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Henry And Colene Wong Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.3M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $276,300 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $3,300 - $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Hawaii (primarily Honolulu/Oahu)

Contact Details

Address: 850 W Hind Dr Ste 214C, Honolulu, HI 96821-1853

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or publicly listed contact information. Previous addresses have been listed as 2250 Kalakaua Ave Ste 404-5, Honolulu, HI 96815-2575.

Overview

The Henry and Colene Wong Foundation was established in 1991 as a private foundation in Hawaii. With total assets of approximately $5.4 million, the foundation distributed $276,300 in grants during 2023 across 14 awards. The foundation honors the legacy of Henry Wong, a 1931 graduate of Saint Louis High School with deep ties to Hawaii's Windward side and St. Ann's Church in Heeia. The foundation focuses on supporting human services, food security, educational institutions, and Catholic schools throughout Hawaii, with a particular emphasis on Oahu-based organizations. The foundation has historical connections to the Hawaii Community Foundation, which has managed the Henry H. Wong Fund that previously provided major gifts to Catholic schools in Hawaii.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private foundation with discretionary grant-making. Recent grants have ranged from approximately $3,300 to $50,000, with most grants falling in the $11,000 to $36,000 range.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant-making patterns, the foundation supports:

  • Human Services: Organizations providing direct services to vulnerable populations
  • Food Security and Hunger Relief: Meals on wheels programs and food services
  • Youth Development: Programs serving at-risk youth and child welfare
  • Health Services: Community health centers
  • Education: Catholic schools and educational institutions, particularly those with historical connections to the Wong family
  • Community Development: Settlement houses and community service organizations

Recent grantees have included:

  • Palama Settlement ($36,000)
  • Adult Friends For Youth ($11,000)
  • Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii ($11,000)
  • Waikiki Health Center ($11,000)
  • Hawaii Meals On Wheels
  • Catholic schools (Saint Louis, St. Ann's, St. Anthony's, and St. Francis)

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available.

Governance and Leadership

President/Secretary: Gordon J Mau (Compensation: $3,322) Vice President: Dominic Dias Treasurer: Greg Mau Directors: Dwight Otani, Blenn Fujimoto

Colene Wong continues to maintain relationships with the institutions supported by the foundation, carrying on the philanthropic legacy established by Henry Wong. In speaking about major gifts to Catholic schools, she emphasized flexibility in how recipients use funding: "They each have their own needs, and it's up to them to decide what to do with this."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates as a private foundation with grants awarded at the discretion of the trustees.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's grant-making history, they appear to identify potential grantees through:

  • Board connections: Trustees and directors identify organizations they are familiar with in the Hawaii nonprofit sector
  • Historical relationships: The foundation maintains ongoing support for institutions with connections to Henry Wong's family history and personal relationships, particularly Catholic schools and Windward Oahu organizations
  • Pre-existing relationships: Organizations that have received funding continue to receive support over multiple years

Organizations seeking support may consider building relationships within Hawaii's philanthropic community and ensuring their work aligns with the foundation's demonstrated interests in human services, food security, youth development, and education in Hawaii.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. As a private foundation making discretionary grants, decisions are made by trustees on their own timeline.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 14 awards in 2023 and 14 awards in 2022.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

As a private foundation without a public application process, success in receiving funding appears to depend on:

  • Geographic focus: Strong preference for Hawaii-based organizations, particularly on Oahu
  • Alignment with core interests: Organizations working in human services, food security, youth development, health, and education
  • Catholic education connections: The foundation has made major gifts to Catholic schools with historical ties to Henry Wong's family
  • Established track record: Recent grantees appear to be well-established organizations with proven programs
  • Community impact: Organizations providing direct services to vulnerable populations in Hawaii communities
  • Multi-year relationships: Pattern suggests ongoing support for organizations rather than one-time grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Private foundation model: This is a discretionary grant-maker without a public application process; grants are awarded based on trustee knowledge and relationships
  • Hawaii focus: Strong geographic preference for Hawaii organizations, particularly on Oahu
  • Modest grant sizes: Most recent grants range from $11,000 to $36,000, making this appropriate for smaller to mid-sized organizational needs
  • Human services priority: Clear focus on organizations serving vulnerable populations through food, health, youth development, and family services
  • Educational legacy: Significant historical support for Catholic schools with personal connections to the Wong family
  • Relationship-based: Building visibility within Hawaii's nonprofit and philanthropic community may be the most effective path to consideration
  • No website or public contact: Foundation maintains a low public profile and does not provide application guidelines

References

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