ANNUAL REPORT
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ABOUT US “2023 is coming to a close, and the entire Funder Hui team is humbled by the growth and development of our collective work. This report highlights our programmatic and educational initiatives over the past 12 months. We share it with the hopes that everyone can collectively look back and reflect on the movement we’re building for equity and impact in Hawai‘i.” Ashley Lukens, PhD
Co-Founder and Consulting Director of Funder Hui Executive Director, Frost Family Foundation
Funder Hui serves Hawai‘i’s philanthropic community, as its first association of funders and philanthropy-serving organization (PSO). We’re innovating the PSO in 4 key ways: 1. We think about the equity implications of all that we do. We are committed to acknowledging power and working to transform the relationships in our sector. 2. We’re redefining what it means to be a “funder,” honoring the critical role social capital plays in impact and changemaking. 3. We’ve removed the paywall for participation. In the spirit of inclusivity, membership is not a barrier to entry. Anyone who funds in Hawai‘i can begin participating in Funder Hui at any time. 4. We’re elevating the unique innovations our islands offer the world. Funder Hui’s origin story began in the wake of COVID-19, when over 100 foundation staff, donors, corporate foundation leads, and trustees convened to rapidly coordinate and accelerate a response. Funder Hui now hosts regular virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning calls and events and is also home to multiple sector-focused working groups, led by various philanthropic leaders in our community. We work with various partners to host our events and offer our programming.
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“In 2010, I worked with a group of funders to start a Hawai‘i-based chapter of Emerging Professionals in Philanthropy (EPIP). There, I met Melissa Jackson (Zilber Family Foundation) and together we created Next Gen Donor Hui to bring trustees together to have a better understanding of how to support organizations in Hawai‘i. Our lunches featured local non-profits and educational offerings from national organizations like 21/64. In addition to regular convenings, we offered a successful mentorship program. This really had not been done before, and the unique connections forged then would lay the groundwork for Funder Hui. Across these organizational iterations and pivots, our shared goal has always been to break from a more traditional approach to philanthropy to one that was more innovative and progressive. That’s where this all began, and it has been incredible to see this develop and change and how large our community has become, connecting and collaborating in ways we have not seen before.” Anne Swayne
President of the Keith and Judy Swayne Family Foundation Member of the Funder Hui Advisory Board
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ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Funder Hui is a part of a national network of Philanthropic-Serving Organizations (PSOs). Since launching in 2020, Funder Hui has established programming and an organizational structure that acts as a strong foundation for a newer organization.
ADVISORY BOARD We have an Advisory Board of experienced philanthropic leaders in Hawai‘i, who meet to advise on the direction and programming of the organization.
Dawn Mahi
Anne Swayne
Consuelo Foundation
Next Gen Donor Hui Swayne Family Fund
Kaipo Kukahiko Islander Institute
OUTREACH We have grown our public newsletter from 478 subscribers last year to 1,055 this year, a 220% increase, with an excellent open rate of nearly 60% per campaign, well above the national average for nonprofits. Our newsletters feature information about upcoming events as well as recaps on our past events, with recordings shared when they are available. We also share community news and events from Kūkulu and other key partners to provide additional outreach about our members’ work and programming.
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Suzanne Geary
Summer Keli’ipio
Healy Foundation
Lisa Maruyama
Hawai‘i Alliance of Nonprofit Organization (HANO)
‘A’ali’i Alliance
Abigail Perrin Nuestro Futuro Foundation
One Advisory Board member’s term starts in 2024
Additionally, we have a listserv for funders to share opportunities, resources, and ask questions to each other. This listserv now has 55 subscribers, and it allows funders to communicate with one another directly. We also continue to develop content and resources for funderhui.org including the very popular recordings of our Maui briefings and all other virtual event recordings.
Meli James
Hawai‘i Venture Capital Association (HVCA) and Mana Up
SUPPORT TEAM We have built a diverse team of 5 wahine to run all aspects of the organization, developing two new roles: Membership Manager and Programs Assistant. These two new team members support our Consulting Director, Program Manager, and Accountant to bolster our operations. 7
SECTOR-WIDE LEARNING CALLS
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We host monthly learning calls on Zoom on relevant topics to our Funder Hui community, with recordings shared on our website following the calls. These calls often stem from ideas from our key members and participants, and we offer the opportunity for these folks to facilitate the calls they propose, so we can elevate a diverse set of philanthropic leaders in everything we do.
