Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation
The Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation is a private foundation based in Mililani, Hawaii. Its 2024 filing reports 17 grants totaling $194,250, all to recipients in Hawaii.
Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation at a glance
In short: Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation gave $194K across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), mostly in Hawaii. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $194,250
- +13.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +54.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $11,426
- -26.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $2,718,227
- -4.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (3 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 893134, Mililani, HI 96789
Phone: (808) 306-7793
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Volunteer Ally ($40K). Together the top 10 received $176K.
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 74 grants of 76 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Hawaii.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 17 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 47% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 27% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 79% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $145K (2020) to $402K (2022). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $194K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Volunteer Ally Honolulu, HI | General | $40,000 |
| Hawaii Pacific Health Honolulu, HI | SSRP Program | $35,000 |
| The Queen's Medical Center Honolulu, HI | Capital Campaign - Hospital Renovation | $30,000 |
| Aloha United Way Honolulu, HI | General | $20,000 |
| Hawaii Foodbank Honolulu, HI | General | $14,000 |
| Kapiolani Health Foundation Honolulu, HI | General | $10,000 |
| Kunia Country Farms Educational Outreach Kunia, HI | General | $10,000 |
| The Pantry by Feeding Hawaii Together Honolulu, HI | General | $7,000 |
| American Red Cross Honolulu, HI | General | $5,000 |
| Hawaii Rush Soccer Club Pearl City, HI | General | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,718,227 | $151,324 | $263,412 | $194,250 | 17 | $194,250 | $142,213 | $245,625 |
| 2023 | $2,830,315 | $477,030 | $223,402 | $171,000 | 11 | $171,000 | $465,550 | $208,734 |
| 2022 | $2,576,687 | $220,468 | $457,035 | $402,157 | 25 | $402,157 | $205,200 | $221,890 |
| 2021 | $2,813,260 | $79,934 | $203,285 | $152,700 | 10 | $152,700 | $69,165 | $255,292 |
| 2020 | $2,934,399 | $73,560 | $196,425 | $145,200 | 13 | — | $63,561 | $212,190 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation reported a distributable amount of $246K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations whose work, as described by the grantees, included healthcare, food security, community support, volunteer opportunities, education, and youth soccer. For example, Hawai‘i Pacific Health says its mission is to create a healthier Hawai‘i, while Feeding Hawaii Together says it works to build a sustainable and equitable food system.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave 17 grants totaling $194,250. Grants ranged from $250 to $40,000, with a median of $5,000. The largest grants were $40,000 to Volunteer Ally, $35,000 to Hawai‘i Pacific Health, $30,000 to The Queen’s Medical Center, $20,000 to Aloha United Way, and $14,000 to Hawaii Foodbank. Other listed recipients included Kapiolani Health Foundation and Kunia Country Farms Educational Outreach, each receiving $10,000; The Pantry by Feeding Hawaii Together, $7,000; and American Red Cross, Hawaii Rush Soccer Club, Mililani High School Athletic Foundation, and Punahou School, each receiving $5,000.
The Queen’s Medical Center describes its mission as providing quality healthcare services to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians and all the people of Hawaii. Aloha United Way says it advances health, education, and financial stability in the community.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Richard C Wo as chair/director, Bennett C Wo as vice chair/director, Robert W Wo as president/director, and Ronald C Wo as vice president, secretary, treasurer, and director.
Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation is led by Robert W. Wo, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert W. Wo
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard C. Wo
Chair & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bennett C. Wo
Vice Chair & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronald C. Wo
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation
How much does Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation give each year?
Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation gave $194K across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $171K across 11 grants.
What is Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation's typical grant size?
Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $11,426, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation give grants?
Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation gives mostly in Hawaii: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Honolulu, HI (13 grants) and Mililani, HI (2 grants).
Does Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 88% of Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation's largest grantees?
Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Volunteer Ally ($40,000), Hawaii Pacific Health ($35,000) and The Queen's Medical Center ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation?
Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $194K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $246K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations whose work, as described by the grantees, included healthcare, food security, community support, volunteer opportunities, education, and youth soccer. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation's EIN?
Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0629526. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ben-and-miriam-lau-foundation-morg_0525dddfb1a14eb8abddd0fe9effc81f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010629526_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ben \& Miriam Lau Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ben-and-miriam-lau-foundation-morg_0525dddfb1a14eb8abddd0fe9effc81f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Ben & Miriam Lau Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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