FundersHawaii

Kosasa Foundation

Honolulu, HI · EIN 99-0313279. Reported 371 grants totalling $30.6M to 219 organizations across tax years 2020-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$30,000median grant
$30.6Mgranted, 2020-2024
219organizations funded
35%of grantees funded again the next year
$182.5Massets, latest filing

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. Kosasa 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.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $30,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $15,000 and $100,000; the smallest was $3,000 and the largest $2,040,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

$1,000 - $5,000
1 grant
$5,000 - $10,000
26 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
109 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
70 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
72 grants
$100,000 and Up
93 grants

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Kuakini Medical CenterHonolulu, HI$2,675,000542023
Hawaii Community Foundation - Kosasa Family FundHonolulu, HI$2,040,000112020
Mid-Pacific InstituteHonolulu, HI$1,175,000432022
Nuuanu Congregational ChurchHonolulu, HI$1,015,000432022
Dynamic Community SolutionsWaianae, HI$1,000,000112022
Family Life CenterKahului, HI$1,000,000112023
Hale Makua Health ServicesKahului, HI$1,000,000112023
Hawaiian Community AssetsHonolulu, HI$1,000,000222024
YMCA of HonoluluHonolulu, HI$775,000542023
Hawaii Community FoundationHonolulu, HI$700,000222024
Blood Bank of HawaiiHonolulu, HI$600,000222023
University of Hawaii FoundationHonolulu, HI$550,000332023
Japanese American National MuseumLos Angeles, CA$500,000222021
KupuHonolulu, HI$460,000442024
PBS HawaiiHonolulu, HI$400,000442023
Koloa Early SchoolKoloa, HI$350,000112022
Imua Family ServicesKahului, HI$300,000332023
Realize ImpactBainbridge Island, WA$300,000112022
Hawaii Symphony OrchestraHonolulu, HI$296,347432022
Hoola Na PuaHonolulu, HI$275,000332024
St Andrews PrioryHonolulu, HI$275,000222021
Hawaiian Islands Land TrustHonolulu, HI$270,000222024
Chaminade University of HonoluluHonolulu, HI$250,000332023
Hawaiian Community LendingWaimanalo, HI$250,000112023
Hawaiian Humane SocietyHonolulu, HI$250,000112020
Le Jardin AcademyKailua, HI$250,000112023
Saint Louis SchoolHonolulu, HI$250,000112023
Social Finance IncBoston, MN$250,000112024
Uh Foundation (culinary Institute of the Pacific)Honolulu, HI$250,000112020
Mental Health America of HawaiiHonolulu, HI$240,000442023
Adult Friends for YouthHonolulu, HI$200,000222024
Boys & Girls Club of MauiKahului, HI$200,000222024
Feed the Hunger FundHonolulu, HI$200,000112024
Hawaii Cord Blood BankHonolulu, HI$200,000222022
Institute for Native Pacific Education and CultureKapolei, HI$200,000112024
Kokua Kalihi ValleyHonolulu, HI$200,000222024
Malama MaunaluaHonolulu, HI$200,000222024
Maui Hui MalamaWailuku, HI$200,000222024
The Mediation Center of the Pacific IncHonolulu, HI$200,000442024
The Nature ConservancyHonolulu, HI$188,000222024
Purple Maia FoundationAiea, HI$182,821222024
Epic Ohana IncHonolulu, HI$174,786222024
Partners in Development FoundationHonolulu, HI$162,995222024
Goodwill Industries of Hawaii IncHonolulu, HI$150,000222022
Island SchoolLihue, HI$150,000332022
Rehab FoundationHonolulu, HI$150,000222022
Sacred Hearts AcademyHonolulu, HI$150,000332022
Teach for AmericaHonolulu, HI$150,000332024
The Kohala CenterWaimea, HI$150,000222024
Kukulu Kumuana O AnaholaAnahola, HI$140,175112023
Hawaii FoodbankHonolulu, HI$130,000222022
808 CleanupsHonolulu, HI$125,000332024
Bishop MuseumHonolulu, HI$125,000222024
Friends of the FutureKamuela, HI$110,000442024
Hawaii Youth Symphony AssociationHonolulu, HI$105,000332024
Special Olympics Hawaii IncHonolulu, HI$105,000222021
The Trust for Public LandsHonolulu, HI$105,000442024
Aina MomonaKaunakakai, HI$100,000112023
Aloha Medical MissionHonolulu, HI$100,000112022
Hawaii Childrens Action NetworkHonolulu, HI$100,000112023
