Hawaii Business Magazine

Philanthropy Reimagined: An Innovative Approach to Disaster Recovery

Major foundations are streamlining millions in recovery funding through an innovative partnership that’s changing how Hawai’i tackles community rebuilding—and creating a model that could reshape disaster response across the Islands.

In the aftermath of the devastating August 2023 Maui wildfires, a groundbreaking initiative is reshaping how Hawaiʻi philanthropic organizations approach disaster recovery. The newly announced Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative (MRFC) represents a pioneering shift in charitable giving, bringing together major foundations and organizations in a coordination of resources and expertise.

A New Model for Community Recovery

The collaborative, launched by the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF), Kaiser Permanente, and Maui United Way, introduces a streamlined approach to funding that could transform how communities rebuild after disasters. This innovative partnership includes other significant players such as the American Red Cross, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and Nuestro Futuro Foundation.

“By aligning our resources and working directly with community partners, we’re creating a framework that galvanizes our collective efforts,” explains Keanu Lau Hee, senior director of the HCF Maui Recovery Office. This coordinated approach has already demonstrated impressive results, with the collaborative providing over $19 million in funding to local organizations since its inception.

Breaking Down Barriers

Traditional disaster recovery often involves organizations navigating multiple grant applications across various foundations, each with its own requirements and timelines. The MRFC transforms this process through a single-entry point, allowing organizations to access multiple funding sources through one application.

As Maui rebuilds entire communities, entities must work together for a cohesive resuscitation. The impact of this streamlined approach creates an ecosystem where funders can collaboratively resource long-term recovery needs. This collaborative approach enables funders to pool their resources strategically, making projects possible that may have been previously unfeasible. Where a single funder might not be able to fully fund a major initiative, the collective can work together to provide comprehensive support, turning ambitious community projects from vision to reality.

“Kaiser Permanente has been an early funder and advocate for critical efforts that have now raised millions of dollars in follow-on funding from government and other donors,” said David Tumilowicz, senior director of community health at Kaiser Permanente. “This includes the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study as well as the Ke Ola Hou behavioral health resiliency center, which is now a key component of Maui County’s long term recovery plan to provide behavioral health support to survivors for decades to come. The Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative allows us to work together with other funders to grow these important initiatives.”

For more information about the Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative or to apply for funding, visit mauirecoveryfunders.org