Hawaii Community Foundation

Hawaii Community Foundation. The Hawaii Community Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to address the needs of the Hawaiian Islands community, with a focus on Native Hawaiian communities, Asian Americans, and other underrepresented groups. It works closely with University of Hawaii, Hawaii Department of Education, and Hawaii State Legislature to achieve its goals. The foundation also collaborates with National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Ford Foundation to support arts and culture initiatives.

● History

The Hawaii Community Foundation was established in 1916 by Lorrin Thurston, a prominent Hawaiian businessman and philanthropist, with the support of Queen Liliuokalani and Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. The foundation's early work focused on supporting healthcare and education initiatives, including the Queen's Hospital and Kamehameha Schools. Over the years, the foundation has evolved to address emerging community needs, working with organizations such as American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity to provide disaster relief and affordable housing. The foundation has also partnered with Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and Sierra Club to support environmental conservation efforts.

● Mission_and_Vision

The Hawaii Community Foundation's mission is to address the unique challenges facing Hawaii's communities, with a focus on social justice, economic opportunity, and cultural preservation. The foundation's vision is to create a Hawaii where all individuals have access to quality education, affordable healthcare, and economic opportunities, as envisioned by Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Malala Yousafzai. The foundation is guided by the principles of aloha, ohana, and malama 'aina, which emphasize the importance of community, family, and environmental stewardship, as reflected in the work of Native Hawaiian leaders such as Duke Kahanamoku and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The Hawaii Community Foundation offers a range of programs and initiatives to support Hawaii's communities, including the Hawaii Fund, which provides grants to non-profit organizations working on education, healthcare, and environmental conservation issues. The foundation also offers the Native Hawaiian Leadership Program, which provides scholarships and mentoring to Native Hawaiian students, in partnership with Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Berkeley. Additionally, the foundation supports the Hawaii Arts Alliance, which promotes arts and culture initiatives throughout the state, with the support of National Endowment for the Arts, Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center.

● Grants_and_Scholarships

The Hawaii Community Foundation provides grants and scholarships to support a range of community initiatives, including education, healthcare, and environmental conservation. The foundation's grantmaking program is guided by a community-based approach, which involves working closely with community leaders and non-profit organizations to identify and address community needs, in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Rockefeller Foundation. The foundation also offers scholarships to students pursuing higher education, including the Hawaii Community Foundation Scholarship, which is awarded to students attending University of Hawaii, Brigham Young University, and Chaminade University.

● Community_Impact

The Hawaii Community Foundation has a significant impact on Hawaii's communities, with a focus on addressing social justice and economic opportunity issues. The foundation's work has helped to improve education outcomes, increase access to affordable healthcare, and promote environmental conservation efforts, in partnership with World Health Organization, United Nations, and Environmental Protection Agency. The foundation has also supported the development of affordable housing and community facilities, such as the Hawaii Convention Center and Waikiki Aquarium, with the support of Hawaii Tourism Authority and City and County of Honolulu.

● Leadership_and_Governance

The Hawaii Community Foundation is led by a board of directors composed of community leaders and philanthropists, including Richard Ha, Pierre Omidyar, and Henrietta Lowe. The foundation is also guided by a staff of experienced non-profit professionals, who work closely with community partners and donors to achieve the foundation's mission, in partnership with Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, and National Philanthropic Trust. The foundation's governance structure is designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and community engagement, as reflected in the work of Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg. Category:Non-profit organizations based in Hawaii