Hawaii Theatre CenterHonolulu, HI$100,000332024
Hui Malama I Ke Ala UliliPaauilo, HI$100,000112023
HuimauPaauilo, HI$100,000112024
Kapiolani Health FoundationHonolulu, HI$100,000112023
Ma'o Organic FarmsWaianae, HI$100,000112021
Maryknoll SchoolHonolulu, HI$100,000112022
PatchHonolulu, HI$100,000112022
Polynesian Voyaging SocietyHonolulu, HI$100,000112023
Pu'a FoundationHonolulu, HI$100,000112024
Re-Use Hawai'iHonolulu, HI$100,000112024
Rehab Hospital FoundationHonolulu, HI$100,000112021
Residential Youth Services and EmpowermentKailua, HI$100,000112024
Waikiki Business Improvement District AssociationHonolulu, HI$100,000112021
WcrcWaianae, HI$100,000112021
Wai'anae Community Redevelopment CorpWaianae, HI$99,857112024
Waianae Community Redevelopment CorpWaianae, HI$99,857112022
Hawaii Public RadioHonolulu, HI$95,000442024
Kristi Yamaguchi Always Dream FoundationHonolulu, HI$90,000222024
Coral Reef AllianceSan Francisco, CA$85,000222024
Re-Use HawaiiHonolulu, HI$85,000332022
Aloha HarvestHonolulu, HI$80,000442024
Hui Malama O Ke Kai FoundationWaimanalo, HI$80,000442024
Center for Tomorrow's LeadersHonolulu, HI$75,000112023
Friends of Waipahu High SchoolWaipahu, HI$75,000322022
Hawaii FoodbasketHilo, HI$75,000112022
Honolulu Museum of ArtHonolulu, HI$75,000222024
Kealakai Center for Pacific StringsKailua, HI$75,000222022
Lawakua Charitable FundHonolulu, HI$75,000332022
Maui FoodbankWailuku, HI$75,000112022
Oahu SPCAWahiawa, HI$75,000222021
The Food Basket IncHilo, HI$75,000112024
Dreamhouse IncKapolei, HI$73,000332023
Sustainable CoastlinesHonolulu, HI$72,500112023
Sustainable Coastlines Hawai'iHonolulu, HI$72,500112024
Hana Arts IncHana, HI$70,000442024
Helping Hands HawaiiHonolulu, HI$70,000332022
Palama SettlementHonolulu, HI$70,000542023
Habilitat IncKaneohe, HI$65,000222023
Hoa Aina O MakahaWaianae, HI$65,000332024
Chamber Music HawaiiHonolulu, HI$60,000442024
Girl Scouts of HawaiiHonolulu, HI$60,000222021
Honolulu Civil Beat IncHonolulu, HI$60,000442024
The Salvation ArmyHonolulu, HI$60,000332022
Malama Pupukea-WaimeaHaleiwa, HI$56,700112023
Hawaii International Film FestivalHonolulu, HI$55,000332022
Hui O Ko'olaupokoKailua, HI$55,000112024
Protect & Preserve Hawaii IncHonolulu, HI$55,000222023
The Waipa FoundationHanalei, HI$55,000112023
808CLEANUPSHonolulu, HI$50,000112020
Big Island Resource Conservation and Development CouncilHilo, HI$50,000112024
Friends of Amy Bh Greenwell Ethnobotanical GardenCaptain Cook, HI$50,000112024
Goodwill HawaiiHonolulu, HI$50,000112020
Hale Kipa IncEwa Beach, HI$50,000112023
Hawai'i FoodbankHonolulu, HI$50,000112024
Hawaii Pacific HealthHonolulu, HI$50,000112021
Hawaii Pacific Health - Kapiolani HealthHonolulu, HI$50,000112020
Hawaii Pacific UniversityHonolulu, HI$50,000112022
Hawaii Wildlife CenterKapaau, HI$50,000112023
Hawaii Youth SymphonyHonolulu, HI$50,000112020
Ho'ola Na PuaHono, HI$50,000112020
Hui Aloha KiholoKamuela, HI$50,000112023
Hui Maka'ainana O MakanaHanalei, HI$50,000112023
Imua Family Services - MauiKahului, HI$50,000112020
Kahilu Theatre FoundationKamuela, HI$50,000222022
Kamp HawaiiKapolei, HI$50,000112021
Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike Building ProgramHana, HI$50,000112024
Manoa Heritage CenterHonolulu, HI$50,000222021
Mokuaikaua ChurchKailuakona, HI$50,000112022
Project Vision HawaiiHonolulu, HI$50,000112024
Public Schools of Hawaii FoundationHonolulu, HI$50,000112023
Visitor Aloha Society of HawaiiHonolulu, HI$50,000332022
Waipahu High SchoolWaipahu, HI$50,000112020
Malama Learning CenterHonolulu, HI$49,875112023
Hawaii Wildlife FundKealakekua, HI$49,516112023
National Tropical Botanical GardenKalaheo, HI$49,388112024
Impact Change Hawai'iHonolulu, HI$47,967112024
Alliance for Drama EducationHonolulu, HI$47,000222021
Ma Ka Hana Ka IkeHana, HI$45,084112023
Kalaeloa Heritage & Legacy FoundationKapolei, HI$45,000112024
Seeqs FoundationHonolulu, HI$45,000112024
Kona Historical SocietyCaptain Cook, HI$41,956112024
