Foundations that fund arts and culture in Hawaii
These 25 foundations made grants to arts and culture in Hawaii in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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The Cades Foundation
- $25,000 to Hawaii Contemporary, Honolulu: Unrestricted Gift
- $25,000 to Hawaii Youth Symphony Association, Honolulu: Unrestricted Gift
- $15,000 to Pbs Hawaii, Honolulu: Unrestricted Gift
How to apply: No standard format
Tradewind Group Foundation
- $22,420 to Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, Honolulu: Exempt purposes of the organization
- $10,130 to Honolulu Civil Beat Inc, Honolulu: Exempt purposes of the organization
- $10,000 to Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Honolulu: Exempt purposes of the organization
How to apply: Letter to foundation stating request and purpose of organization
Deadlines: Open year round
Gates Family Foundation
- $8,000 to Hawaiian Mission Childrens Society, Honolulu: Unrestricted
- $7,500 to Bishop Museum, Honolulu: Unrestricted
- $2,500 to Kona Historical Society, Captain Cook: Unrestricted
How to apply: Capital grant applicants should use the common grant application available on the foundation's website: www.gatesfamilyfoundation.org. Please reference our website for more information about our initiated grant making.
Deadlines: Proposal deadlines: march 15 and september 15.
Restrictions: The foundation supports capital projects, which are typically building purchase, construction, expansion, renovation, and/or land acquisition, as well as other forms of initiated grant making for capital, program, operating and other...
The Strong Foundation
- $100,000 to Hawaii Theatre Center, Honolulu: Enriching, educating, engaging our keiki through the arts
- $100,000 to Manoa Heritage Center, Honolulu: Kualii-a cultural treasure and community resource
- $100,000 to Historic Hawaii Foundation, Honolulu: Historic preservation education program
How to apply: Trustee sponsorship is required in order to apply for a grant. Proposals that don't have a trustee sponsor will be declined. Sponsorship generally includes trustee involvement with the charity or the program.
Deadlines: March ist.
Restrictions: Grants are made to hawaii 501(c)(3) charities only. Grants are predominantly for capital needs and of a major nature. Grants are primarily youth oriented.
The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation
- $50,000 to Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Honolulu: General program support
- $25,000 to Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu: General program support
- $25,000 to Hawaii Opera Theatre, Honolulu: General program support
How to apply: Grant applications should provide adequate proof of the organization's tax-exempt status, documentation of its public support and a description of the planned use of the funds required.
Deadlines: Deadlines are january 31st and july 31st; applications are reviewed and approved or denied in march
Restrictions: The foundation is a tax-exempt private foundation whose general purpose is charitable in nature. The foundation does not sponsor or otherwise engage in specific programs at this time, and generally limits its current activities to making...
First Hawaiian Bank Foundation
- $10,000 to East Hawaii Cultural Council, Hilo: To support the expansion of the Youth Artivists Summer Camp.
- $10,000 to Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre, Hilo: To support performing arts program to allow underserved students in Hilo to attend...
- $10,000 to Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Honolulu: To support 2024-2025 concert season.
How to apply: Submit a letter of request detailing the organization's purpose, tax-exempt status, and proposed use of funds.
Deadlines: Applications are accepted at any time.
Restrictions: There are no restrictions.
Central Pacific Bank Foundation
- $15,000 to Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Honolulu: 2024 music gala
- $8,000 to Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, Honolulu: Jcch irasshai festival 2024
- $5,000 to North Hawaii Heritage Foundation, Honokaa: General support
How to apply: For more information regarding application please email cpbfoundation@cpb.bank.
Restrictions: Applications are only accepted online and must include the following attachments: - organization's income statement (or profit/loss statement) for the most recent completed fiscal year. - audited financial statements are preferred but not...
First Insurance Company of Hawaii Charitable Foundation
- $5,000 to Hawaii Opera Theatre, Honolulu: Support general fund
- $2,000 to Historic Hawaii Foundation, Honolulu: 50th anniversary gala
- $1,000 to Hawaii Theatre Center, Honolulu: Support general fund
How to apply: Letter stating the type of activity
Harold Kl Castle Foundation
- $50,000 to Risehi Foundation, Kailua: To support middle school youth in their development and career exploration. [6278; pc]
- $50,000 to Hui Malama O Ke Kai Foundation, Waimanalo: E hoakoakoa: a community & educational space [5166; pc]
- $50,000 to Manoa Heritage Center, Honolulu: Sam cooke endowed fund [4463; pc]
How to apply: See statement 14 - attachment
Deadlines: See statement 14 - attachment
Restrictions: See statement 14 - attachment
Hung Wo and Elizabeth Lau Ching Foundation
- $3,500 to Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu: General purpose
- $3,000 to Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Honolulu: General purpose
- $1,000 to Pbs Hawaii, Honolulu: General purpose
How to apply: Applicants must submit written information regarding its organization and purpose which is then reviewed by the board of directors for submission
Restrictions: Preference is given to organizations exempt under irc 501 and situated in the state of hawaii
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
- $300,000 to Bishop Museum, Honolulu: To continue support for a leadership program focused on indigenous frameworks for...
