The Clarence T.C Ching Foundation Grant

The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation is a private philanthropic organization located in Honolulu, Hawaii, operating under a mission to improve the quality of life for the people of Hawaii. The Foundation supports tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations across the state and is particularly interested in projects that align with six core focus areas: Education; Children, Youth, and Families; Arts, Culture & Innovation; Healthcare; Housing; and Sustainability. Beginning in 2025, applications are segmented into two cycles: January for the first three focus areas and July for the latter three. The Foundation only considers applications from organizations based in Hawaii, and it explicitly excludes projects outside of the state. Additional restrictions include disqualification for projects involving individuals, political organizations, commercial development, and others listed on their eligibility page. Applications are accepted twice annually, with deadlines on January 31st for the March grant committee meeting and July 31st for the September meeting. All submissions must be received by 4:00 p.m. HST on the deadline date. Eligible applicants are required to submit several components as part of their application. This includes an organization’s annual budget, most recent audited financial statements, details of funding sources broken down into received, committed, and requested categories, a copy of their IRS Determination Letter, and a signed statement affirming the organization’s current 501(c)(3) status. Additionally, the applicant must provide full contact details including names, email addresses, and phone numbers for both an organizational contact and the applicant organization itself. These requirements ensure the Foundation can fully evaluate the credibility and needs of each applicant. The review process is governed by the Foundation’s Grant Committee, which evaluates proposals during its biannual meetings in March and September. If further evaluation is required, applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation such as the identity and qualifications of key personnel, names and affiliations of directors or trustees, and updated financial statements. A proposal’s acceptance for review does not guarantee funding, and the Foundation reserves full discretion over the award decision. For successful applicants, funding is contingent on proper financial and programmatic reporting. Recipients must submit a final report that includes a financial statement and narrative overview of outcomes upon project completion. Annual and interim progress reports may also be requested. Failure to meet these reporting requirements may disqualify an organization from future funding consideration. Notifications of award decisions are issued within three weeks following the relevant Board meeting. All inquiries about the grant program can be directed to the Foundation’s administrative contact via email at admin@chingfoundation.org or by phone at (808) 521-0344. The Foundation’s office is located at City Financial Tower, 201 Merchant Street, Suite 1840, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Submit early. Failure to report can disqualify future funding.