Hawai'i Environmental RestorationPahoa, HI$40,000222024
Hui No'eau Visual Arts CenterMakawao, HI$40,000222024
Maui Arts & Cultural CenterKahului, HI$40,000332024
Nisei Veterans Legacy Center IncHololulu, HI$40,000222022
Ho'okua'ainaKailua, HI$37,500112024
HookuaainaKailua, HI$37,500112023
Hawai'i Bicycling LeagueHonolulu, HI$35,000112024
Kumu Kahua TheatreHonolulu, HI$35,000332023
Lighthouse ProjectHonolulu, HI$35,000112024
MalaaiKamuela, HI$31,000222022
Assistance Dogs of HawaiiMakawao, HI$30,000332022
Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii IncHonolulu, HI$30,000222021
Hawai'i Symphony OrchestraHonolulu, HI$30,000112024
Helping Hands Hawai'iHonolulu, HI$30,000112024
Humanity HaleKailua Kona, HI$30,000112023
Aloha International Piano FestivalKailua, HI$25,000442024
Always Dream FoundationDanville, CA$25,000112020
Chaminade UniversityHonolulu, HI$25,000112020
Downtown Art CenterHonolulu, HI$25,000112024
Hawai'i Cord Blood BankHonolulu, HI$25,000112024
Hawai'i Theatre CenterHonolulu, HI$25,000112024
Hawaii Food BankHonolulu, HI$25,000112020
Hawaii LiteracyHonolulu, HI$25,000112022
Kahilu Theatre - KamuelaKamuela, HI$25,000112020
Kauai Planning and Action AllianceLihue, HI$25,000112023
Make a Wish HawaiiHonolulu, HI$25,000112020
Make-a-Wish Foundation of Hawaii IncHonolulu, HI$25,000222022
Pacific and Asian Affairs CouncilHonolulu, HI$25,000222022
Surfrider Spirit SessionsKailua, HI$25,000112024
Trees for Honolulu's FutureHonolulu, HI$25,000112022
American Diabetes AssociationHonolulu, HI$20,000112022
Girl Scouts of Hawai'iHonolulu, HI$20,000112024
Hawai'i Book and Music FestivalKaneohe, HI$20,000112024
Hawai'i International Film FestivalHonolulu, HI$20,000112024
Hawai'i Opera TheatreHonolulu, HI$20,000112024
Hawaii Environmental RestorationPahoa, HI$20,000112022
Hawaii Land TrustHonolulu, HI$20,000112021
Hawaii Opera TheaterHonolulu, HI$20,000112023
Japan America Society of HawaiiHonolulu, HI$20,000442024
Nisei Veterans LegacyHonolulu, HI$20,000112020
Nisei Veterans Memorial CenterKahului, HI$20,000112021
North Kohala Community Resource CenterHawi, HI$20,000222022
Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai'iHonolulu, HI$20,000112024
Waikiki HealthHonolulu, HI$20,000222022
Institute for Climate and PeaceHonolulu, HI$17,000112024
Ebb & Flow ArtsKula, HI$16,000332022
Shriners Hospital for Children - HonoluluHonolulu, HI$16,000112021
Daughters of HawaiiHonolulu, HI$15,000112020
Hawaii Forest InstituteOokala, HI$15,000112021
Hawaii Opera TheatreHonolulu, HI$15,000112021
Island Pacific Academy (ipa)Kapolei, HI$15,000112020
Island Pacific Academy IncKapolei, HI$15,000112021
Make-a-Wish Foundation of Hawai'i IncHonolulu, HI$15,000112024
Manoa Valley TheatreHonolulu, HI$15,000222021
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council IncKahului, HI$15,000112023
Maui Preparatory AcademyLahaina, HI$15,000112024
Ohana KomputerHonolulu, HI$15,000112021
Read to Me InternationalHonolulu, HI$15,000112020
The Legal ClinicHonolulu, HI$15,000112024
American Red CrossHonolulu, HI$10,000112022
Boys to Men Mentoring NetworkKamuela, HI$10,000112024
Compassion and ChoicesPortland, OR$10,000112021
Haku Baldwin CenterMakawao, HI$10,000112024
Hawai'i Performing Arts Company LtdHonolulu, HI$10,000112024
Hawaii Performing Arts Company LtdHonolulu, HI$10,000112022
Kulia Education FoundationHonolulu, HI$10,000112024
North Kohala Community Resource CntrHawi, HI$10,000112021
Waikiki Health CenterHonolulu, HI$10,000112020
Micronesians Unite-Big IslandHilo, HI$7,500112023
Storybook Theatre of HawaiiHanapepe, HI$6,000112022
Waikiki SchoolHonolulu, HI$5,500112024
Community Empowerment ResourcesHonolulu, HI$5,000112021
Hawai'i Childrens Action NetworkHonolulu, HI$5,000112021
March of DimesKapolei, HI$5,000112024
Ohana ArtsMililani, HI$5,000112020
Pacific & Asian Affairs CouncilHonolulu, HI$5,000112020
Secoh Special Education Center of HawaiiKapolei, HI$5,000112020
Japan American Society of Hawai'iHonolulu, HI$3,000112024

