Elsie H. Wilcox Foundation Grant

The Elsie H. Wilcox Foundation, managed by the Bank of Hawaii as trustee, supports charitable organizations across Hawaii whose programs benefit a substantial number of residents. Rooted in a flexible trust document, the Foundation’s giving focuses on adaptability to meet evolving community needs. It has a broad funding scope but excludes grants to individuals, endowments, reserve purposes, deficit financing, or out-of-state travel. Only single-year funding is considered, and multiple-year commitments are not made. The Foundation operates three main funding categories: program grants, general operating grants, and capital grants. Program grants support initiatives that directly impact individual and family well-being across the islands. General operating grants are typically reserved for organizations with a demonstrated, long-standing relationship with the Foundation. Capital grants are intended for small-scale facility or equipment needs, with total project costs under $500,000. Across all categories, supported sectors include arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, religion, and community. Applications are evaluated by the Foundation’s Distribution Committee, which considers board engagement, fiscal health, sustainability planning, and the alignment of the proposed program with demonstrated community needs. Preference is given to applicants with 100% board financial participation and a clear commitment to organizational self-sufficiency. Projects involving schools require letters of support from participating principals or educators and must provide anticipated student involvement figures. All applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or operate under a fiscal sponsor. Organizations using fiscal sponsors must contact the Charitable Foundation Services office before submitting a proposal. Applicants must submit all required materials through the appropriate grant portal using a code specific to each grant type (e.g., EHWFP for program grants) by 11:59 PM HST on September 1 and can assume a rolling structure. Notification of grant decisions is provided in writing, and recipients are required to submit both a narrative and financial report post-award. While preference is given to organizations with a history of working with the Foundation, all qualified applicants are reviewed based on merit and in alignment with the trust’s intent. The Foundation does not support deficit recovery or reserve-building strategies, instead prioritizing forward-facing community benefit programs. Applications reopen annually on a consistent cycle, making this a recurring opportunity. Contact for this grant is Claire Tarumoto, VP & Grants Administrator, reachable at claire.tarumoto@boh.com or (808) 694-4945. New applicants should verify with the Charitable Foundation Services Department before setting up a new account to prevent duplication.

Emphasize full board financial participation and a strong sustainability plan. Ensure early outreach if using a fiscal sponsor.