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August 16 Governing the Future of Hawai‘i’s Economy | Breakfast & Coffee event (in person)
AUG
April 28 Making Hawai‘i a Trauma-Informed State (Studio Recording)
APR
JAN DEC
December 2, 2022 Site Visit to Kawailoa Youth & Family Wellness Center
October 31 Learning Circle On Redefining Community
MAR
March 23 Engaging Local Donors Toward Impact
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October 19 Learning Circle On MAZON’s Work In Federal And Local Advocacy
November 30 State of Investment (in-person)
NOV
MAY
May 18 MAZON’s Approach To AntiHunger Advocacy In Hawai‘i And Beyond
August 17 Talk Story And Gathering With Philanthropy Northwest (in person)
OCT
February 26 Pau Hana With Decolonizing Wealth (in-person)
May 11 Funder Hui Pau Hana Networking Event
JUN
FEB
January 24 Nonprofit Sector Talent Drain
June 8 ChatGPT & Philanthropy
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“Philanthropy and the non-profit sector have co-evolved over the past 100 years. Today, we stand on the brink of a new evolution in the way we work together. I helped found Funder Hui in 2020 during the Covid pandemic because the coordination and trust-building between grantors and grantees was critical to our success during that crisis. Today, as we struggle to respond to the multi-layered crisis on Maui, we must reflect on how much closer we’ve become as a community of changemakers, working hand-in-hand towards impact. For too long, non-profits have felt the heavy burden of philanthropic processes requiring full time staff to track onerous grant application and reporting requirements. Today, I sense a shift, towards trust, towards equity, and towards real, collaborative relationship building. This is theimpact we hoped for when we first came together to form Funder Hui.
OUR EVENTS
Our events are a key pillar to our work. Since 2020, we’ve hosted over 130 gatherings, including learning calls, events, and partnered meetings with sector and government leaders. Offerings included sessions on participatory grant making, unrestricted funding, DEI and trust-based philanthropy. In 2023, we had 1,801 attendees at our events. Our virtual event recordings in 2023 have a total of 962 views
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As I reflect on my tenure at HANO and embark on new chapters, I am leaving a nonprofit sector that is more meaningfully connected than ever before to the funding partners who financially fuel their work. My hope is that the collaborative muscle developed during these crises will be maintained going forward. We have a long way to go, but I have more faith than ever before that we’ll get there together.”
Lisa Maruyama
Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations Member of the Funder Hui Advisory Board
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August 11 Urgent updates post fire
August 25 Mālama Pono I Ka ‘Āina O Lele: Restoring Community-Led Stewardship of Native Lands for Regeneration and Healing
September 8 Ka Poli Aloha O Ka ‘Ohana: Embracing the Role of Women and Families in the Healing Journey
September 22 Kōkua Aku, Kōkua Mai: Intrastate Knowledge Sharing | Lessons Learned in California
MAUI BRIEFINGS Much like our inception during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Funder Hui sprung into action in August 2023 after the Lahaina Fires. Beginning just a few days after the fire, our Maui Fire Briefings were held weekly and featured a variety of topics from environmental toxins to the impact of school closures on children. Through these conversations, we heard about current struggles from kupa’āina on the ground in Lahaina every week and learned how to best serve the community based on the most current needs. Over the course of the four months of convenings, we covered the following topics:
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October 6 Ke Wehe Nei Ke Alaula: Forging Compassionate Educational Pathways for Displaced Teachers and Students
October 20 Ka ‘Ai Kamaha‘o O Ka ‘Āina: Rebuilding Farming and Food Systems to Regenerate Abundance
November 3 Wilia I Lei Hānai: Weaving Together Narratives of Immigrant ‘Ohana Resilience
August 18 Urgent updates post fire
September 1 ‘Āina-Based Practices for Fire Prevention
September 15 Kūkulu Hou I Ka Malu O Ka ‘Ulu: Restoring Hope through Community-Centered Housing & Redevelopment September 29 Hānai I Ka Punawai Ola: Nurturing Resilience and Wellbeing Through Transformative Healing Practices
October 13 Ho‘opakele I Ke Ola: Mitigating Environmental Toxins to Promote Protection, Healing, and Life for ‘Āina and People
October 27 ‘O Ke Ali‘i Ka ‘Āina: Moving Toward A More Balanced, Safe, and Sustainable Energy Future
November 17 Hō‘ale Ka Lepo Popolo: Building an ‘Āina-Centered and PeoplePowered Movement 15
“The inner circle of maka (meshes of the net that tie to center) are the kupa‘āina, families that live upon and have a close relationship with that ‘āina. The next circle of maka is the community—all those that have kuleana to that ‘āina as a place to live, work, and gain sustenance from, including business owners and landowners. Surrounding these inner circles there are many, many circles that widen the net: supporting Maui-based hui, hui from across Hawai’i, and national/international groups; as well as local, state, and federal government entities. What is important about the ‘upena is the hīpu’u (knots that tie and form the net meshes) and how it radiates out from the center. The strength of the net is found in these hīpu’u which represents the strength of our relationships. It is essential for ‘āina and communities to remain at the center, and for all outer maka to tie to this center through respectful and reciprocal relationships.
