Fund, affinity group grants)

Application Process Tips

  • Use the e-CImpact platform correctly and completely
  • Contact impact@auw.org early in the process with questions
  • Review the application manual thoroughly
  • Ensure compliance with Hawaii Attorney General's Office before applying
  • Be prepared for annual review and reapplication requirements

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • 100+ Years of Community Trust: AUW has been serving Hawaii since 1919, evolving from supporting 17 charities with $186,000 to partnering with 300+ nonprofits distributing $12-14 million annually—demonstrate how your organisation fits into this legacy of community impact.

  • Two Clear Impact Areas: Align your application with either ALICE (supporting 44% of Hawaii's population living paycheck-to-paycheck) or Safety Net (serving the 11% below poverty level in crisis situations)—make this alignment explicit and central to your proposal.

  • No Administrative Fees = Full Funding: Partner agencies receive 100% of donations made through AUW with zero administrative or processing fees—this is a significant benefit to emphasise when discussing sustainability.

  • Multiple Funding Streams: Partnership opens doors beyond the main partner agency funding, including three-year ALICE Fund grants, Safety Net funding, Community Care Fund, Women United grants, and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #56123)—position your organisation to access multiple streams.

  • Annual Cycle Requires Commitment: The partner agency programme operates on an annual application cycle, requiring reapplication and review each year—prepare for ongoing relationship management and annual vetting by staff and review committees.

  • Contact Early and Often: The Community Impact team (impact@auw.org) is available to answer questions—reach out during the application process rather than guessing about requirements or qualifications.

  • Measurable Outcomes Matter: AUW tracks specific impact metrics (like the 69.1% success rate in early childhood programmes)—include concrete, measurable outcomes in your application to demonstrate effectiveness.

References

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