86 of 219 (39%) received money in more than one year over the 5 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 35%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

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.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 256 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Arts & Culture
75 grants
Environment
28 grants
Education
26 grants
Health Care
22 grants
Youth Development
17 grants
Human Services
16 grants
Community Improvement
12 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202071$5,501,000$21,000
202186$6,688,000$22,500
202283$6,121,204$40,000
202347$7,131,850$75,000
202484$5,190,270$45,000

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.

Already committed for future years

Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Kosasa Foundation has 8 of them, worth $2,700,000. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.

OrganizationLocationApproved
Kuakini Medical CenterHonolulu, HI$1,750,000
Uh Foundation (culinary Institute of the Pacific)Honolulu, HI$300,000
YMCA of HonoluluHonolulu, HI$300,000
Mid-Pacific InstituteHonolulu, HI$120,000
Island SchoolLihue, HI$100,000
Ho'ola Na PuaHono, HI$75,000
Goodwill HawaiiHonolulu, HI$50,000
Nuuanu Congregational ChurchHonolulu, HI$5,000

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 96% of this one's giving went to organizations in Hawaii. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

Hawaii
$29.5M
California
$610K
Washington
$300K
Minnesota
$250K
Oregon
$10K

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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 the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund72 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc68 shared recipientsAloha United Way Inc64 shared recipientsJ Watumull Fund55 shared recipientsBank of Hawaii Charitable Fdn53 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc52 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $30,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Hawaii.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 Kosasa Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2020-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: 3610 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI, 96816. 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 99-0313279 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.