By orienting our Maui Fire briefing calls to the framework of an ‘upena, we contributed to a greater movement to transform perceptions—rather than viewing impacted communities as passive recipients of aid and as ancillary to aid efforts we honor their role as the very heart of the response efforts and as the navigators of the long voyage of healing that lies ahead. Restoring the rightful role of communities as the navigators of their own destinies amplifies community empowerment and strengthens mechanisms for ongoing resiliency and ‘ohana well-being.
The metaphor of an ‘upena ho’olei (throw net) provides a culturally appropriate framework for understanding how we collectively orient ourselves to one another and to the multi-faceted work of recovery. At the very center of the net is the ‘āina. In Hawaiian thought, ‘āina is not only land but also all that feeds and nourishes us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The relationship between kānaka maoli (Native Hawaiian) families and the ‘āina can best be understood through traditional proverbs. “‘O ke ali‘i ka ‘āina, ‘o ke kauwā ke kānaka,” meaning, the land is chief and mankind its servants. ‘Āina was viewed as the ultimate ruler that governed by kumu kānāwai, natural laws or edicts, and it was the responsibility of kānaka to remain in alignment with these natural laws to maintain pono (balance or natural order).
Respected kupuna Papa Kalikolehua Panui spoke of the kinship kānaka maoli share with the natural world as follows: “E mālama ke ‘āina e like me kou ‘ohana a na ka ‘āina e mālama iā ‘oe.” Care for the land as you would your own family and in turn the land will care for you. This kinship was deepened from generation to generation as kupa‘āina (natives of the land) continued to dwell in one place and pass down stories, knowledge, and cultural practices. ‘Āina was not seen as something outside of, or apart from, the ‘ohana. Each was understood as being reflections of the other, tied together by reciprocal relationships that put the land and its people on joint trajectories of well-being. “
Kauwila Hanchett
Executive Director, Hōlani Hāna Inc Co-Facilitator of our Maui Briefing Calls
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Funder Hui is a part of a national network of Philantropic Serving Organizations (PSOs) that seek to develop and evolve the field of philathropy. Over the past 2 years, Funder Hui staff and advisory board members have developed new and growing relationships with these sister organizations, helping to improve our work and elevate the wisdom of Hawai‘i to the national stage.
Issue As a member of the United Philanthropy Forum, our team at Funder Hui was selected to join their 2023 Racial Equity Cohort with participating PSOs around the nation. This consisted of several long-form Zoom gatherings to connect over what it means to center racial equity in the philanthropic sector and as a PSO.
United Philanthropy Forum Members
Practice
“Participating in the Racial Equity Learning and Action cohort was a valuable experience for me and reaffirmed how the Funder Hui’s value of centering equity is threaded into the very fabric of all of our work. It also illuminated the unique challenges that Hawai‘i faces within the broader conversation around racial equity and the acute opportunity we have to lead by example within the philanthropic sector around this crucially important topic.”
Abigail Perrin
Executive Director, Nuestro Futuro Foundation Member of our Advisory Board
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Identity
Type
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PARTNERSHIP EVENTS
We regularly partner with other organizations to collaborate on our mission and to maximize our impact and reach. Here are some partner events we have hosted with the UH Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, Hawai’i Community Foundation, and Hawai‘i Venture Capital Assocation, who are all regular partners of Funder Hui.
In 2023, Funder Hui nurtured a partnership with Philanthropy Northwest (PNW), as both organizations serve philanthropic efforts and are rooted in principles of equity. Philanthropy Northwest is the network for philanthropists of all types working in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming plus Hawai‘i. Philanthropy Northwest is passionate about coming together to learn, spur action, and support one another in our personal, professional and organizational growth. Their mission is to promote and facilitate philanthropic and cross-sector collaboration to build resilient, equitable and inclusive communities in the Pacific Northwest. On August 17, 2023, Funder Hui hosted a Pau Hana with Lyn Hunter of PNW. During this event, our network was able to hear from Lyn firsthand about PNW’s impact in the region and ways to support Funder Hui members as they support the communities they serve.