- $150,000 to Hoaka Mana, Kaunakakai: To support general operations
Restrictions: Activities supported by foundation grants must be charitable, educational or scientific under the provisions of the u.s. Internal revenue code and the treasury regulations.
The Bretzlaff Foundation Inc
- $200,000 to Hawaii Theatre Center, Honolulu: Capital Improvements
- $10,000 to Hawaii Opera Theatre, Honolulu: Education Outreach
How to apply: Applications should be in writing and include the type of organization, its purpose, and the nature and purpose of the grant request.
Bank of Hawaii Charitable Fdn
- $75,000 to Pbs Hawaii, Honolulu: Unrestricted gift
- $50,000 to Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu: Unrestricted gift
How to apply: See footnote.
Deadlines: Grant requests may be submitted at any time.
Restrictions: See footnote.
The James and Juanita Wo Foundation
- $25,000 to Volunteer Ally, Honolulu: General
- $15,000 to Volunteer Ally, Honolulu: General
How to apply: By letter narrating proposal for specific use of grant requested
Restrictions: Grants awarded only to public charities
Altres Foundation
- $20,000 to Pbs Hawaii, Honolulu: Program support grant - education
- $20,000 to Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Honolulu: Program support grant - arts
The Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation
- $20,000 to Pbs Hawaii, Honolulu: To fund charitable needs
- $10,000 to Chamber Music Hawaii, Honolulu: To fund charitable needs
How to apply: Initial application should be made through a concise letter or e-mail of inquiry (one or two pages), which should include the following: 1) a brief statement of the organization's history and goals; 2) the exact purpose of the project and grant request; 3) an explanation of how...
Restrictions: Organization must qualify as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code.
Ama Olukai Foundation
- $15,000 to Polynesian Voyaging Society, Honolulu: General operating support
- $12,000 to Hoola Music and Cultural Arts, Honolulu: General operating support
Restrictions: The ama olukai foundation offers grants to non-profit organizations located in hawai'i. Applicants for grants must be nonprofit organizations as classified under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue service code.
Larry and Beatrice Ching Foundation
- $25,000 to Hawaii Heritage Center, Honolulu: Educational programs
- $1,000 to Bishop Museum, Honolulu: Cultural programs
How to apply: Organizations that apply should do so in writing preferably using their own letterhead.
Deadlines: Applications for grants or contributions may be submitted at any time.
Restrictions: In awarding grants or contributions, the foundation gives preferences to organizations in hawaii. Contributions are made for charitable, scientific, literary, civic, religious, benevolent, educational & philanthropic purposes.
Ma Rikard Charitable Trust C/O Synovus Trust Company
- $15,000 to Storybook Theatre of Hawaii, Hanapepe: Charitable
- $8,000 to Historic Waimea Theater and Cultural Arts Center, Waimea: Charitable
How to apply: In letter form with copy of requesting org. Latest determination letter
Alaska Airlines Foundation
- $10,000 to Aha Punana Leo, Hilo: The Aha Punana Leo, Inc. (APL) is a Native Hawaiian nonprofit organization established in...
- $5,000 to Surfrider Spirit Sessions, Honolulu: Surfrider Spirit Sessions uses a unique combination of athletics, eco-therapy,...
How to apply: Letter of Inquiry
Deadlines: March 31 and July 31
Restrictions: Focus is on education efforts that address a unique need or value of a community.
Shintani Family Foundation
- $8,500 to Hawaii Theatre Center, Honolulu: Charitable
- $2,575 to Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu: Charitable
How to apply: Letter from recognized 501(c)(3) organizations indicating amount needed and purpose for funds needed.
Deadlines: No submission deadlines.
Restrictions: The board of directors will review grant requests from recognized 501(c)(3) organizations and make contributions based upon merit of the applications received.
Dolores F Martin Foundation
- $6,000 to Washington Place Foundation, Honolulu: Unrestricted Gift
- $2,250 to Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts, Honolulu: Unrestricted Gift
How to apply: None specified
Deadlines: No
Restrictions: No
Finance Factors Foundation
- $3,700 to Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Honolulu: Community & civic affairs
- $2,500 to Chamber Music Hawaii, Honolulu: Community & civic affairs
How to apply: Applicant must submit written information concerning their organization and its purpose for review by the board of directors.
Deupree Family Foundation
- $2,000 to East Hawaii Cultural Council, Hilo: General & Unrestricted
- $2,000 to Hui Aloha Kiholo, Kamuela: General & Unrestricted
How to apply: Online application at www.deupreefamilyfoundation.org
Deadlines: September 1 - January 31
Restrictions: $5,000 or less
Caroline Shipman Foundation
- $1,000 to Kona Historical Society, Captain Cook: Operating Funds
- $1,000 to Pacific Tsunami Museum, Hilo: Operating Funds
How to apply: Include the name of the charitable organization mission statement copy of IRS Determination Letter
Restrictions: Generally for use in the County of Hawaii recipients must be tax-exempt or government organizations.
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