Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $6.7 million (2023)
Total Assets: $190 million
Geographic Focus: Hawaiʻi (25%) and Philippines (75%)
Grant Range: Varies by partnership type
Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process
Founded: 1988

Contact Details

Hawaiʻi Office

Address: 110 N. Hotel Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817
Phone: +1 (808) 532-3939 / +1 (808) 532-3930
Website: https://consuelo.org

Philippines Office

Address: 27F BDO Towers Valero, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227, Metro Manila
Phone: +63 (2) 8290-6230

Contact forms available on website for both offices.

Overview

Founded in 1988 by Consuelo Zobel Alger (1914-1990), this private operating foundation has invested over $135 million across more than 150 partner organizations throughout its history. The foundation operates as a hybrid model, both running direct programs and providing grants to carefully selected partner organizations. With $190 million in total assets and $6.7 million in annual charitable disbursements (2023), the foundation focuses exclusively on the Philippines (75% of funding) and Hawaiʻi (25% of funding). The foundation is led by Chairman Constance H. Lau (former President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries) and President & CEO Gregory Auberry. Consuelo's mission is to inspire hope and healing for children, women, and families through transformative, resilience-building programs and partnerships, with particular emphasis on preventing and treating abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through long-term committed partnerships rather than traditional grant cycles:

Hawaiʻi Anchor Partners Program

Supports a cohort of 10 community-based organizations across the Hawaiian Islands
Long-term, multi-year partnerships focused on cultural initiatives
Investments strengthen internal programming and operational capacity
Recent examples: $25,000 to Ala Kukui, $20,000 to Hawaii Children's Action Network

Network Partners

Collaborative initiatives including CREA-HI (Culturally Relevant Evaluation and Assessment)
Ka Hālauloa a Kanipahu Health Equity Collaborative (established 2021)
Co-founder of Funder Hui and participation in Commit to Keiki Steering Committee

Philippines Programs

Child Abuse Protection and Intervention Network (CAPIN)
Family Strengthening programs
Life Skills Plus
Consuelo on Wheels

Priority Areas

Child Protection: Prevention and intervention for child abuse, neglect, and exploitation
Family Strengthening: Employment, livelihood support, and parenting skills for caregivers
Health Equity: Particularly from rural Native Hawaiian perspectives
Cultural Grounding: Programs rooted in Native Hawaiian and Filipino cultural contexts
Community Capacity Building: Technical training, organizational development, operational support
Youth Development: Life skills, education, and social work services
Housing Support: Community organizing and housing assistance for families

The foundation emphasizes evidence-based strategies, cultural sensitivity, community co-creation of solutions, and programs that engage communities directly.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation:

Only supports organizations in Hawaiʻi and the Philippines (geographic restriction)
Does not accept unsolicited grant applications
Only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations
Focuses exclusively on issues affecting disadvantaged children, women, and families

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

Constance H. Lau, Chairman - Retired President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries, former chair of Hawaiian Electric Company and American Savings Bank boards
Gregory Auberry, President & Chief Executive Officer (Compensation: $329,729 in 2023)
Christina Klemme, Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer
Hoyt H. Zia, Secretary
Directors: Alejandro Z. Padilla, Donald W. Layden, I. Patrick Griggs, Jeffrey N. Watanabe, Patti J. Lyons (former CEO of Child and Family Service), Rachael Wong, Robert S. Tsushima, Timothy E. Johns

Philosophy from Founder: Consuelo Zobel Alger's approach to philanthropy was guided by St. Therese of the Child Jesus. When asked how to determine priorities, she responded: "Whichever is the greatest need." When asked about the extent of assistance needed, she simply stated: "Until the need is filled." Her foundational belief: "What matters in life are not great deeds, but great love."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

The foundation operates as a private operating foundation that:

Identifies and selects partner organizations through its own research and networks
Operates programs directly through staff
Contracts with non-profit or nongovernmental organizations in close partnership
Makes long-term, committed partnerships with selected organizations

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion and invitation only, based on the foundation's strategic priorities and existing relationships within the child protection and family strengthening sectors in Hawaiʻ and the Philippines.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has specific mechanisms for identifying potential partners:

