Charles and Mitch Ota Foundation
Honolulu, HI · EIN 46-3255584. Reported 129 grants totalling $5,866,960 to 80 recipients across tax years 2020-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Charles and Mitch Ota Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $20,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $20,000 and $40,000; the smallest was $5,000 and the largest $727,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Community Foundation | Honolulu, HI | $2,605,932 | 15 | 6 | 2025 |
| University of Hawaii Foundation | Honolulu, HI | $312,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Maui High School Foundation | Kahului, HI | $231,750 | 8 | 6 | 2025 |
| Friends of Molokai High and Middle Schools Foundation | Kaunakakai, HI | $169,400 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Childrens Justice Center of Maui | Wailuku, HI | $150,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Grow Some Good | Wailuku, HI | $135,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui | Kahului, HI | $110,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Hp Baldwin High School Foundation | Kahului, HI | $110,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Maui United Way | Wailuku, HI | $104,500 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Hui Noeau | Makawao, HI | $86,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| University of Hawaii-Manoa | Honolulu, HI | $80,000 | 3 | 2 | 2025 |
| Kekaulike High School Foundation | Pukalani, HI | $70,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | $60,000 | 3 | 2 | 2025 |
| Oregon State University | Corvallis, OR | $60,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Paia Youth Council Inc | Paia, HI | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| University of Nevada - Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV | $60,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| King Kekaulike High School Ptsa | Makawao, HI | $57,750 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Lanai Academy of Performing Arts | Lanai City, HI | $55,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Hana Arts | Hana, HI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hana No Eau Foundation | Haiku, HI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Ma Ka Hana Ka 'ike | Hana, HI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Washington State University | Pullman, WA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Friends of Maui Waena Intermediate School | Kahului, HI | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Hawaii Youth Symphony Association | Honolulu, HI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Maui Huliau Foundation | Haiku, HI | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| University of Hawaii - Hilo | Hilo, HI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| University of Hawaii - Manoa - Jared Willkians | Honolulu, HI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii | Honolulu, HI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Arizona State University Foundation | Tempe, AZ | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| California State University- Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| California State University- Fullerton - Fbo Naomi Farnsworth | Fullerton, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| California State University- Fullerton - Naomi Farnsworth | Fullerton, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| College of Dupage Fbo Ivy Mcmahan | Glen Ellyn, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Grand Canyon University - Fbo Summer Derego | Phoenix, AZ | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Grand Canyon University - Shania Pinheiro | Phoenix, AZ | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grand Canyon University - Summer Derego | Phoenix, AZ | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hawaii Community College | Hilo, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Hawaii Community College Fbo Franczen Marcxialle Bueno | Hilo, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| King Kekaulike High School Foundation | Pukalani, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Loyola University Chicago - Fbo Taylor Macias | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Loyola University Chicago - Taylor Macias | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Oregon State University - Fbo Aiko Kanemitsu | Corvallis, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Oregon State University - Fbo Chevy Bush | Corvallis, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Oregon State University - Fbo Jacelyn Yun | Corvallis, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Oregon State University - Fbo Ty Otani | Corvallis, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Oregon State University - Ty Otani | Corvallis, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Seattle University | Seattle, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Seattle University - Fbo Luke Alwood | Seattle, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Seattle University - Luke Alwood | Seattle, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Hawaii - Hilo - Fbo Kahakuhailoa Poepoe | Hilo, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Hawaii - Hilo - Fbo Kira Kai Yamazaki-Gray | Hilo, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Hawaii - Hilo - Kahakuhailoa Poepoe | Hilo, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Hawaii - Hilo - Kira Kai Yamazaki-Gray | Hilo, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Hawaii - Manoa - Fbo Jared Willkians | Honolulu, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Hawaii - Manoa - Fbo Therese Nicholle Ignacio | Honolulu, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Hawaii - Manoa - Kenneth John Opena | Honolulu, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Hawaii - Manoa - Olapaholunape Duvauchelle | Honolulu, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Hawaii - Manoa - Therese Nicholle Ignacio | Honolulu, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Hawaii - Manoa - Wendellyn Enosara | Honolulu, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Hawaii - Manoa Fbo Kenneth John Opena | Honolulu, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Hawaii - Manoa Fbo Olapaholunape Duvauchelle | Honolulu, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Hawaii - Manoa Fbo Sage-Marie Yamashita | Honolulu, HI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Nevada - Las Vegas Fbo Zhymire Blare Acoba | Las Vegas, NV | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Portland | Portland, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| University of Portland - Fbo Ricky Nathaniel Villegas | Portland, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of Portland - Ricky Nathaniel Villegas | Portland, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Washington State University - Mykayla Janina Lorenzo | Pullman, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Washington State University Fbo Mykayla Janina Lorenzo | Pullman, WA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Western Oregon University - Ana-Malia Fernandez | Monmouth, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Western Oregon University - Fbo Ana-Malia Fernandez | Monmouth, OR | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| College of Dupage | Glen Ellyn, IL | $19,628 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Maui Arts & Cultural Center | Kahului, HI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Grand Canyon University Ayvin-Jay Vargas-Ixcotoyac | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hawaii Restaurant Association | Honolulu, HI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Montana State University Foundation | Bozeman, MT | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| San Diego State University - Sage-Marie Yamashita | San Diego, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Hawaii - Manoa - Sage-Marie Yamashita | Honolulu, HI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
18 of 80 (22%) received money in more than one year over the 6 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 57%, across 5 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Hawaii Community Foundation
CHARLES & MITCH OTA FOUNDATION FUND - Maui High School Foundation
AVID 2020 COLLEGE BOUND GRANT - King Kekaulike High School Ptsa
"GRANT PURPOSE: AVID 2020 COLLEGE BOUND GRANT - Maui United Way
ONGOING IMPLEMENTATION OF AVID PROGRAM - KING KEKAULIKE SCHOOL & LOKELANI INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL AND 10% ADMIN FEE - Friends of Maui Waena Intermediate School
ONGOING IMPLEMENTATION OF AVID PROGRAM - MAUI WAENA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL - Grand Canyon University
1ST SEMESTER SCHOLARSHIP GRANT FBO SHANIA PINHEIRO 2020-21 FALL OTA FDN
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 72 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 14 | $853,000 | $22,500 |
| 2021 | 8 | $723,000 | $36,500 |
| 2022 | 8 | $676,932 | $54,000 |
| 2023 | 29 | $1,479,400 | $20,000 |
| 2024 | 39 | $1,075,000 | $20,000 |
| 2025 | 31 | $1,059,628 | $30,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
86% of its giving went to organizations in Hawaii. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $20,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Hawaii.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Charles and Mitch Ota Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 6 returns (tax years 2020-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: Po Box 3170 Dept 715, Honolulu, HI, 96802. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 46-3255584 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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