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NHP is bridging the gap between the funders and high performing NHOʻs that are doing transformative work for native Hawaiian communities. We are based in Maui and work with Native Hawaiian organizations on Maui, Hawaii island, and Oahu.
About Us
History of Native Hawaiian Philanthropy
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.
NHP is the first native Hawaiian-led Philanthropy-Infrastructure Organization working directly with culturally-grounded NHOʻs that focus on preserving, promoting and perpetuation 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.
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 25 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, and by 2020, it 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.
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 25 Native Hawaiian Organizations while securing over $2 million in funding for capacity building.
Board of Directors
NHP Advisory Committee
Staff
President & CEO
Kuʻuleinani Maunupau
Native Hawaiian (She/Her)
Vice President
Keolamau Tengan
Native Hawaiian (She/Her)
Treasurer
Lily Donge
POC (She/Her)
Secretary
Monique Sonoquie
Native American/Chumash (She/Her)
" ʻA'ohe hana nui ke alu 'ia."
No task is too big when done together by all.
Native Hawaiian Philanthropy
Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO)
CEO
Native Hawaiian (She/Her)
Kuʻuleinani Maunupau
Maunupau is helping NHP to build capacity through grants, networking, fundraising, partnerships and on-going training in the philanthropic sector.
Director of Mobilizing Capital and Social Impact
Native Hawaiian (She/Her)
Pualani Enos
Enos will be working on securing capital to help NHP build capacity, fulfill our mission, and support our partner NHOʻs in Hawaii.
Program Manager
Native Hawaiian (She/Her)
Kuʻuleimakamae Shafee
Shafee has been volunteering as a consultant for the Hawaiian Storytelling program and with NHP during the Maui wildfires coordinating events and resources. She is providing support to NHP disaster recovery support, programs and capacity building.