Chung Kun Ai Foundation
The Chung Kun Ai Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Honolulu, Hawaii. The foundation is closely connected to City Mill Company, Ltd., and operates under the leadership of the Ai family, whose patriarch Chung Kun Ai founded City Mill in the late 19th century.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.2M
-0.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$111K
-8.9% YoY
Grant Count
52
+4.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
-12.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Chung Kun Ai Foundation reported a distributable amount of $131K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's stated mission is to "enrich the lives of Moiliili community by providing support, services and programs." The foundation supports educational initiatives, community development, and charitable causes, with particular emphasis on Hawaii-based organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation has demonstrated grant activity in recent years. In 2021, the foundation awarded a $500 grant to Moiliili Community Center in Honolulu. The foundation has also established endowed scholarships in partnership with City Mill Company, Ltd., including the City Mill Company, Ltd./Chung Kun Ai Foundation Endowed Scholarship for Excellence at the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii. This scholarship program, originally established in 2004, has awarded scholarships to 26 students and was elevated to an endowment to support full-time undergraduate business students in perpetuity.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates primarily in Hawaii, with a specific focus on Honolulu and the Moiliili community.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2015, the foundation reported total assets of $1,979,117. The foundation is required to file IRS Form 990-PF as a private foundation. Recent giving totals approximately $121,250 annually.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,150,498 | $2,169,070 | $2,236,140 |
| Revenue | $111,519 | $91,215 | $138,485 |
| Expenses | $133,243 | $142,619 | $144,644 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $113,531 | $124,107 | $122,769 |
| Net Investment Income | $51,326 | $50,741 | $65,966 |
| Distributable Amount | $130,720 | $115,450 | $118,229 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
235 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Institute for Human Services ($5,000), Pacific University Oregon ($4,000), Oregon State University ($4,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFTER SCHOOL ALL-STARS HONOLULU, HI | PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE AFTERSCHOOLPROGRAMS THAT ARE FUNFOR KIDS AND ALSO KEEP THEM SAFE | $500 |
| THE DR SUN YAT SEN HAWAII HONOLULU, HI | RESEARCH, CHRONICLE AND EXHIBITDR. SUN'S LINKS TO HAWAII | $500 |
| FRANK DE LIMA'S STUDENT ENRICHMENT HONOLULU, HI | PROVIDE DRUG EDUCATION ANDDRUG ABUSE PRVENTION SERVICESTO HAWAII'S YOUTH | $500 |
| HAWAIIAN ISLANDS MINISTRIES HONOLULU, HI | EDUCATE, TRAIN, EQUIP AND INSPIRE LEADERS IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY | $500 |
| NAVIAN HAWAII HONOLULU, HI | IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS FACING LIFE-LIMITING ILLNESS AND THEIR FAMILIES | $500 |
| MOILIILI COMMUNITY CENTER HONOLULU, HI | ENRICH THE LIVES OF MOILIILICOMMUNITY BY PROVIDINGSUPPORT, SERVICES AND PROGRAMS | $500 |
| MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH HONOLULU, HI | TO PROVIDE RELIGIOUS SERVICES | $500 |
| HONPA HONGWANJI HAWAII BETSUIN HONOLULU, HI | EDUCATE AND ESTABLISH A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF PURE LAND BUDDHISM | $500 |
| KAUMAKAPILI PROTESTANT CHURCH HONOLULU, HI | TO PROVIDE RELIGIOUS SERVICES | $500 |
| CENTRAL UNION CHURCH HONOLULU, HI | TO PROVIDE RELIGIOUS SERVICES | $500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Steven Ai serves as president and CEO of City Mill Company, Ltd. and is listed as a key contact for the foundation. Carol Ai May serves as vice president of City Mill. David C. Ai, son of Chung Kun Ai, remains an active supporter of community organizations in Hawaii.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| YI CHUAN CHING | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STEVEN C AI | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CAROL AI MAY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DIANA BABA | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In September 2025, the David C. Ai Charitable Trust announced a $3 million gift to the YMCA of Honolulu to support the renovation and naming of the Nuʻuanu YMCA. The gift recognizes Chung Kun Ai's role as one of the five founders of the local YMCA. The renovated facility will be completed in two phases, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027. The second phase will include affordable housing developed in partnership with housing experts and the city.
SL Chairman Lee Chung-gon donated 300 million won in the development fundFrequently Asked Questions
What does Chung Kun Ai Foundation fund?
The foundation's stated mission is to "enrich the lives of Moiliili community by providing support, services and programs." The foundation supports educational initiatives, community development, and charitable causes, with particular emphasis on Hawaii-based organizations.
How do I apply for a grant from Chung Kun Ai Foundation?
The foundation has demonstrated grant activity in recent years. In 2021, the foundation awarded a $500 grant to Moiliili Community Center in Honolulu. The foundation has also established endowed scholarships in partnership with City Mill Company, Ltd., including the City Mill Company, Ltd./Chung Kun Ai Foundation Endowed Scholarship for Excellence at the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii. This scholarship program, originally established in 2004, has awarded scholarships to…
Where does Chung Kun Ai Foundation make grants?
The foundation operates primarily in Hawaii, with a specific focus on Honolulu and the Moiliili community.
What size grants does Chung Kun Ai Foundation award?
In 2024, Chung Kun Ai Foundation awarded 52 grants totaling $111K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Chung Kun Ai Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Chung Kun Ai Foundation reported a distributable amount of $131K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Chung Kun Ai Foundation's EIN?
Chung Kun Ai Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-6003289. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chung Kun Ai Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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