Kosasa Foundation
The Kosasa Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1994 and headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on environmental stewardship and youth development in Hawaii.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$159.4M
+14.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.2M
-15.2% YoY
Grant Count
84
+1.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$62K
-16.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kosasa Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Vision: The Kosasa Foundation is committed to nurturing a sustainable natural environment where communities can thrive, and where younger generations have the support needed to preserve Hawaii's legacy while building a brighter future.
Mission: In Hawaii, the health and resilience of the environment is inextricably linked to community wellbeing and the islands' uniqueness as a place. The foundation invests in efforts to educate and engage communities in activities that promote stewardship of natural resources, and supports programs critical to the development of vulnerable youth from their earliest years into young adulthood.
Primary funding areas include:
- Children and youth development
- Early childhood education
- Youth development
- Environmental stewardship and community-based environmental programs
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Human services
- Economically disadvantaged populations
Grantmaking
The foundation made 56 grants in its most recent reporting year. Recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Hawaii, with grants distributed across all islands:
- Statewide initiatives
- Kauai
- Oahu
- Molokai
- Maui
- Lanai
- Hawaii (Big Island)
The foundation also supports work in California and Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $137,474,179 (as of 2024)
Annual Giving: $7,221,302 in revenue (2024); $8,622,675 in expenses (2024)
2025 Giving: $1 million distributed to organizations across Hawaii
The foundation reported total grants awarded of $5,190,270 in its most recent filing.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $159,392,572 | $138,880,473 | $124,369,019 |
| Revenue | $29,796,833 | $22,642,255 | $1,072,404 |
| Expenses | $7,878,440 | $8,135,722 | $8,103,252 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,533,621 | $6,615,154 | $6,740,135 |
| Net Investment Income | $14,691,944 | $916,580 | $1,242,658 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,519,849 | $6,976,559 | $6,917,495 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Kosasa Foundation
Culture & Arts: Creative Capacity Grants Program
KOSASA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Kosasa Foundation Community-Based Environmental Stewardship Grant
KOSASA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Kosasa Foundation Creative Capacity Grant
KOSASA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hawaiian Community Assets ($500,000), Hawaiian Islands Land Trust ($250,000), Feed the Hunger Fund ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 808 CLEANUPS HONOLULU, HI | COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP OF CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION SITES | $50,000 |
| ADULT FRIENDS FOR YOUTH HONOLULU, HI | PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR AT-RISK YOUTH IN URBAN HONOLULU | $100,000 |
| ALOHA HARVEST HONOLULU, HI | SUPPORT OPERATIONS FOR FOOD COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION | $20,000 |
| ALOHA INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL KAILUA, HI | SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL PIANO COMPETITION AND MUSIC EDUCATION | $5,000 |
| BIG ISLAND RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HILO, HI | PLANT PONO LANDSCAPING EDUCATION PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| BISHOP MUSEUM HONOLULU, HI | INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY OF MUSEUM'S COLLECTION TO BROADER ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD | $100,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MAUI KAHULUI, HI | PROGRAMMING FOR AT-RISK YOUTH | $100,000 |
| BOYS TO MEN MENTORING NETWORK KAMUELA, HI | MENTORING PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE- AND HIGH SCHOOL BOYS | $10,000 |
| CHAMBER MUSIC HAWAII HONOLULU, HI | SUPPORT FOR 2025 SEASON | $20,000 |
| CORAL REEF ALLIANCE SAN FRANCISCO, CA | DEVELOP WATER QUALITY DATA TO DRIVE CORAL PROTECTION ACTIONS | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Paul Kosasa, President and Treasurer
- Lisa Gainsley, Vice President
- Gloria Gainsley, Secretary
- Christian Gainsley, Board Member
- Jonathan Gainsley, Board Member
- Ian Kosasa, Board Member
- Susan Kosasa, Board Member
- Tom Kosasa, Board Member
Staff:
- Christine van Bergeijk, Chief Executive Officer
- Bob Agres, Program Officer
- Lisa Rodrigues, Director of Administration
- Lindsay Kosasa, Program Associate
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLORIA GAINSLEY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| PAUL J KOSASA | PRES/TREAS/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| SUSAN M KOSASA | VP/SEC/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| THOMAS S KOSASA | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CHRISTINE VAN BERGEIJK | CEO | 40 | $199,519 |
| LINDSAY KOSASA | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| IAN KOSASA | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| LISA GAINSLEY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CHRISTIAN GAINSLEY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| RIKI MORIMOTO | INDEPENDENT APPOINTER | — | — |
| TRACY IDE | INDEPENDENT APPOINTER | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Kosasa Foundation launched a new grant program for arts and culture nonprofits in 2025, setting aside $1 million for local culture and arts organizations. The foundation also operates active grant opportunities including:
Kosasa Foundation launches new grant program for arts and culture nonprofitsKosasa Foundation Opportunity Youth Grant
Kosasa Foundation launches new grant program for arts and culture nonprofitsCulture & Arts: Creative Capacity Grants Program
Kosasa Foundation launches new grant program for arts and culture nonprofitsCommunity-Based Environmental Stewardship Grant
Contact Information
Address: 3610 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
Phone: (808) 509-8532 or (808) 509-8800
Website: www.kosasafoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kosasa Foundation fund?
**Vision:** The Kosasa Foundation is committed to nurturing a sustainable natural environment where communities can thrive, and where younger generations have the support needed to preserve Hawaii's legacy while building a brighter future. **Mission:** In Hawaii, the health and resilience of the environment is inextricably linked to community wellbeing and the islands' uniqueness as a place. The foundation invests in efforts to educate and engage communities in activities that promote stewardsh…
How do I apply for a grant from Kosasa Foundation?
The foundation made 56 grants in its most recent reporting year. Recent grants include: • Hale Makua Health Services: $1,000,000 (Capital Campaign for New Long Term Care Facility) • Family Life Center: $1,000,000 (Construction of Interim Housing for Wildfire Victims) • Kuakini Medical Center: $500,000 (General Operating Support - 5 Year Commitment) Typical grant awards range from $3,000 to $1,000,000. The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving f…
Where does Kosasa Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Hawaii, with grants distributed across all islands: • Statewide initiatives • Kauai • Oahu • Molokai • Maui • Lanai • Hawaii (Big Island) The foundation also supports work in California and Minnesota.
What size grants does Kosasa Foundation award?
In 2024, Kosasa Foundation awarded 84 grants totaling $5.2M — an average of about $62K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Kosasa Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Kosasa Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Kosasa Foundation's EIN?
Kosasa Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-0313279. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kosasa 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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