WORKING GROUPS
Funder Hui Working Groups
Our Working Groups provide an important structure of member participation within Funder Hui that have blossomed into a crucial platform to collaboration. These working groups are organized and facilitated by Funder Hui members, providing a platform for leadership and impact for leading foundations. Working groups also provide a place for community groups, non-profits, and community experts to work together around shared priority areas.
Active working groups include:
Food & Farmers Working Group
This working group hosts monthly meetings, often with a guest speaker in the field of agriculture or food systems, along with those who can speak on government funding and other relevant issues. Over 40 funders are members of this working group, and each meeting has between 20-40 folks in attendance. The activities of this working group have led to increased collaboration, learning, and funding in the area of food and farming in Hawai’i. Most of these meetings are on Zoom, with occasional meetings in person. Contact Marisa Hayase at mhayase@hjweinberg.org to request to join.Housing Working Group
This working group meets monthly to learn together about housing and community development models that support families to live and thrive in their home communities. The over a dozen members of this work- ing group convene toward collaboration and meet with national and local experts in developing affordable housing, investing in families, and driving forward innovative models that preserve housing affordability in Hawai’i. Meetings are offered on Zoom, with some in-person and hybrid meetings as well.The Housing Working Group “was founded by a group of philanthropic leaders who share a goal of sup- porting Hawai’i residents to afford a life for themselves and their keiki in their home community. We come together to hold space for private funders to coordinate, share best practices, and learn from housing and community development thought leaders in Hawai’i and nationally.” -Xan Avendaño, Convener of the Housing WG, and Program Officer at Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
Education Working Group
This working group launched in February 2023 and meets every six weeks to discuss emerging topics in education. The group operates from a philosophy of envisioning a more robust public education system that provides access to a quality education from any school within the State of Hawaiʻi. This group offers a hybrid, in-person and Zoom, option for all meetings. Contact Josh Reppun at josh@whatschoolcouldbe.org to request to join.Capacity Building Working Group
The capacity building working group comprises representatives from philanthropic entities and nonprofit providers/organizations. Its primary focus is how to best support the capacity of the non- profit sector to do the work they do across the state. Throughout the pandemic, any projects, thought-partner discussions, brainstorming sessions, and responses to a request for help were not necessarily addressed by the group as a whole but rather by organically formed collaborations within the group itself with partners that made the most sense (including some who are not working group members). This group meets as needed. Any requests to join the working group should be sent to Jan Harada, H.T. Hayashi Foundation, at jharada@hthayashifoundation.org.Women & Girls Working Group
Coming Soon
New participants to Funder Hui are welcome to reach out to us to ask questions about any working groups. More working groups may be established if there is interest in other areas. Email aloha@funderhui.org with any questions about or requests to join any of Funder Hui’s working groups.
Xan Avendaño (far right)
Funder Working Groups Outside of Funder Hui Include:
Environmental Funders Group
This group is independent of Funder Hui. Dues are required to participate in EFG programming. Contact Dana Okana at DOkano@hcf-hawaii.org to request membership information.Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative
The Weinberg Foundation, along with the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF), Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, and Hawaiʻi Medical Services Association (HMSA), recently launched the Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative. The Collaborative is open to all private donors active in Hawaiʻi workforce initiatives. Members make an annual contribution that funds the collaborative’s statewide programs, policy work, and cross-sector initiatives.