G. N. Wilcox Trust Grant

The G. N. Wilcox Trust, administered by the Bank of Hawai‘i as Trustee, offers grant opportunities to support charitable organizations operating within the State of Hawaii. The Trust operates under the oversight of a Committee on Beneficiaries and follows a broad-purpose charitable mission. However, despite its flexible charter, the Trust maintains specific restrictions to ensure strategic and impactful giving. Grants are exclusively available to qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and are not issued to individuals, for reserves, endowments, deficit financing, or multi-year pledges. In general, government agencies and organizations substantially supported by government funds are also ineligible, as are those that function primarily as re-grantors of other funds. The G. N. Wilcox Trust gives particular attention to how nonprofit organizations are governed. It expects active board involvement, both in fundraising and governance. Specifically, 100% of board members, with the exception of those serving religious institutions, are required to make an annual financial contribution to the organization and participate in fundraising. Trustees also expect board members to attend meetings, engage in volunteer activities, and build community and business support. These standards underscore the Trust’s emphasis on organizational sustainability and community engagement. When grants involve programming in schools or classrooms, applicants must provide detailed documentation, including a list of participating schools and letters of support from school principals or teachers. The number of students anticipated to benefit from the proposed program must also be included. This requirement ensures that proposed educational projects have community buy-in and are aligned with school priorities and needs. Additional factors considered in the review process include the community need for the proposed initiative, the reasonableness of the budget, and the applicant’s ability to fully fund and sustain the project. These criteria are designed to help the Committee select projects that are both financially viable and responsive to community challenges. Each applicant may submit only one proposal per year unless they are also applying for tuition aid funding under a separate track for schools. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on April 1, July 1, or October 1, providing applicants with three annual submission windows. The review process typically takes 90 to 120 days and may involve a site visit. Decisions are communicated in writing. Awardees are required to submit a narrative and financial report in alignment with the Foundation’s reporting guidelines. While audited financials are not generally required, they may be requested under certain circumstances. Applicants considering the use of a fiscal sponsor are directed to consult with the Charitable Foundation Services office before submitting their proposals. For further information, applicants may contact Claire Tarumoto, Vice President and Grants Administrator, via email at Claire.Tarumoto@boh.com or by phone at (808) 694-4945.

Ensure full board participation and contact foundation early if using fiscal sponsor