Sustaining Our Local Nonprofits

By Jennifer Bulosan
Wednesday - February 10, 2010 Share

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By Jennifer Bulosan, Communications Coordinator
Hawaii Community Foundation

From the farm lands of Waianae Valley to the dorm rooms of UH Hilo, Hawaii Community Foundation is many different things to many different people. We are a grant-maker to nonprofits, a scholarship provider to Hawaii’s students, and a resource for local and national trends affecting Hawaii’s nonprofit sector.

If you spend a day at our foundation, however, you will gather that we’re primarily an organization here to support the initiatives, ideas and generosity of residents who want to sustain our islands through philanthropy.

Founded in 1916, Hawaii Community Foundation has grown into a special kind of charitable organization where the creator is the community. With more than 600 funds and clients, the foundation administers more than $39 million in grants, including $5 million in academic scholarship awards.

Our biennial Board Leadership Conference, “Breaking Boardom,” is one way we offer services to other charitable organizations. With economic challenges on the horizon, this year’s conference is an opportunity for board members of local nonprofits to learn more about today’s governance issues so they may effectively serve as an endorsement of an organization’s integrity and accountability. The conference happens Feb. 16 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Expert speakers will address the latest federal and state tax requirements, fundraising, capacity building, social media for nonprofits. U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye will serve as a keynote speaker.

Students harvest lettuce at MA’O Organic Farms in Waianae, a grantee of various funds from Hawaii Community Foundation

Aside from being a convener for others who want to build and sustain philanthropy in our island state, Hawaii Community Foundation believes in the fundamental principle of increasing philanthropy investments for the community, not just for the foundation. Our role is to help people find their passion in giving and help them to be effective givers, because we believe home is where the heart is.

For more information about the foundation or to sign up for our conference, call 537-6333 or log on to www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org.

Hawaii charitable organizations may send requests for space in either Proof Positive or the free advertisement below to dchapman@midweek.com.