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Hawaii Community Foundation

Annual Giving
$107.4M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Hawaii Community Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $107.4 million (2023, from HCF funds)
  • Total Assets: ~$1 billion administered
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 3 months from deadline
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000 (typical program grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Hawaii statewide

Contact Details

Website: https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org

Main Office (O'ahu):
827 Fort Street Mall
Honolulu, HI 96813

Neighbor Island Offices:

  • Kaua'i: 4268 Rice Street, Suite K, Līhu'e
  • Maui: 395 Dairy Road, Unit G, Kahului
  • Hawai'i Island: PO Box #1476, Hilo

Grants Inquiries: changegrants@hcf-hawaii.org
Grants Portal: https://hawaiicf.smartsimple.com

Overview

Founded in 1916 as the Hawaiian Foundation and formally reorganized in 1987-1988, the Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) is one of the oldest community foundations in the United States, ranking among the top 40 largest community foundations in the nation. The foundation stewards more than 1,160 funds, including over 300 scholarship funds, and administers approximately $1 billion in assets. In 2023, HCF distributed $107.4 million in grants to nonprofits across Hawaii, including $7.4 million in scholarships—the highest annual scholarship total in HCF history. The foundation's mission is to "inspire generosity, advocate for equity, forge connections and invest in community to create a better Hawai'i," working toward a vision of "an equitable and vibrant Hawai'i where all of our island communities thrive." Since August 2025, HCF has been led by CEO and President Terry George, who previously spent over two decades at the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. The organization holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is accredited by National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

HCF offers multiple grantmaking programs with varying amounts and application methods:

CHANGE Grants: $10,000 - $50,000
General operating and program support across six community sectors. In 2021, the program distributed $7,055,027 across 194 awards. Application schedule varies by program cycle.

Holomua Marine Initiative Pāpio Grants: Up to $10,000
Quarterly deadlines (Q2, Q3, Q4) supporting programs that advance effectively managed nearshore marine areas with community engagement.

Maui Strong Fund Grants: Variable amounts
Recovery support for communities affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires. Applications submitted through the Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative. As of July 2024, the fund has raised over $195 million and deployed more than $109 million to 196+ partners.

Community Grants: Variable amounts
Project and program-based funding for Hawaii nonprofits. Application schedule varies.

Health and Wellness Grants: Variable amounts
Support for ecosystem-wide health improvements statewide.

Kūpuna Aging in Place: Variable amounts
Elderly services and caregiver support programs.

Supporting Healthy Development of Young Children: Variable amounts
Programs serving children ages 0-5.

Priority Areas (CHANGE Framework)

HCF organizes its funding around six essential sectors represented by the CHANGE acronym:

  1. Community Centered Economy - Community and economic development, workforce support, affordable housing
  2. Health and Wellness - Healthcare access, mental and behavioral health, wellness initiatives
  3. Arts and Culture - Cultural preservation, Hawaiian culture, arts programming
  4. Natural Environment - Watershed protection, freshwater security, marine conservation, environmental resilience
  5. Governance - Civic engagement, community leadership, government partnerships
  6. Education - Educational access and achievement, early childhood development, youth programs

In 2023, sector distribution of grants was: Community & Economy ($48.5M), Health & Wellness ($24.0M), Education ($13.7M), Natural Environment ($8.3M), Government & Civics ($7.2M), and Arts & Culture ($5.7M).

What They Don't Fund

HCF will not fund:

  • Endowments or loans
  • Grants to individuals (except scholarships)
  • Large capital projects (rare exceptions may apply)
  • Retroactive funding for completed projects or events
  • Organizations that illegally discriminate

Governance and Leadership

Board of Governors

Chair: Peter Ho, Chairman & CEO, Bank of Hawai'i
Vice Chairs: Kaleialoha Cadinha-Pua'a (President & CEO, Cadinha & Co., LLC); Tamar Chotzen Goodfellow (Philanthropist & Community Volunteer)
Secretary: Mary G. F. Bitterman, President, The Bernard Osher Foundation
Treasurer: Alan H. Arizumi, Vice Chairman, First Hawaiian Bank

Board Members: Jeff Arce (Senior Advisor, The MacNaughton Group), Matt Beall (CEO & Owner, Hawai'i Life), Jason Benn (SVP & CIO, Hawaiian Electric Company), Robert S. Harrison (Chairman & CEO, First Hawaiian Bank), Paul Kosasa (CEO & President, ABC Stores), Jon B. Kutler (Chairman & CEO, Admiralty Partners, Inc.), Ulalia Woodside Lee (Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy in Hawai'i), Arnold Martines (Chairman, President & CEO, Central Pacific Bank), Elliot K. Mills (CEO, Hawai'i Hospitality Group LLC), Catherine Ngo (President and Chair, Central Pacific Bank Foundation), Juliette K. Sheehan (Board Member, Atherton Family Foundation and James & Abigail Campbell Family Foundation), Jennine Sullivan (Executive Director, The Pantry by Feeding Hawai'i Together)

Executive Leadership Team

Terry George, Chief Executive Officer & President - Joined HCF in August 2025 after leading the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation for over 20 years. George describes his leadership approach as collaborative, stating: "I see my role as more of an orchestra conductor, a connector." He emphasizes working with public agencies while remaining "patient when we need to be, but focused and persistent."