May 11 Funder Hui Pau Hana
April 28 Making Hawai‘i a Trauma-Informed State (Studio Recording)
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August 16 Legislating the Future of Our Economy: A 2023 Legislative Roundup (in-person)
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WORKING GROUPS Our three working groups meet regularly outside of our events. They provide an important structure of member participation within Funder Hui that have blossomed into a crucial platform of collaboration. These working groups are not only organized and facilitated by Funder Hui members, providing a platform for leadership and impact for leading Foundations; working groups also provide a place for community groups, non-profits, and community experts to work together around shared priority areas. Our active working groups are highlighted on the next page.
HOUSING WORKING GROUP
FOOD & FARMERS WORKING GROUP
EDUCATION WORKING GROUP 22
The Housing Working Group meets monthly to go over the complex issues surrounding housing – from affordable housing to racial justice, over a dozen members of this working group learn from guest speakers about current and potential solutions to housing issues, and what funders can do to tackle this critical issue in Hawai‘i. Meetings are offered on Zoom, with some in-person and hybrid meetings as well.
The Food & Farmers Working Group hosts monthly meetings, often with a guest speaker in the field of agriculture or food systems, along with those who can speak on government funding and other relevant issues. Over 40 funders are members of this working group, and each meeting has between 20-40 folks in attendance. The activities of this working group have led to increased collaboration, learning, and funding in the area of food and farming in Hawai‘i. Most of these meetings are on Zoom, with occasional meetings in person.
The Education Working Group gathers almost every month in-person with a hybrid option. This is our fastest growing working group, with speakers ranging from public school representatives, education funders, innovative education voices, and more. This robust and active working group keeps Hawai‘i funders and those in the education sector connected and plugged into the latest and greatest for Hawai‘i students and educators. 23
Over six meetings in 2023, the Funder Hui Working Group on Education sought to broaden the horizons of funders and philanthropists through presentations by a wide variety of thought leaders from Hawai‘i’s public, private and charter school communities. Major themes and concepts presented to funders and philanthropists included uses of artificial intelligence in the classroom, future fundable education trends and “cutting edges” (as in deeper learning, place-based, culture-based and project-based learning), the role of education in the development of sustainable agriculture and “ag-tech,” regional community development through creative place-based funds, the importance of civics education and pipelines to ‘Ōiwi Leadership, the growth of so-called community schools, whole child, whole life approaches to building resilient learners, the impact on education in West Maui after the tragic wildfires and much, much more.
Josh Reppun,
Host of the What School Could Be Podcast Facilitator of the Education Working Group
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CURRENT MEMBERS
TESTIMONIALS
Since 2020, Funder Hui has grown our community to include the following contributors:
Alaska Airlines American Savings Bank Arcadia Atherton Family Foundation Aurora Foundation Bank of Hawai‘i Consuelo Foundation Frost Family Foundation Harold K.L. Castle Foundation Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Hau’oli Mau Loa Foundation Hawai‘i Community Foundation Hawai‘i Dental Service Hawai‘i Employers Council Hawai‘i Leadership Forum Hawai‘i Medical Service Association
Hawai‘i Pacific University Hawai‘i People’s Fund Hawai‘i Venture Capital Association Hawaiian Electric Healy Foundation HEI Charitable Foundation Kamehameha Schools Keith and Judy Swayne Foundation Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation Makahakama Foundation Padosi Foundation Philanthropy Northwest Stupski Foundation Swayne Family Fund What School Could Be Zilber Family Foundation
In the spirit of inclusivity, membership is not a barrier to entry. Anyone who funds in Hawai‘i can begin participating in Funder Hui at any time. While dues are not necessary to participate, we do need sustaining members in order to continue our programming. If you are interested in learning more about how foundations, high net worth individuals and others assess their size and relative contribution, please connect with us. No donation is too small.
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The diversity of content and opportunities for funders to connect are incredibly valuable to the philanthropic sector and the community at large.
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Elise von Dohlen Hawai‘i Community Foundation
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Funder Hui models accountability to community in ways that I find continually inspiring. They are responsive to the emerging needs of the moment—whether responding to COVID or creating space to envision abundant futures for West Maui. They are attentive to the opportunities we have to learn as a whole community and lifting up all forms of expertise.
Ben Trevino
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Hawai‘i Leadership Forum
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Funder Hui has gone from a startup organization to helping to catalyze change in our communities. The quality of learning calls and programming continues to increase as we strive to be an authentic partner in the philanthropic sector.
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Summer Keli’ipio ‘A’ali‘i Alliance
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LOOKING FORWARD
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There are so many ways you can participate in 2024 from joining a working group to joining our list-serve, where you can connect directly with one another. We also encourage all of our members and supporters to participate in our learning calls and even to organize a learning call with us on a topic that is important to you.
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