Faces of
Philanthropy Summer 2006
Quarterly News from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation
Learning by Giving OUR MISSION We help people make a difference by inspiring the spirit of giving and by investing in people and solutions to benefit every island community.
The Group 70 Foundation was created in 2002 by individuals of Group 70 International who wanted to expand their commitment to building better communities in Hawai‘i beyond their firm’s professional services. Through this foundation, employees are offered a unique opportunity to create a legacy of giving together for the greater good within a corporate setting. Taking the lead in transforming their vision into reality were Chairman and CEO Francis Oda, Chief Community Planner George Atta and Architect Dennis Kamae. The foundation is now headed by Chair Cami Kloster, Vice Chair Kim Evans, Treasurer Scott Tangonan, Secretary Theresa Ae‘a and Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) Liaison Jim Nishimoto, President of Group 70 International. While there are many ways for the Group 70 Foundation to express the values of giving, the primary vehicle is through a donor advised fund at HCF. “As employees, it was important for us to know that we could do something immediately,” said Kim Evans, planner and vicechair of the Group 70 Foundation. “Through this fund, we were able to create a legacy in-house that’s a testament to giving. Our staff members who choose to contribute can do so not only by donating to the fund, but they also have the opportunity to lead and participate in the grantmaking process.” Employee donors to the fund work with HCF every year to develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) that reflects their particular interests in creating a better living environment in Hawai‘i and building sustainability in our communities. HCF issues the RFP and reviews proposals to
ensure they fit the criteria of the fund. Based on this process and recommendations by Group 70 employee donors, grants are made in their five areas of interest: culture, education, design, housing and environment. “The benefits of giving back through the fund are enormous,” said Evans. “Participating in the grants selection process helps us better understand the needs of the community. It also allows us to set an example amongst our industry colleagues and create innovative movements.” Grants distributed this year include one to Kealakehe High School in Kailua-Kona for students to create models of future community development, another to Honolulu Habitat for Humanity to provide environmentally friendly housing solutions for O‘ahu’s families in need and one to the Waik-ık-ı Health Center to help its homeless clients transition out of homelessness. The grantmaking process culminates every year with a joint celebration between that year’s recipients and the firm’s staff. “It’s truly a remarkable time for our employees and grantees,” said Evans. “Grantees are able to expand their network of resources by meeting each other and we learn more about our community and have the wonderful opportunity to share in the spirit of giving.” For more information about the Group 70 Foundation, visit www. group70foundation.org If you are interested in establishing a Corporate Donor Advised Fund, contact Kalei Stern at kstern@hcf-hawaii.org or at 808-566-5505. A Group 70 International Foundation beneficiary: Honolulu Habitat for Humanity
For more information on connecting with a cause that you care about, please contact HCF’s Donor Services department at (808) 566-5560 (toll-free at 1-888-731-3863) or email donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org
www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org
leading the mission
Upon arrival, guests were greeted by four talented musicians from the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony.
Each year, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation holds a recognition event to thank its many donors, current and former Board of Governors, advisory board members and Foundation friends for the countless ways in which they give back to the community. This year, nearly 300 people turned out for the event, which was held on June 7 at the Hawai‘i State Art Museum in Downtown Honolulu.
a message from our board chairman and president
It was a special evening because we celebrated the Foundation’s 90th anniversary of service in Hawai‘i. In the last ten years alone, the Foundation has been involved with such diverse causes and initiatives as helping to revitalize Chinatown by providing grants to the Arts and Marks Garage; assisting families in need with construction materials to build and repair their homes by supporting the Nanakuli Housing Corporation with an organizational capacity building grant; helping to secure the long-term health of Hawai‘i’s land and marine resources through our Natural Resources Conservation Program; and partnering with several funders to improve the quality of life for residents in low-income areas through the Agenda for Building Community (ABC) Fund. Our staff had the wonderful opportunity to get to know many of the guests who came to the event that night, and to thank them for giving back to the many causes that matter to them. We’ve put together a collection of pictures below from that night for you to enjoy. As always, your comments and suggestions are appreciated. Contact Kelvin at (808) 537-6333 or via email at kelvin@hcf-hawaii.org Sincerely, Robert R. Bean, Chairman of the Board Kelvin H. Taketa, President & CEO
HCF’s Director of Donor Services Kalei Stern and donor Henry Koszewski.
HCF Vice President of Donor Services Mariko Miho and donor Chia Ling-Chang.
HCF Board Governor Barry Taniguchi and Advisory Committee Member Momi Cazimero.
Donors Larry and Joyce Stupski. Legacy Society members Leonard and Rebecca Kamp. Retiring HCF Board of Governors Sylvia Yuen and Bill Mills (3rd from left) are recognized for their service by Board Chair Bob Bean and President & CEO Kelvin Taketa (far right). Also retiring as Governor this year is Donna Tanoue (not pictured).
The end of the evening was jazzed up by the Maunalani Swingers, featuring Janice Taketa.
Guests enjoy the art museum’s atmosphere, the company and the food.
Facesof
Philanthropy
from island to island Marcia Shimokawa joins the HCF Kaua‘i team In May, Marcia Shimokawa joined Foundation Officer Deborah Rice in the Kaua‘i office as the new senior foundation assistant. Marcia brings her extensive administrative and organizational skills, as well as a wealth of aloha, to the position. Born and raised in Hilo, Marcia graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at M-anoa and lives in L-ıhu‘e with her husband, Wesley, and daughter, Casey. We welcome Marcia and all that she brings to the Foundation.
