Deadline: 1-Apr-25
The Atherton Family Foundation makes grants for programs that benefit the people of Hawai‘i.
Focus Areas
- The Foundation currently funds in the following areas:
- Arts
- Culture
- Humanities
- Community development
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Human services
- Spiritual development
- Youth development
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.
- The Foundation’s average program grant award is $19,000.
- The Foundation’s average capital grant award is $38,000.
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.
- 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.
- 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. A grantee serving as the fiscal sponsor for another organization may receive a second grant for its own program.
- 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.
Application Requirements
- The application consists of 4 sections. Information needed to complete your application includes the following:
- Program Overview:
- Provide general information and characteristics about the program including program title, duration, area of interest, program location(s), and ages and genders served.
- Sponsored organizations must identify the fiscal sponsor. Please note, your fiscal sponsor must be registered in the Grants Portal prior to submitting your application.
- Program Information:
- Organization: Describe the history and mission of the organization/program. What is the organization’s experience implementing this program and staff capabilities to conduct the proposed work? (Maximum 2,500 character count with spaces)
- Problem or Opportunity: Describe the problem or opportunity to be addressed by the program. Describe the population that will benefit from the program, including an estimate of size or numbers. For capital requests, describe the need for the asset(s) or capital improvement for the organization and the population that will benefit. (Maximum 3,000 character count with spaces)
- Program Activities: Describe the activities that will be completed to address the problem/opportunity. Explain why you chose this approach. Provide a program timeline. If this is an ongoing program, provide past results and achievements. For capital requests, provide the timeline and key activities for the capital project. (Maximum 4,500 character count with spaces)
- Networks and Partnerships: Explain how the organization partners or collaborates with other organizations to achieve its mission. If this program is a partnership, describe each partner’s role. (Maximum 2,000 character count with spaces)
- Capital Campaign: Describe how the capital campaign is being conducted and the experience of board members and staff with capital campaigns. Identify how much funding has been secured as of the date of the proposal. The Foundation is rarely a lead funder. (Maximum 3,000 character count with spaces)
- Construction: Describe the form of site control, including relevant terms of long-term leases or purchase agreements if not under ownership. Describe the status and timeline for design and engineering work and the status of required permits. Provide the source for cost estimates. Describe who will manage the design and construction phases and their experience in this work. (Maximum 2,500 character with spaces)
- Budget:
- Provide your total program budget, total amount requested through this application, and upload a copy of your program budget showing:
- Anticipated expenses (expenses for which the Atherton grant will be used and overall expenses)
- Anticipated income (amount, source, and whether secured, pending, or in-kind)
- For major capital requests, indicate how much of the program budget has been raised so far
- Supporting Documents & Certification Programs with fiscal sponsors must upload the following:
- Resolution by fiscal sponsor’s board of directors authorizing fiscal sponsorship
- Fiscal sponsor’s agreement form
- Program Overview:
For more information, visit Atherton Family Foundation.