The Atherton Family Foundation makes grants for programs that benefit the people of Hawai‘i.
Donor Name: Atherton Family Foundation
State: Hawaii
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/05/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
The Foundation currently funds in the following areas: arts, culture, and humanities; community development; education; environment; health; human services; spiritual development; and youth development.
The Foundation believes that addressing major community issues cannot be done by one organization alone. The Foundation supports organizations working collaboratively to address systems change.
Funding Information
Organizations requesting support for a major capital program, with a total capital program budget over $500,000, must have raised a minimum of 60% of the program budget before submitting the application. The maximum grant for major capital programs will be $200,000, normally paid out over three years.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) public charity. Organizations that are not a 501(c)(3) public charity must apply with a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Public charities that are further classified as a 509(a)(3) supporting organization are eligible to apply except for Type III nonfunctionally integrated supporting organizations.
- If an organization applies through a fiscal sponsor, the fiscal sponsor must agree that the purpose of the grant is charitable, to monitor the grant program, control the expenditure of grant funds, and ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant.
- Program requests for all areas will ONLY be accepted at the January, April, and October deadlines for consideration. The Foundation does not limit the amount that can be requested for program requests. The Foundation’s average program grant award is ~$19,000.
- Capital requests will ONLY be accepted at the July deadline for consideration by the board at their September meeting. Capital requests are for tangible assets that are depreciated, for example equipment, vehicles, buildings, etc. Please see the addendum for large capital requests for more detailed information on requirements. The Foundation’s average capital grant award is ~$38,000.
- When considering requests for technology support, preference will be given to technology proposals that will result in a significant change that improves the non-profit organization’s operations and/or programs. Grants for technology related items/programs require a 1:1 match from the organization. Grants for website development or the on-going costs for website, software, and hardware replacement and/or upgrades will generally not be funded.
- The Foundation does not accept requests from the Hawai‘i State Department of Education schools or public charter schools
- The Foundation does not accept requests from the University of Hawai‘i.
- The Foundation does not fund conferences, festivals, and similar one-time events; activities that have already occurred; lobbying; loans; funds for re-granting and grants to individuals or for the benefit of identified individuals (except scholarships through the Juliette M. Atherton Scholarship and the Community Scholarship Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation).
- The Foundation generally does not fund endowments or operating support.
- The Foundation does not serve as the sole funder of any organization and generally does not serve as the sole funder for any program.
- The Foundation will award no more than one grant to an organization at a time and no more than one grant in any calendar year.
- The term of a grant is usually one year. In the case of a multi-year pledge, payments are released in twelve-month intervals, and each payment is contingent on receipt of a satisfactory progress report.
- The Foundation generally does not fund a program or organization for more than three consecutive calendar years.
- The Foundation does not accept incomplete applications or applications from organizations with overdue final reports.
- Grantees may not use the Foundation’s Directors’ names and logo on donor recognition plaques or similar items without the Foundation’s prior approval.
For more information, visit Atherton Family Foundation.
