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Frost Family Foundation

HONOLULU, HI EIN: 27-3374284 Website

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

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

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.

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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

6states

Cities

AieaArlingtonBurlingtonHaikuHaleiwaHanaHonoluluKaneoheKapaaKapaauKapoleiKaunakakaiKulaLahainaMakawaoNew YorkOaklandPaiaSacramentoSan Diego

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.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$446K$892K$1M$2M2021202220232024
Metric202420232022
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

$0$352K$704K$1M$1M20 grants202128 grants202212 grants202310 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

BEYOND PESTICIDES$125KHONOLULU CIVIL BEAT INC$35KSUSTAINABLE COASTLINES H…$25KFUNDER HUI$25KCENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY$25KLAHAINA COMMUNITY LAND T…$25KNATIVE HAWAIIAN LEGAL CORP$25KPARLEY FOR THE OCEANS$25KRESOURCES LEGACY FUND$25KTEMPLE OF PEACE COMMUNITY$10K

Grant Size Distribution

70 grants across all recorded years

40<$50K17$50–100K13$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

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

ASHLEY LUKENSFOUNDATION M$120K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
KARIN A FROSTTRUSTEE1
ASHLEY LUKENSFOUNDATION M10$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 Foundation

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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