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McInerny Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.1M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.5M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,087,775 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $127,380,454 (2024)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $500,000+
  • Average Grant: $25,000
  • Number of Awards: ~90-94 annually
  • Geographic Focus: Hawaii only
  • Review Meetings: 3-4 times per year

Contact Details

Administered by: Bank of Hawaii
Phone: 808-694-4399 or 808-538-4945
Mailing Address: PO Box 3170, Dept 715, Honolulu, HI 96802-3170
Grants Administrator: Paula Boyce, AVP and Grants Administrator
Email: paula.boyce@boh.com

Overview

Established in 1937, the McInerny Foundation is one of the largest charitable foundations in the State of Hawaii. The foundation's funds originated from the estates of twin brothers William and James McInerny, and their older sister Ella McInerny, whose wealth was generated in large part by a distinguished clothing establishment in the city of Honolulu. With total assets of $127.4 million, the foundation is honored for its generous contributions to education and social services, to which most of their grantmaking is allocated, while the balance of their funding is distributed for arts and culture, health, environment, and other projects. The foundation operates as a trust with Bank of Hawaii serving as trustee.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Program & General Operating Support: Rolling deadline

  • Range: $2,500 - $100,000 (average $25,000)
  • Support for programs and projects that better the lives of individuals and families in Hawaii
  • Usually provided to organizations having an established relationship with the Foundation
  • Application method: Rolling basis

2. General Capital Support: Rolling deadline

  • Range: Up to $500,000
  • For small capital projects, FF&E (furniture, fixtures, & equipment), renovations, and/or small construction projects
  • Projects requiring permits must be filed PRIOR to submitting a grant application
  • Application method: Rolling basis

3. Major Capital Requests: July 1st deadline

  • Range: $500,000 or more
  • For large capital campaigns, projects or equipment with costs of $500,000 or more
  • Application method: Fixed annual deadline

4. Tuition Aid Program: November 15th deadline

  • For learning institutions serving children from preschool through 12th grade in Hawaii
  • Excludes church schools and organizations which proselytize
  • Application method: Fixed annual deadline

Priority Areas

The foundation awards grants in six major fields:

  • Arts and Culture
  • Community Development
  • Education (primary focus)
  • Environment
  • Health and Rehabilitation
  • Human Services (primary focus)

What They Don't Fund

  • Churches, religious entities, or organizations which proselytize, encourage theology, sectarianism, spiritualism, religion, or any system of religious worship
  • Grants or scholarships to individuals
  • Deficit funding or endowments
  • Purchase of real estate
  • Organizations that "re-grant" McInerny Foundation funds

Governance and Leadership

The McInerny Foundation operates as a trust rather than with a traditional board of directors structure. Bank of Hawaii serves as trustee and administers the foundation's grant programs.

Key Staff:

  • Paula Boyce, AVP and Grants Administrator - Primary contact for grant inquiries and applications

The foundation has a Distribution Committee that reviews grant proposals and makes funding decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for most grant programs, with specific deadlines for Major Capital Requests (July 1st) and Tuition Aid Programs (November 15th).

Key Application Requirements:

  • Organizations must be exempt from federal taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and classified as a public charity
  • Must benefit the people of Hawaii
  • No new requests accepted if a prior pledge or report is still outstanding
  • Organizations are limited to one request per year (with rare exceptions for schools)

Decision Timeline

The Distribution Committee meets 3-4 times per fiscal year to review proposals. Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, but applicants should expect the review process to align with these quarterly meetings.

Success Rates

The foundation made approximately 90-94 grants annually in recent years (94 in 2022, 91 in 2021, 89 in 2020). Specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may submit one request per year. Information about waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplication after a declined proposal.

Application Success Factors

Board Engagement is Critical: The foundation has a strict requirement that 100% of an organization's board of directors make a personal annual financial contribution to the organization, at some level, in addition to participating in fundraising activities. Directors are also required to attend board meetings, volunteer when needed, and make significant efforts to gain community and business support. This requirement demonstrates organizational health and board commitment.

Demonstrate Sustainability: The foundation prefers to be one of several contributors to an activity, expecting applicants to acquire needed funds from several sources to assure continuation of the activity in the future. Show that you have diversified funding and aren't overly dependent on a single funder.

Community Need Assessment: Applications are reviewed considering the community's need for the proposed project in relation to other similar activities and reasonableness of the project's income/expenditure budget.

Established Relationships Matter: The foundation notes that general operating support is "usually provided to organizations having an established relationship with the Foundation," suggesting that first-time applicants may find program or project grants more accessible than general operating support.

Capital Projects: For capital grants, ensure all necessary permits are filed BEFORE submitting your grant application.

Budget Reasonableness: Demonstrate a reasonable and well-planned income/expenditure budget that aligns with project scope and community needs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • 100% board giving is non-negotiable - Ensure every single board member makes an annual financial contribution before applying
  • The foundation strongly prefers projects in education and human services - these receive the majority of funding
  • Limited to one application per year - make it count by aligning closely with priorities and ensuring readiness
  • Established relationships give applicants an advantage, particularly for general operating support
  • Show multiple funding sources and sustainability planning - they don't want to be your only funder
  • For capital projects over $500,000, apply by the July 1st deadline; smaller capital projects have rolling deadlines
  • Applications must demonstrate clear benefit to Hawaii residents - geographic restriction is absolute
  • Average grant is $25,000 - budget requests should be realistic and well-justified relative to this benchmark
  • Ensure no outstanding reports or pledges from previous grants before submitting a new request

References

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