Cooke Foundation Grant

The Cooke Foundation, Limited is a private philanthropic organization based in Honolulu, Hawaii, dedicated to fostering meaningful improvements in the welfare and quality of life for the people of Hawaii. Grounded in a legacy of community-focused giving, the Foundation prioritizes investments in arts, culture, humanities, education, environment, and human services. While grants in other areas may be considered, unsolicited proposals that fall outside these primary interests are not accepted. The Foundation is known for its discerning selection process and commitment to funding programs that demonstrate a measurable and sustainable impact. For the FY26 Round 2 grant cycle, the Foundation has implemented a two-step application process aimed at improving efficiency and aligning resources with its strategic focus. The process begins with the submission of a "Letter of Interest" (LOI), which serves as a short-form application. This initial phase allows applicants to briefly present their programs and ensures that only eligible and aligned organizations move forward to submit a full application. The LOI for Round 2 is due by 4:00 PM HST on January 12, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their LOI status by February 17, 2026. Those invited to proceed must submit their full applications by March 9, 2026, also by 4:00 PM HST. Final funding decisions will be made at a Trustee meeting scheduled for May 2026. The Foundation accepts applications only from organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) public charities. Those not holding this designation must apply through a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) public charity, though Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organizations are ineligible. The Foundation also requires that the fiscal sponsor paperwork be complete and uploaded at the LOI stage. Applicants must ensure that all previous grants have been closed out through a submitted final report in the Grants Portal before applying for new funding. The use of a fiscal sponsor does not circumvent the Foundation’s policy that organizations may only receive one grant per fiscal year unless also serving as a fiscal sponsor for a separate project. The typical grant size from the Cooke Foundation is up to $20,000. While requests above this amount are allowed, such awards are rare. For example, in FY2024, only six grants exceeded $20,000, with the remainder averaging approximately $14,300. Furthermore, applicants requesting more than $5,000 must ensure that the requested amount does not exceed 30% of the total project budget. The Foundation does not fund endowments, re-granting programs, religious activities, scholarships, or previously completed activities. Multi-year pledges may be made, but payments are contingent upon timely submission of satisfactory progress reports and are released in twelve-month intervals. Applicants must submit their LOIs and full applications through the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Grants Portal. An updated Organization Profile is mandatory at the LOI stage and must include current financial statements, a list of Board of Directors, and mission-related information. Sponsored organizations must also provide resolution and agreement documents, and fiscal sponsors must be invited to the application portal to certify submissions. Only complete and timely applications will be reviewed, and website links or supplemental materials are not permitted in the narrative responses. The Foundation encourages applicants to demonstrate a strong plan for long-term sustainability through diversified funding, including individual donors, public contracts, and earned income. It generally avoids providing ongoing funding to any one program or organization for more than two consecutive fiscal years. For capital requests, applicants must outline site control, design and construction timelines, permitting status, cost sources, and project management capabilities. The Foundation emphasizes the importance of strategic, community-driven programming and welcomes proposals that align deeply with its mission to create lasting improvements for Hawaii’s communities.

Funding requests over $5,000 must not exceed 30% of total project budget; incomplete or outdated documents result in administrative denial.