Caroline Shipman Foundation
The Caroline Shipman Foundation is a private foundation based in Keaau, Hawaii. It made 15 grants totaling $22,700 in 2025, all to recipients in Hawaii.
Caroline Shipman Foundation at a glance
In short: Caroline Shipman Foundation gave $23K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Hawaii. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $22,700
- +5.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- -6.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,513
- +12.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $261,844
- +0.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Caroline Shipman Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Thomas English
Mailing address: 16 127 Lapaau Rd, Keaau, HI 96749
Phone: (088) 966-9325
Email: tenglish@whshipman.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Caroline Shipman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hawaii Science and Technology Museum ($5K). Together the top 10 received $18K.
Grant Size Distribution
66 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 66 grants of 66 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars in 2025 went to recipients in Hawaii. The foundation’s 2024 filing says grants are generally for use in the County of Hawaii.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Caroline Shipman Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 15 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 46% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 98% 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 (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2021) to $23K (2025). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $23K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Science and Technology Museum Hilo, HI | Operating Funds | $5,000 |
| Volcano Community Foundation Volcano, HI | Operating Funds | $3,000 |
| The Food Basket Hilo, HI | Operating Funds | $2,000 |
| Salvation Army Hilo, HI | Operating Funds | $1,500 |
| Christian Liberty School Keaau, HI | Operating Funds | $1,100 |
| Ke Kula Nawahiokalaniopuu Keaau, HI | Operating Funds | $1,100 |
| Kona Historical Society Captain Cook, HI | Operating Funds | $1,000 |
| Boys and Girls CLub of the Big Island Hilo, HI | Operating Funds | $1,000 |
| Lyman Museum Hilo, HI | Operating Funds | $1,000 |
| Puna Hongwanji Mission Keaau, HI | Operating Funds | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Caroline Shipman 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $261,844 | $21,215 | $23,123 | $22,700 | 15 | $22,700 | $20,792 | $23,241 |
| 2024 | $261,053 | $18,630 | $21,692 | $21,500 | 16 | $21,500 | $18,438 | $22,863 |
| 2023 | $258,495 | $14,165 | $14,749 | $14,380 | 13 | $14,380 | $13,796 | $21,285 |
| 2022 | $260,299 | $14,325 | $16,293 | $15,600 | 11 | $16,293 | $14,325 | $15,052 |
| 2021 | $257,866 | $25,544 | $12,382 | $12,200 | 11 | $12,382 | $25,544 | $15,803 |
| 2020 | $244,505 | $13,083 | $15,115 | $15,000 | 12 | — | $13,083 | $14,120 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Caroline Shipman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $23K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations including a science and technology museum, a food assistance organization, schools, cultural and historical organizations, a medical center foundation, and religious organizations.
The Food Basket describes its mission as feeding people experiencing hunger in Hawaii County while addressing root causes of hunger. The Kona Historical Society says it preserves Kona’s history to inform and enrich the community and visitors. Hilo Medical Center Foundation says it supports the medical center with projects benefiting the greater community. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 15 grants totaling $22,700. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $5,000, with a median grant of $1,000. The largest awards listed were $5,000 to Hawaii Science and Technology Museum and $3,000 to Volcano Community Foundation, both for operating funds. Other listed awards included $2,000 to The Food Basket and $1,500 to Salvation Army, each for operating funds.
The 2024 filing says the foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations. To apply, it instructs organizations to contact Thomas English and include the charitable organization’s name, mission statement, and a copy of its IRS determination letter. Applicants must be tax-exempt or government organizations; awards are generally for use in the County of Hawaii.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas T English as president, Margaret E M Farias as vice president, and Daria L Joquin as secretary-treasurer.
Caroline Shipman Foundation is led by Thomas T English, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas T English
President
President Trustee → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daria L Joquin
Secretary Treasurer
Secretary Treasurer Trustee → Secretary Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Margaret E M Farias
Vice President
Vpres Trustee → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Caroline Shipman Foundation
How much does Caroline Shipman Foundation give each year?
Caroline Shipman Foundation gave $23K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $22K across 16 grants.
What is Caroline Shipman Foundation's typical grant size?
Caroline Shipman Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,513, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Caroline Shipman Foundation give grants?
Caroline Shipman Foundation gives mostly in Hawaii: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Hilo, HI (8 grants) and Keaau, HI (4 grants).
Does Caroline Shipman Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Caroline Shipman Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Caroline Shipman Foundation's largest grantees?
Caroline Shipman Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Hawaii Science and Technology Museum ($5,000), Volcano Community Foundation ($3,000) and The Food Basket ($2,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Caroline Shipman Foundation?
Caroline Shipman Foundation reported $262K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $23K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $23K (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 Caroline Shipman Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations including a science and technology museum, a food assistance organization, schools, cultural and historical organizations, a medical center foundation, and religious organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Caroline Shipman Foundation?
Caroline Shipman Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Caroline Shipman Foundation's EIN?
Caroline Shipman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-0231196. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 18, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Caroline Shipman Foundation funds
Health Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Caroline Shipman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
HPM Building Supply Foundation
Keaau, HI
HPM Building Supply Foundation supports local Hawaii 501(c)(3) nonprofits across areas including housing, Native Hawaiian community development, education, and health. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $35,000, with a median of $4,150. Although its donation request program is described as active, its 2023 filing says it funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$272K
Grants
21
Total Given
$146K
Kosasa Foundation
Honolulu, HI
The Kosasa Foundation funds Hawaiʻi nonprofits working in community-based environmental stewardship, youth development, and culture and arts, with support for general operations, projects, and capital campaigns. Its 2024 grants ranged from $3,000 to $500,000, with a median of $45,000. It does not accept unsolicited proposals; interested organizations may submit a prospective grantee questionnaire and could be invited to apply.
Assets
$159.4M
Grants
84
Total Given
$5.2M
Hilo Rotary Club Foundation
Hilo, HI
The Hilo Rotary Club Foundation funds project grants for preselected charities, including organizations working in healthcare, children’s services, community media, and Rotary activities. In 2024, it made 11 grants totaling $86,249, with awards ranging from $80 to $25,000; most grant dollars went to Hawaii, with additional funding in California and Illinois. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$118K
Grants
11
Total Given
$86K
Gates Family Foundation
Denver, CO
Gates Family Foundation funds public education, natural resources, community development, and informed communities, with a focus on Colorado; capital grants support projects such as construction, renovation, and land acquisition. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,000 to $20 million, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited proposals for strategic grants, but qualified Colorado nonprofits can apply for capital grants.
Assets
$423.7M
Grants
374
Total Given
$36.3M
Altres Foundation
Honolulu, HI
Assets
$4.8M
Grants
94
Total Given
$510K
More similar funders
More Funders in Hawaii
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Caroline Shipman 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.
Caroline Shipman Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?