MEDIA RELEASE

A new resource has been established for the people and communities of East Hawaii, from Waipio to Waiohinu. With the help of KTA Superstores, the estate of Frederick Yokoyama and a group of local citizens serving as an advisory committee, the East Hawaii Fund was established to provide a stronger link between charitable donors and the specific needs of East Hawaii.

This regional fund will continue to grow through contributions, bequests and planned gifts from donors who want to respond to current and emerging community needs. The East Hawaii Fund is a component fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation, a statewide, publicly supported grantmaking foundation.

“This fund is being created by our community, for our community,” said Barry Taniguchi, president and CEO of KTA Superstores. “It’s a way that individuals, families and businesses can give back to the community that we all care about. The East Hawaii Fund reflects our community values and our belief in the future. We encourage the community to learn more about this new resource.”

Applications are currently being accepted by East Hawaii nonprofit organizations. The deadline to apply is Sept. 1, 2011.

The East Hawaii Fund especially welcomes proposals that involve people and organizations from different sectors of the community who are working together to address an issue of concern to the community.

Preference will be given to projects that address one or more of the following areas:

* Educational opportunities with an emphasis on early childhood, after school/out-of-school experiential opportunities for youth, and/or preparedness for education and career success
* Strengthening intergenerational relationships
* Economic sufficiency for self, family and community
* Family-centered and integrative approaches to health care
* Social conditions such as poverty, domestic violence, substance abuse or crime
* Recreational opportunities with an emphasis on family and/or intergenerational activities

To be eligible for a grant of more than $2,500, a group must be a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization – such as schools, units of government or neighborhood groups – or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor and clearly demonstrate a program or project’s benefit to the East Hawaii community.

Community organizations without 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply for a grant up to $2,500, provided the activities to be supported are charitable.

Grants awarded will range between $1,000 to $8,000 and organizations may apply for up to two consecutive years of funding, however the East Hawaii Fund will not make multi-year commitments.

Proposal information is available at www.hawaii.communityfoundation.org

All proposals should be mailed to Hawaii Community Foundation, Attention: East Hawaii Fund, 827 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI 96813 and must be post-marked on or before Sept. 1, 2011.

With 95 years of community service, the Hawaii Community Foundation has become the leading philanthropic institution in the state. Having a presence that stretches across all the islands and a reach covering a broad array of fields, the Foundation works with individuals, families, foundations, businesses and organizations to transform lives and improve Hawaii’s communities.

In 2010, the Foundation provided more than $32 million in grants and contracts across Hawaii on behalf of its clients and funds.