BE THE CHANGE >>> Join us in supporting grassroots changemakers in Hawaiʻi!

Photo: Honua (Helping Others Navigate, Understand, and Achieve) Scholars empowering students to pursue STEM careers and advanced degrees to become Hawaii's future leaders, grounded in Hawaiian cultural values

Background: I turned 38 in January, and jumped into the Hawai'i People's Fund Giving Project! The Giving Project is a cohort based fundshifting intensive experience where I meet with other committed community members to learn and unlearn about structural racism in Hawai'i, justice in philanthropy, and the incredible grassroots organizations in HPF's grantee 'ohana.

How I got involved: As the HPF VP, it's been incredible to watch the success of our first Giving Project, and this year, my schedule allowed my participation to see the magic of community fundshifting first hand.

Collective Goal: Our collective goal is to raise $100,000 by May 4 to support current HPF grantees in their ongoing efforts toward wellness in all ways. My little slice of this pretty ambitious pie is $3,800 ($1,000 for every year I've drawn breath).

Why I give to HPF: Let's be real, it can be hard to figure out what organization should receive your hard earned dollars. Heck, it can just be hard to figure out if you can give. I share my resources with HPF because of our AMAZING grantees!

• The HPF approach to fundshifting combines the mana'o of grassroots organizers with the generosity of donors like you and me, to make sure that the ROCKSTARS are RESOURCED in their steadfast MOVEMENT toward JUSTICE!
• The HPF grantees are the folks who are doing the necessary work of language restoration, land reclamation, cultural preservation and resurgence, and so much more. I feel confident in where my funds go because HPF has an Activist-Advised Grantmaking approach. This means they involve community activists and leaders in philanthropic decision-making, ensuring those who spend their lives on the front lines share power in the grantmaking process.
• Also, most of the HPF grantees are not able to access mainstream funding sources. Their work is driven by passion and kuleana, and often goes unpaid. HPF believes their work should be well resourced, so we fundraise for them while they do the critical work in and with their communities.

Will you join us in this collective effort? I have committed to making my own makana aloha (meaningful personal gift), and am asking you if you would do the same. Every gift counts, and whatever you can spare makes a difference!

If this is the year you'd like to establish your support for grassroots changemakers, I encourage you to become a recurring donor, any amount matters (ex. $3.16/mo for 12 months will total $38 for the year)! You're also welcome to make a one time donation in any amount that is doable for you. $38 is a great number, but so is anything you're able to give.

Can't donate right now? If it's not a year of abundance and giving for you, that's ok. I hope it is none the less a year of sharing and ask that you share the work of HPF Grantees with all your pals! you can sign up for HPF’s emails, follow HPF on Facebook or Instagram, and/or check out their website to learn more about HPF’s grassroots partners through their Hawai’i Rising podcast and other resources.

MAHALO for your investment of time to read this and for your consideration of this call to action!