MENU
History of Native Hawaiian Philanthropy
NHP is the only native Hawaiian-led Philanthropy-Infrastructure Organization working directly with culturally-grounded NHOʻs that focus on preserving, promoting and perpetuating traditional Hawaiian culture, values and wisdom. Our team has been developing an innovative, forward-thinking approach to self-sufficiency and stability for native Hawaiian organizations and businesses. Our methodology to Native Hawaiian philanthropy will offer an on-going support system that assures fiscal accountability. Planning for Seven Generations requires a unique indigenous approach to financial stability for nonprofits, Executive Directors and the staff serving our lāhui, our nation.
In June 2022, Kuʻuleinani Maunupau and Lohelani Furtado-Gaspar attended the Power in Solidarity conference, organized by Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) and Asian-American & Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP). The conference facilitated connections among Native Hawaiian leaders and organizations aimed at establishing a philanthropy model in Hawaii. Upon returning to Maui, discussions and research into philanthropy's impact on Native Hawaiian communities began, with efforts to network within Hawaii's philanthropy sector to understand the needs of community leaders.
After a year of due diligence and community feedback, it was determined that NHO challenges included a) lack of access to multi-year funding opportunities, b) Hawaii philanthropy limited small grants between $5,000 to $20,000 on average, c) fiscal instability for nonprofit and staff, and d) limited funds to develop a sustainable model. The Maui Mixer Board of Directors voted to change the name and goals of the nonprofit to focus on bridging the philanthropic sector to NHOʻs. In July 2023, Native Hawaiian Philanthropy (NHP) was created.
Left to right: Kuʻuleinani Maunupau, Lohelani Furtado-Gaspar, Makalika Naholowaʻa attend Power in Solidarity Conference in Seattle, Washington, July 2022.
In its inaugural year of 2024, Native Hawaiian Philanthropy (NHP) actively engaged in the philanthropic sector by attending ten conferences and presenting at two disaster recovery conferences. They formed partnerships with Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) and Asian-American & Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP), and organized the first Hawaii Funder's Tour. By the end of the year, NHP expanded its partnerships from 14 to 29 Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) and successfully secured over $2 million in funding and resources for capacity building and support for its partners.
Native Hawaiian Philanthropy
After much due diligence, Native Hawaiian Philanthropy reports a lack of Hawaiian-led and culturally grounded foundations in Hawaii that provide long-term funding opportunities. The team has been developing an innovative, forward-thinking approach to self-sufficiency and stability for native Hawaiian organizations and businesses. Our methodology to native Hawaiian philanthropy will offer an on-going support system that assures fiscal accountability. Planning for Seven Generations requires a unique indigenous approach to financial stability for nonprofits, Executive Directors and the staff serving our lāhui, our nation.
Summary Timeline:
2015: Native Hawaiian Philanthropy was formed as the nonprofit Maui Mixer, focused on fundraising for Maui youth involved in various sports.
2019: The organization shifted its mission to support farmers in Keanae, Maui.
2020: Expanded to assist Native Hawaiian communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic, adopting the name Na Mahiʻai o Keanae.
2022: Leaders participated in the Power in Solidarity conference in Seattle, connecting with others to explore philanthropy in Hawaii, followed by research and networking to understand community needs.
2022: Nonprofit designated as a Native Hawaiian Organization under the Department of Interior serving native Hawaiian communities.
2023: The Maui Mixer board renamed the organization to Native Hawaiian Philanthropy and broadened its mission to support Native Hawaiian Organizations statewide, leading to NHP's establishment.
2024: In its inaugural year, NHP CEO and staff attended ten philanthropy conferences, presented at two disaster recovery events, and expanded partnerships from 14 to 29 Native Hawaiian Organizations while securing over $2 million in funding for capacity building.