Kaua‘i Office staff: Kaua‘i Leadership Council:
Deborah Rice, Foundation Officer drice@hcf-hawaii.org Marcia Shimokawa, Sr. Foundation Assistant mshimokawa@hcf-hawaii.org
Annie Sinclair Knudsen Fund
Charlie King, Chair Nancy Budd Roberta Wallace Cable Nancy Goodale Warren Haruki Lynn P. McCrory Myles S. Shibata Glen Takenouchi Millie Wellington Jan C. Rudinoff, Emeritus Member
Aloha for Animals Thanks to a grant from the Annie Sinclair Knudsen Fund, the island of Kaua‘i now has the Aloha for Animals Program. Instead of the Humane Society van in your driveway automatically signaling bad news or a complaint about a pet, Kaua‘i Humane Society staff are now knocking on people’s doors and offering pet owners a gift and some help through this new program. The offer of gifts signifies a new relationship between pet owners and the shelter. “Word gets around fast,” said Ele Sato, Kaua‘i Humane Society veterinary technician. “By the end of the morning, everyone is coming out of their house to talk story and get a free gift.” Every Saturday morning, the Kaua‘i Humane Society van visits Kaua‘i neighborhoods, and drive away with tangible results. So far, over twenty pets have been spayed or neutered because of the program, and more folks are coming to the shelter for information or to attend classes. Aloha for Animals is modeled after a national outreach program called Training Wheels, which takes the local animal shelter to the people
instead of waiting for the people to come to the shelter. “Our goal is to be more proactive to improve the welfare of Kaua‘i’s pets and help prevent problems before a pet is surrendered to the Society,” said Kaua‘i Humane Society Executive Director Dr. Becky Rhoades. “We want folks to think of us as a resource to help their pet instead of only as the last resort.” Dr. Rhoades will be joining the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s PONO Leadership Program this fall (for more on PONO, see page 4). Aloha for Animals is one of 28 projects and programs funded by the Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund in 2005. This year’s grantees will be announced on September 12. The Annie Sinclair Knudsen Fund was created in 1987 by Ruth Hanner, in honor of her grandmother. Today, the fund continues to fulfill Ms. Hanner’s charitable vision to support the island of Kaua‘i. For more information, please contact Deborah Rice, Foundation Officer, Kaua’i at (808) 245-4585. To learn more about Aloha for Animals, visit the Kaua‘i Humane Society’s Web site: www.kauaihumane.org
PONO’s 2006 graduating class:
caring for our community grants and special initiatives at work
Promoting Outstanding Nonprofit Organizations (PONO) Leadership Program Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s PONO leadership program is being highlighted nationally as leading a new frontier in the nonprofit sector—supporting nonprofit organizational effectiveness. The PONO program provides nonprofit leaders with the management tools and support needed to help their organizations carry out their missions effectively. A case study of PONO is included in a recently released issue of “Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO),” a national publication targeted at leaders and staff of grantmaking organizations and giving programs in the U.S. and others who are thinking about how best to support the nonprofit sector’s most precious asset—its people. It looks at how leadership development can be considered, designed and structured to produce beneficial outcomes for organizations and the clients and causes that they serve. “From the start, our main interest was in strengthening nonprofits and helping them become more successful at delivering on their mission, and we knew that supporting the executive director was going to be the key,” said Christine van Bergeijk, HCF’s vice president for programs. PONO brings nonprofit executives together for a year-long program of collective learning. The program, with training administered by La Piana Associates, a leading national
Father Chris Cartwright, S.J.,
Director, Catholic Campus Ministries
Janet Coburn, PONO Leadership Program (left to right): Instructor David La Piana; PONO graduate Mark Jeffers of Storybook Theatre on Kaua‘i; HCF’s Vice President of Programs Christine van Bergeijk and Sr. Program Officer Pi’ikea Miller
nonprofit consulting firm based in California, requires participants to design and implement capacity-building projects that focus on a critical issue or entrepreneurial opportunity facing their organizations. Since its launch in 2003, PONO has produced four graduating classes of local nonprofit leaders. The average class size is 15, and it is open to all nonprofits in Hawai‘i. Last year, the Steve and Jean Case Foundation became a co-sponsor of the program and committed to three years of funding support. “PONO has helped to make me a better leader,” said 2004 PONO participant and Moloka‘i Community Services Council Executive Director Karen Holt. “Through the ‘clinics’ in each session, I developed a greater appreciation for the marketing done by the other organizations in my cohort.” Holt also commented that she was inspired to work on developing a better community relations plan for her organization, and she has used some of her PONO grant to begin the process. In addition, she has become more objective, pragmatic and pro-active as a personnel supervisor. “This area has been a huge challenge for me, and PONO came along during a very trying period in our organization’s development. It was a rare privilege to listen to nonprofit experts describe my problems and suggest solutions to them. And it was valuable to hear the stories of my peers. I learned a lot from them—especially that I’m not alone out there!”
For more information about this and other community building initiatives in which HCF is involved, please contact our Programs Department at (808) 537-6333.
Managing Director, Kahilu Theatre Foundation
Deann Canuteson, President, Full Life
Dennis Brown,
President & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu
Lisa Kimsey,
Executive Director, The Movement Center
Karen A. Fischer,
President & CEO, Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Cynthia Winans Burns,
Head of School, Montessori School of Maui, Inc.
Mark Jeffers,
Executive Director, Storybook Theatre of Hawai‘i
Matthews Hamabata,
Executive Director, The Kohala Center, Inc.
Georgie Kennedy,
Executive Director, Hawai‘i Island HIV/AIDS Foundation
Barbara Rehmer,
Executive Director, YWCA of Kaua‘i
Copies of current and past issues of Faces of Philanthropy are available at www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org We encourage your comments and questions. Please contact our Communications Officer Kim Vierra at kvierra@hcf-hawaii.org or at (808) 566-5527.
1164 Bishop Street, Suite 800 Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813 Phone: 808-537-6333 Toll-free: 1-888-731-3863