Our Impact

Our Grantmaking Portfolio

Since 2002, the Parks Family Foundation has quietly invested in Hawaiʻi’s communities across the main islands taking a thoughtful, targeted grantmaking approach. Many of our awards have been made through our donor-advised fund with our partner, the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. For a quarter-century, our grantmaking in Hawaiʻi has remained focused on advancing sustainable agriculture, strengthening local food security, and promoting community economic development across the islands.

Grantmaking since: 2002 (nearly 25 years)
Total grantees supported: dozens of Hawaiʻi-based nonprofits
Grant award range: $5,000 – $100,000
Typical award size: $10,000 - $25,000
Grant duration: Usually 1–3 years, with multi-year support for high-impact partners
Key grantee characteristics: Hawaiʻi-based; many are registered 501(c)(3) organizations; most work at the intersection of land stewardship, cultural preservation, and community resilience; most grant awards made to rural or underserved areas.

Portfolio by Decade

  
      Decade
      
      Grantmaking Strategy
      
      Illustrative Grantees
    
      2000s
      
      Early support for pioneering sustainable agriculture initiatives on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and on Hawaiʻi Island through small, single-year awards for community-based farming cooperatives and land restoration projects.
      
      Waipā Foundation;
Paepae o Heʻeia;
MAʻO Farms;
Kīpahulu ʻOhana;
Hoa ʻĀina O Mākaha
    
      2010s
      
      Continued grantmaking to organizations advancing regenerative farming, food security programs, and cultural education across Oʻahu, Maui Nui, and on Hawaiʻi Island.
      
      Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke (Māhele Farm/Hāna Community Garden);
ʻĀina Hoʻokupu o Kīlauea;
Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi;
Pōhāhā I Ka Lani
    
      2020s
      
      Larger, multi-year grant awards made to fewer grantees supporting targerted community agriculture, cultural restoration, and local resiliency and stewardship programs.
      
      Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi
(poi mill + certified kitchen infrastructure; mushroom farm startup operations)

Decade	Grantmaking Strategy	Illustrative Grantees
2000s	Early support for pioneering sustainable agriculture initiatives on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and on Hawaiʻi Island through small, single-year awards for community-based farming cooperatives and land restoration projects.	Waipā Foundation; Paepae o Heʻeia; MAʻO Farms; Kīpahulu ʻOhana; Hoa ʻĀina O Mākaha
2010s	Continued grantmaking to organizations advancing regenerative farming, food security programs, and cultural education across Oʻahu, Maui Nui, and on Hawaiʻi Island.	Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke (Māhele Farm/Hāna Community Garden); ʻĀina Hoʻokupu o Kīlauea; Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi; Pōhāhā I Ka Lani
2020s	Larger, multi-year grant awards made to fewer grantees supporting targerted community agriculture, cultural restoration, and local resiliency and stewardship programs.	Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi (poi mill + certified kitchen infrastructure; mushroom farm startup operations)

The Difference We Help Create

Our grants have helped strengthen local food systems, restore culturally significant lands, and build more resilient communities across Hawaiʻi. By supporting organizations that combine traditional Hawaiian values with modern stewardship practices, the foundation’s investments have contributed to healthier ʻāina, greater food security, and stronger connections between people and place. This directly advances our mission while honoring the Parks family’s blended heritage through meaningful, place-based philanthropy.