Grant FAQ & Application

The mission of Friends of Hawaii Charities, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, is to generate funding for Hawaii’s charities that benefit women, children, youth, and the impoverished. The Friends’ principal fund-raising event is the SONY OPEN IN HAWAII PGA TOUR golf tournament held at Waialae Country Club each January. Friends and the event’s charity partner, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc., have generated more than $11,000,000 for hundreds of charities in the Hawaiian Islands.

The Friends annual grants program provides funds to qualified not-for-profit organizations recognized under the IRS 501 c 3 section.  Friends’ will accept grant applications through January 31, 2012.  To obtain a copy of the grant guidelines and grant application, please download the application at the bottom of the page. 

Friends of Hawaii Charities funds programs that benefit Hawaii’s children, youth, women, elderly and needy in the following areas: culture, arts and educations programs; healthcare and basic needs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What type of organization is Friends of Hawaii Charities?

Friends of Hawaii Charities, Inc. is a tax-exempt Federal 501 (c) (3) public charity organization that was founded in 1998. Its primary purpose is to generate funding for programs administered by Hawaii's not-for-profit organizations that benefit women, children, youth, and community groups with basic life needs.

How are funds generated for Friends of Hawaii Charities?  
How is money raised for its grants program?

Friends of Hawaii Charities generates funding primarily through corporate sponsorship sales for its fund-raising community events. Its flagship fund-raising event is the Sony Open in Hawaii PGA TOUR golf tournament held each year in January at the Waialae Country Club. Other funding sources includes other charity donations and funds raised through The Friends Club.

How is the Friends of Hawaii Charities affiliated with 
the Sony Open in Hawaii PGA TOUR golf tournament?

The Friends of Hawaii Charities entered into an agreement with the PGA TOUR to produce the Sony Open in Hawaii PGA TOUR golf tournament in 1998 with the shared goal of channeling proceeds to charity. Both the PGA TOUR, a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers, and Friends holds charity giving as a fundamental priority. As sponsor of record with the TOUR, Friends manages and produces the tournament specifically to benefit Hawaii-based charities by mobilizing a volunteer corps of more than 1,700. Sony Corporation is the title sponsor and vital partner of this global televised event.

What is the relationship between Friends of Hawaii Charities 
and The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation?

Friends of Hawaii Charities and The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc. - Hawaii's largest benefactors - share similar philanthropic intents. In 1999, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc. stepped forward to become the official charity partner of Friends of Hawaii Charities for the Sony Open in Hawaii golf tournament through 2011. The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc. generously has provided matching funds for the total amount raised at the Sony Open in Hawaii golf tournament annually. These contributions are directed to Hawaii's not-for-profit organizations.

How do I apply for a grant?

Grants are given annually to qualified not-for-profit organization applicants. The application process includes completion of a grant application accompanied by designated required documents. The deadline for the 2012 Friends of Hawaii Charities grant application is Tuesday, January 31, 2012. To view 2012 grant guidelines and application, please download the file at the bottom of the page.

What type of grants do Friends of Hawaii Charities fund?

To be considered for funding, an organization must be a public agency or a not-for-profit organization certified under the Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Friends fund programs that benefit Hawaii's children, youth, women, elderly, and the needy in the following areas:
    •    Arts and education
    •    Healthcare and basic needs
    •    Social services