HMSA Foundation is a private foundation based in Honolulu, Hawaii, established to extend HMSA's commitment to providing access to cost-effective health care services, health promotion, education and research, and the promotion of social welfare. The foundation operates with a staff of 2 employees and maintains significant assets to support its grantmaking activities throughout Hawaii.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.3M
-9.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.1M
-10.1% YoY
Grant Count
19
-13.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$109K
+4.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Hmsa Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Uplifting community practices that build health and connection among people and place.
The foundation's approach is grounded in values of building relationships based on trust and reciprocity, eliminating restrictions and burdens on nonprofit partners, and fundamentally shifting power to communities.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Health disparities and public health
- Science and STEM education
- Human services
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
The foundation has historically supported initiatives targeting obesity, strengthening children's health, supporting kupuna (elders), and uplifting the Native Hawaiian community as ways to support the wellbeing of Hawaii's people and place.
Grantmaking
The foundation has made at least 17 grants in recent cycles. The foundation emphasizes multi-year funding strategies and partnership with nonprofit organizations committed to addressing the deeper roots of creating health in Hawaii.
Grant Range
Range:** Typical awards range from $2,000 to $1,200,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Hawaii, with particular emphasis on community-based organizations and health centers throughout the state.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $16,348,213
- Total Revenues: $626,256
- Total Expenses: $4,964,343
- Investment Income and Dividends: $556,414
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $18,000,000
- Total Revenues: $1,410,000
- Total Expenses: $472,000
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since January 1998
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $16,348,213 | $17,981,438 | $19,108,586 |
| Revenue | $626,256 | $1,407,161 | $1,011,023 |
| Expenses | $4,964,343 | $471,963 | $931,333 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,068,000 | $2,302,360 | $2,305,633 |
| Net Investment Income | $614,602 | $1,407,161 | $1,011,023 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,026,556 | $1,004,295 | $1,126,699 |
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
133 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Hawaii Foundation ($1,200,000), Five Mountains Hawaii ($100,000), Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AHAHUI O KAUKA ASSOCIATION OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN PHYSICIANS HONOLULU, HI | ALOHA AINA: HE HULIAU I KA PONO | $2,000 |
| FIVE MOUNTAINS HAWAII KAMUELA, HI | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES (HUI PARTNER) | $100,000 |
| FRIENDS OF HALE 'OLUEA CLUBHOUSE HILO, HI | HALE 'OLUEA CLUBHOUSE FOOD PROGRAM | $20,000 |
| FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN'S JUSTICE CENTER OF OAHU HONOLULU, HI | HO'OLA NA MANA'O (HOPE AND HEALING) | $20,000 |
| HAWAII ISLAND HIVAIDS FOUNDATION DBA KUMUKAHI HEALTH WELLNESS HILO, HI | WEST HAWAII PROGRAM EXPANSION | $20,000 |
| HAWAII PRIMARY CARE ASSOCIATION HONOLULU, HI | HOOLA CONFERENCE - HEALTH EQUITY - REAL TALK - REAL STORIES - REAL SOLUTIONS | $6,000 |
| HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY ASSETS INC HONOLULU, HI | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES (HUI PARTNER) | $65,000 |
| ISLAND OF HAWAII YMCA HILO, HI | JUNIOR LEADER PROGRAM | $20,000 |
| KOKUA KALIHI VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY SERVICES HONOLULU, HI | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES (HUI PARTNER) | $100,000 |
| KUALOA HEEIA ECUMENICAL YOUTH PROJECT KANEOHE, HI | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES (HUI PARTNER) | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER DIESMAN | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| GINA L MARTING | TREASURER/SECRETARY (THRU 5/24) | 1 | — |
| JASON CHANG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LINDA EZUKA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRANDEE MENINO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK MUGIISHI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KENNETH NAKAMURA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW SASAKI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICHARD TAAFFE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LESLIE WILKINS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: www.hmsafoundation.org
- Telephone: 808-948-5145
- Address: PO Box 860, Honolulu, HI 96808-0860
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hmsa Foundation fund?
**Mission:** Uplifting community practices that build health and connection among people and place. The foundation's approach is grounded in values of building relationships based on trust and reciprocity, eliminating restrictions and burdens on nonprofit partners, and fundamentally shifting power to communities. **Primary funding focus areas include:** • Education • Health disparities and public health • Science and STEM education • Human services • Philanthropy and voluntarism The foundation …
How do I apply for a grant from Hmsa Foundation?
**Grant Size Range:** Typical awards range from $2,000 to $1,200,000. **Recent Grants (2024):** • University of Hawaii Foundation: $1,200,000 (Building Learning Innovations for Hawaii's Future Doctors and Interprofessional Health Sciences Education and Simulation Program) • Kipuka O Ke Ola: $100,000 (Operational Expenses - Hui Partner) • Waimanalo Health Center: $100,000 (Operational Expenses - Hui Partner) **Total giving in 2024:** $2,068,000 The foundation has made at least 17 grants in recen…
Where does Hmsa Foundation make grants?
Hawaii, with particular emphasis on community-based organizations and health centers throughout the state.
What size grants does Hmsa Foundation award?
In 2024, Hmsa Foundation awarded 19 grants totaling $2.1M — an average of about $109K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Hmsa Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Hmsa Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Hmsa Foundation's EIN?
Hmsa Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-0250429. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Hmsa 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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