In Hawaiʻi:

Active participation in sector networks including CREA-HI (Culturally Relevant Evaluation and Assessment), Ka Hālauloa a Kanipahu Health Equity Collaborative, Funder Hui (co-founder), and Commit to Keiki Steering Committee
Focus on organizations "rooted in the lands and communities they serve" with cultural grounding
Selection of Anchor Partners characterized by dedication to their communities and commitment to "safe spaces for healing, learning and growth"
The foundation engages holistically with organizations that are "committed leaders and organizations rooted in the lands and communities they serve"

General Approach:

Organizations should be actively working in child protection, family strengthening, or health equity in Hawaiʻi or the Philippines
Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and community-based approaches
Show evidence-based programming and commitment to sustainable impact
Have existing connections to the foundation's network of partners or advisory board members
Patti J. Lyons (board member and former CEO of Child and Family Service) was instrumental in the foundation's founding; sector leaders with similar profiles may have influence

Organizations can use the contact form on the foundation's website to introduce themselves, though this does not guarantee consideration for funding.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on a relationship-based model rather than application cycles. Partnership decisions are made at the discretion of the board and leadership team based on strategic priorities.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only model. The foundation has worked with over 150 partner organizations since 1988, reaching more than 401,500 persons in the Philippines and over 5,000 individuals in Hawaiʻi.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation makes long-term, committed partnerships with selected organizations rather than operating through grant cycles.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations seeking to position themselves for potential partnership should understand:

The Foundation's Core Philosophy:

"Whichever is the greatest need" - prioritizes urgent, high-impact needs
"Until the need is filled" - suggests commitment to comprehensive, sustained support
"What matters in life are not great deeds, but great love" - values compassion and relationship over scale

Partnership Characteristics:

The foundation seeks "like-minded organizations" focused on sustainable community impact
Emphasis on "reciprocity, equity, and transparency" as guiding principles
Partners must demonstrate cultural grounding and community roots
Programs should include "nurturing and collaborative environments"
Commitment to "exploration of new ideas with evidence-based grounding"
"Community co-creation of solutions" is highly valued

Geographic and Programmatic Alignment:

Must operate in Hawaiʻi or the Philippines
Focus on child protection, family strengthening, or related issues (poverty, health, social work, youth development)
Programs addressing abuse, neglect, and exploitation are priorities
Support for employment/livelihood, counseling, community organizing, or housing assistance
Health equity from rural Native Hawaiian perspectives (in Hawaiʻi)

Recent Partners: Organizations currently in partnership include Hui Mālama i ke Ala 'Ūlili, Molokai Child Abuse Prevention Pathways, 'A'a Kuleana, KEY Project, Kūkulu Kumuhana o Anahola, Kumano i ke Ala, Kupu, Ma ka Hana ka 'Ike, Mauliola Ke'ehi, The Maui Farm, Ala Kukui, and Hawaii Children's Action Network.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Do not submit formal grant applications unless specifically invited.
Relationship-Based Funding: All partnerships begin through the foundation's own identification process, board connections, or participation in sector networks. Building visibility in Hawaiʻi or Philippines child welfare sectors is essential.
Long-Term Commitment: The foundation makes "long-term, committed partnerships" rather than one-time grants. They're looking for sustained relationships, not transactional funding.
Geographic Restriction: Only organizations working in Hawaiʻi (25% of funding) or the Philippines (75% of funding) are eligible. This is non-negotiable.
Cultural Grounding Required: Strong emphasis on culturally relevant programming, particularly Native Hawaiian and Filipino contexts. Generic Western models are unlikely to resonate.
Network Participation: Active involvement in the foundation's collaborative networks (CREA-HI, Ka Hālauloa a Kanipahu, Funder Hui, etc.) provides visibility and credibility.
Founder's Philosophy Endures: Decision-making still reflects Consuelo's values: meeting the greatest need, filling it completely, and leading with love rather than transaction. Organizations should emphasize depth of impact and compassionate approach over organizational scale.

References

Accessed: December 17, 2025