Frost Family Foundation
The Frost Family Foundation is a private family foundation headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. Founded in 2010 by Karin Frost following the sale of her company Ergobaby, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking. The foundation was granted tax-exempt status in January 2011.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.1M
+3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$345K
-31.2% YoY
Grant Count
10
-16.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
-17.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Frost Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $541K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Frost Family Foundation believes that thriving equitable relationships are at the heart of impactful philanthropy, with relationships with grantees rooted in trust.
The foundation's current funding areas include:
- Food and Agriculture
- Environmental Protection & Conservation
- Women's Leadership
- Nurturing Pre- and Post-natal Bonding and Attachment
Grantmaking
All foundation funding is unrestricted and multi-year after the first year of funding, with minimal reporting requirements as long as impact is evident. The foundation emphasizes communication and trust as the foundation of partnerships with grantees, viewing itself as colleagues with the nonprofit community.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Frost Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Hawaii, with a particular emphasis on community organizations across the state.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $7.8 million
- Total Revenue: $914,000
- Total Expenses: $751,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $8,062,228
- Total Revenue: $845,200
- Total Expenses: $578,835
Investment Strategy: The Frost Family Foundation was an early adopter of socially responsible investment strategies, partnering with Natural Investments in 2012 to build a portfolio that has consistently outperformed other market indicators while ensuring the growth of a resilient green economy.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,062,228 | $7,795,863 | $7,632,256 |
| Revenue | $845,200 | $914,354 | $1,458,840 |
| Expenses | $578,835 | $750,747 | $1,317,056 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $421,922 | $568,443 | $1,148,336 |
| Net Investment Income | $688,287 | $732,051 | $1,308,083 |
| Distributable Amount | $541,094 | $520,503 | $609,989 |
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
70 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Beyond Pesticides ($125,000), Honolulu Civil Beat Inc ($35,000), Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TEMPLE OF PEACE COMMUNITY HAIKU, HI | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $10,000 |
| HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT INC HONOLULU, HI | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $35,000 |
| SUSTAINABLE COASTLINES HAWAII HONOLULU, HI | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $25,000 |
| BEYOND PESTICIDES WASHINGTON, DC | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $125,000 |
| FUNDER HUI HONOLULU, HI | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $25,000 |
| CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY WASHINGTON, DC | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $25,000 |
| LAHAINA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST LAHAINA, HI | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $25,000 |
| NATIVE HAWAIIAN LEGAL CORP HONOLULU, HI | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $25,000 |
| PARLEY FOR THE OCEANS NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $25,000 |
| RESOURCES LEGACY FUND SACRAMENTO, CA | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Karin Frost - Founder (2010)
- Robert Frost - Trustee (Karin's father)
- Svea Frost - Trustee (Karin's mother)
- Erik Frost - Trustee (Karin's brother)
- Keala - Trustee (Karin's son)
- Ashley Lukens - Executive Director (since 2016)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARIN A FROST | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ASHLEY LUKENS | FOUNDATION M | 10 | $120,419 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active grantee portfolio and regularly updates its list of supported organizations. Recent grants have focused on environmental protection, food security, and civil engagement initiatives across Hawaii.
Civil Beat \u2014 Frost Family FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Frost Family Foundation fund?
The Frost Family Foundation believes that thriving equitable relationships are at the heart of impactful philanthropy, with relationships with grantees rooted in trust. The foundation's current funding areas include: • Food and Agriculture • Environmental Protection & Conservation • Women's Leadership • Nurturing Pre- and Post-natal Bonding and Attachment
How do I apply for a grant from Frost Family Foundation?
**Funding Approach:** All foundation funding is unrestricted and multi-year after the first year of funding, with minimal reporting requirements as long as impact is evident. The foundation emphasizes communication and trust as the foundation of partnerships with grantees, viewing itself as colleagues with the nonprofit community. **Application Process:** Grants are currently by invitation only. The foundation curates a small group of new grantees each year through active engagement with enviro…
Where does Frost Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Hawaii, with a particular emphasis on community organizations across the state.
What size grants does Frost Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Frost Family Foundation awarded 10 grants totaling $345K — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Frost Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Frost Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $541K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Frost Family Foundation's EIN?
Frost Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3374284. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Frost Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Hamakua Institute
NINOLE, HI
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Harry Chow and Nee Chang Chock Wong
HONOLULU, HI
Assets
$13.6M
Grants
25
Total Given
$715K
Kanaka Aupuni a Niihau Aloha
KEKAHA, HI
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$150K
Wailea Community Association
WAILEA, HI
Assets
$4.1M
Grants
3
Total Given
$138K
Altres Foundation
HONOLULU, HI
Assets
—
Grants
78
Total Given
$514K
Skipping Stone Foundation
HONOLULU, HI
Assets
—
Grants
5
Total Given
$418K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Frost Family Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Frost Family Foundation to a real strategy.