Investing in Community

In 2019, HMSA Foundation launched a new way of giving with the goals of lifting up community practices that build health and to shift the power of philanthropy toward our community partners. 

In the past, HMSA Foundation annually accepted applications from nonprofit organizations to award a one-time grant. Recognizing that this method places much of the burden on nonprofits year after year, HMSA Foundation changed its strategy to become funding partners based on relationships, trust, and a shared vision of health. 

 
 

We embarked on a monthslong process of research and outreach to different nonprofit organizations across Hawaiʻi that are addressing the deeper roots of health in their communities. We invited 10 nonprofit organizations that share our view of health in Hawaiʻi called Pilinahā, a community-based model developed by Kōkua Kalihi Valley and Islander Institute that defines health and wellbeing by building connections. 

To become better partners with our nonprofit grantees, HMSA Foundation took the following steps:

  • Providing unrestricted funding for five years

  • Creating opportunities to build relationships with other nonprofits and individuals doing similar work

  • Providing support beyond funding, such as making connections, exchanging resources and knowledge, and more 

  • Soliciting our partners’ honest feedback to co-create a beneficial experience together 

  • Being transparent and responsive in our role as funder to build accountability and authenticity

  • Simplifying the paperwork process

Our work together as a hui (cohort) is to build connections, relationships, and trust to ultimately change how we view and create health in Hawaiʻi. 

Our hui partners include: