Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation
The Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation is a private foundation based in Honolulu, Hawaii. In its 2025 filing, it reported 23 grants totaling $292,846 to charitable organizations, including schools, universities, and cultural and community organizations.
Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation at a glance
In short: Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation gave $293K across 23 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in Hawaii. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $292,846
- +176.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 23
- +360.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,732
- -39.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,500
- Total assets
- $15,706,652
- +4.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (62% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Germaine Hope Brennan 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: 1060 Young Street 327, Honolulu, HI 96814
Phone: (808) 533-8099
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls ($43K). Together the top 10 received $268K.
Grant Size Distribution
38 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 36 grants of 38 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were reported by recipient state as Hawaii, 62%; North Carolina, 15%; Michigan, 14%; Nevada, 5%; and Georgia, 5%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
Cities
How Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation gives
- Giving grew 225% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 51% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $36K (2021) to $293K (2025). In 2025 it made 23 grants totaling $293K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls Honolulu, HI | Unrestricted Gift | $43,000 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | Unrestricted Gift | $42,500 |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Unrestricted Gift | $40,000 |
| University of Hawaii School of Law Honolulu, HI | Unrestricted Gift | $25,000 |
| University of Hawaii Foundation Honolulu, HI | Culinary Scholarship | $25,000 |
| Hawaii Symphony Orchestra Honolulu, HI | Unrestricted Gift | $25,000 |
| Hanahaui'oli School Honolulu, HI | Unrestricted Gift | $19,822 |
| Hawaii Culinary Education Foundatio Honolulu, HI | Unrestricted Gift | $19,000 |
| Emory University Atlanta, GA | Unrestricted Gift | $13,000 |
| University of Navada Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV | Unrestricted Gift | $10,835 |
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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 | $15,706,652 | $1,247,378 | $618,446 | $292,846 | 23 | $404,396 | $484,376 | $794,213 |
| 2024 | $15,077,720 | $3,084,478 | $421,286 | $106,000 | 5 | $240,519 | $805,014 | $519,306 |
| 2023 | $12,556,719 | $11,307,126 | $118,155 | $43,487 | 5 | $91,755 | $320,550 | $274,900 |
| 2022 | $1,367,748 | $119,968 | $135,572 | $90,000 | 2 | $120,361 | $30,444 | $59,904 |
| 2021 | $1,383,352 | $259,189 | $62,701 | $35,600 | 3 | $55,616 | $22,478 | $42,447 |
| 2020 | $1,186,864 | $101,909 | $73,299 | $55,000 | 3 | — | $26,265 | $36,790 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $794K for 2025 — 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 mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for education, arts and culture, public radio, environmental work, and youth programs. These are areas reflected in the work of its grantees, rather than stated focus areas of the foundation.
For example, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra describes its work as presenting high-quality performances, educating audiences, and enhancing the cultural vitality of the islands. Hawaii Public Radio says it serves Hawaii through news, music and the arts, and community conversations. The Outdoor Circle describes its work as protecting Hawaii’s natural and scenic beauty through community projects, education, and advocacy. Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii says it provides a safe place, mentoring, and opportunities for young people.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 23 grants totaling $292,846. Grants ranged from $250 to $43,000, with a median of $5,500. Larger grants included $43,000 to an individual recipient Hawaii School for Girls, $42,500 to Duke University, $40,000 to the University of Michigan, and $25,000 each to the University of Hawaii School of Law, the University of Hawaii Foundation, and Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Other reported grants included $19,822 to Hanahauoli School, $19,000 to Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation, and $13,000 to Emory University.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Elliot H Loden and Michelle Slentz as trustees.
Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elliot H Loden
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Michelle Slentz
Trustee
Co-Trustee → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2022
6 hrs/week
$15K (2022) → $118K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Elliot H. Loden Attorney At Law (2022–2024) — Co-Trustee
- Former: Germaine Brennan (2020–2022) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $118K, to Michelle Slentz (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation
How much does Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation give each year?
Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation gave $293K across 23 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $106K across 5 grants.
What is Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation's typical grant size?
Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,500, and its average grant was $12,732, across 23 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation give grants?
Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation gives mostly in Hawaii: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were North Carolina (15%) and Michigan (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Honolulu, HI (16 grants).
Does Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 96% of Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (22 of 23) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation's largest grantees?
Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls ($43,000), Duke University ($42,500) and University of Michigan ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation?
Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation reported $15.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $404K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $794K (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 Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for education, arts and culture, public radio, environmental work, and youth programs. These are areas reflected in the work of its grantees, rather than stated focus areas of the foundation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Germaine Hope Brennan 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 Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation's EIN?
Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0705445. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Germaine Hope Brennan 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 27, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
Live grants for the work Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/germaine-hope-brennan-foundation-morg_881f8e5800f04df095916501043a71de
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_760705445_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Germaine Hope Brennan Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/germaine-hope-brennan-foundation-morg_881f8e5800f04df095916501043a71de},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Germaine Hope Brennan 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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