Michelle Ka'uhane, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President
Kawena Beaupre, Senior Vice President & General Counsel
Wally Chin, Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer
Michelle Hee, Vice President of Strategic Communications
Larissa Kick, Vice President of Community Grants & Initiatives
Mary Leong Saunders, Vice President of Philanthropy
Lynn Shimono, Vice President of Finance

Strategic Direction

CEO Terry George has articulated HCF's response to funding uncertainties: "The Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund is designed to complement — not duplicate — state resources by offering more nimble, transparent, and transformative support," adding "Our goal is to collectively build a nonprofit sector that is prepared, not just reactive; collaborative, not siloed; sustainable, not fragile." He explained the strategic approach: "When fashioning a grantmaking strategy, it helps by starting with clear data on the nature of the problem. That's why we commissioned research from UHERO. It also helps by building the capacity of anchor organizations such as HANO."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All HCF grant applications are submitted through the HCF Grants Portal at https://hawaiicf.smartsimple.com. Organizations must register with a primary Account Contact. Check if your organization already has an account, as existing users from the past 7 years may have pre-existing access.

Application Resources Available:

  • User Guide covering profile setup to application tips
  • FAQ page for common questions
  • Video tutorials on registration, navigation, organization certification, and application tips
  • Support ticket system for portal-related technical questions
  • Printable Grants Calendar for tracking deadlines
  • Fiscal sponsor materials for organizations requiring that designation

Technical Tips:

  • Use the portal's navigation arrows rather than browser back buttons to avoid logout issues
  • Organizations must maintain current annual recertification to submit applications
  • Email notifications are sent for all submission confirmations and decisions

Decision Timeline

Typically, applicants will be notified within three months of a proposal deadline. Some programs have regularly scheduled deadlines listed in the Grants Calendar, while others operate on rolling deadlines reviewed throughout the year.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the foundation distributed $107.4 million across numerous programs in 2023, suggesting competitive but accessible opportunities depending on program and fit.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Applicants should review individual program guidelines or contact program staff for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Lessons from HCF's Approach

During crisis response, HCF learned valuable lessons that inform their grantmaking philosophy:

  • Trust nonprofits to identify their communities' needs rather than imposing external solutions
  • Rely on data to drive decision-making
  • Work closely with other funders and government for coordinated impact
  • Remain flexible enough to adjust as circumstances change

HCF's Grantmaking Priorities

CEO Terry George emphasizes that the foundation will "prioritize organizations with the greatest need, community importance and capacity to maximize resources." This suggests successful applications should demonstrate:

  • Clear evidence of community need
  • Strategic importance to Hawaii communities
  • Organizational capacity to effectively use grant funds
  • Alignment with the CHANGE Framework sectors

Successful Project Examples

Recent funded projects provide insight into HCF's priorities:

Housing and Community Infrastructure: The Maui Strong Fund provided $55 million for housing recovery, including $40 million for the 450-unit Ka La'i Ola temporary housing project and $7 million in homeowner bridge loans through partnerships with banks and Federal Home Loan Banks.

Emergency Services: $1.9 million for a new Maui Fire Department station in Olowalu and $2 million for specialized fire trucks.

Environmental Resilience: Fresh Water Initiative funded nine community partners with $555,000 in 2023, laying groundwork for the Hawaiian Islands Environmental Finance Center (secured $3.2M in federal funding over 5 years).

Comprehensive Community Support: Maui Strong Fund allocated $20 million for emergency response and grief counseling, $21 million for cash assistance and workforce development, and $2 million for watershed resilience and water quality.

Application Best Practices

  • Read program-specific guidelines carefully - Requirements vary significantly by grant program
  • Demonstrate community alignment - Show how your work fits within the CHANGE Framework sectors
  • Use data to support your case - HCF values evidence-based approaches
  • Show collaborative capacity - Partnerships with other organizations and government agencies are valued
  • Be specific about capacity - Clearly demonstrate your organization's ability to deliver results
  • Plan for sustainability - Show how the project will continue beyond the grant period where applicable

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • CHANGE Framework alignment is critical - Structure your proposal to clearly fit within one or more of the six sectors (Community Centered Economy, Health and Wellness, Arts and Culture, Natural Environment, Governance, or Education)
  • Data-driven approaches are valued - CEO Terry George emphasizes starting "with clear data on the nature of the problem" when developing grant strategies
  • Collaborative partnerships strengthen applications - HCF values working "closely with other funders and government" and supports anchor organizations
  • Organizational capacity matters - Applications should demonstrate "capacity to maximize resources" and organizational readiness
  • Three-month decision timeline - Plan your funding pipeline accordingly with typical 3-month notification periods from deadlines
  • Portal proficiency is essential - Familiarize yourself with the online grants portal, watch tutorial videos, and ensure annual recertification is current before applying
  • Systems change focus - HCF is developing a 10-year strategic plan emphasizing systems change and equity, suggesting preference for transformative rather than incremental approaches

References

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