LIHUE — One community organization powered by philanthropy is helping improve residents’ lives.
The Hawaii Community Foundation utilizes a network of supporters to benefit the community with scholarships for college students and grants funding for nonprofits.
“Kauai has a history of one of the highest percentages of giving per capita in the state,” said Micah Kane, HCF president and CEO. “We’re taking the opportunity to spend some time with people here in various areas, trying to understand what they’re seeing, what they’re hearing, and seeing if it’s in alignment with some of the work we’re doing with the nonprofit community.”
Last year HCF distributed nearly $250,000 in scholarships on Kauai, and about $2.2 million in grants directly to nonprofit organizations on the island.
Kauai also benefits from grant-making that happens through statewide organizations on the order of more than $30 million. Funds trickle down into Kauai organizations like clubs and charitable organizations, in addition to larger nonprofits.
“Kauai is a very important place for many reasons,” Kane said. “Its size allows you to really have an impact. You have a really solid group of leaders in your community that have tremendous human capacity. We’ve been able to leverage that, and we see a lot of potential going forward.”
There are more than 60 funds that are generated and managed by the foundation on Kauai alone. The organization strives to syndicate and leverage those funds to attract state, national and even international dollars.
Some national funds that have come into Hawaii were leveraged through applications of projects, such as renovation of the Menehune Fishpond, which was funded through the Community Restoration Fund. Youth conservation and natural resources programs have also been developed through partnerships with Hui Makaainana and Kumano I Ke Ala O Makaweli for community restoration.
One new program administered by HCF, called FLEX, helps 200 nonprofits statewide get $5 million in unrestricted funds they need to succeed.
In 2016, FLEX grants were awarded to 19 organizations on Kauai for a total of $336,500. Some grantees include Kauai Planning and Action Alliance, Hawaii Food Bank Kauai Branch, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Rescue Tube Foundation and Kauai Habitat for Humanity.
“It’s not just wealthy people that can participate in philanthropy. You don’t have to give a lot to make a difference in peoples’ lives,” Kane said. “If you look through the scholarship groups, people are giving annually $500 to $1,000, providing a child the opportunity to go to Kauai Community College, and that covers 25 percent of that tuition.”
In 2016, HCF awarded 75 Kauai students scholarships totaling $243,000. Almost $6 million in scholarships are available statewide.
“We have over 200 scholarship funds and over a quarter of a million dollars have gone specifically to Kauai kids,” said Lynelle Marble, director of communications for the foundation. “Students can go online once a year, fill out one application, and it matches them to any of those funds for opportunities to receive multiple scholarships.”
The foundation provides an app on its website that allows students to filter their search among the hundreds of scholarships according to their qualifications, interests and program criteria.
“If we can just fill that gap for students over the course of the year, the retention rate can go up,” Kane said, “and because of the smallness of this community, we think there’s a lot of opportunity to increase completion. We want the word to go out for other kids to apply.”
As a business graduate from the University of Hawaii, Kane worked in government affairs doing legislative and political work before being appointed director of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in 2002, a position he held for seven years.
“It was my first real stint in public service, and really framed my perspective of the impact we can have on other people,” Kane said. “When you’re in government and can have a large impact on people’s lives, it’s probably one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.”
Kane has been a trustee for The Kamehameha Schools statewide for eight years. His first exposure to the international platform occurred while working for Pacific Links US Holdings Corporation, initially based in Hawaii.
When he joined HCF in 2008, it paralleled his focus and link to community work. He served as president and chief operating officer since 2016, before becoming chief executive officer in July.
“I think it is exciting for the foundation to have Micah as the third CEO in its history,” Marble said. “So we’re excited to hear from them what’s important to this island, what are the greatest needs, what are the trends, what are they seeing.”
The foundation celebrated its centennial anniversary last year and hopes to continue benefiting Kauai in the future through its Kauai Leadership Council, led by Kathy Richardson, plus 65 staff members statewide.
“Our team spends a lot of time on island trying to understand how we can best utilize our resources,” Kane said. “We’re looking to see how we can position Hawaii to be the place to show the world that you can solve some of its most difficult challenges and do great things.”
