The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation
The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Honolulu, Hawaii, established in 1967 by businessman, developer, and philanthropist Clarence T.C. Ching. Operating as a charitable, private 501(c)(3) organization, the Foundation makes grants to nonprofits across multiple sectors and maintains a vision of helping people in need throughout Hawaii.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$131.8M
+6.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.4M
-7.0% YoY
Grant Count
63
+70.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$86K
-45.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to fulfill Clarence T.C. Ching's vision of helping people in need. The organization makes grants to nonprofits supporting six primary focus areas:
- Arts, Culture & Innovation
- Children, Youth, Kupuna & Families
- Education & Workforce Development
- Healthcare
- Housing
- Sustainability
Grantmaking
The Foundation accepts grant applications twice annually on the following schedule:
Grant Range
$664
Average Grant
$664
Review Cycle
** (4 pm) for consideration at March meeting:
Grant Types
How to Apply
The Foundation accepts grant applications twice annually on the following schedule:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation exclusively funds organizations that serve the people of Hawaii. Geographic service areas include Honolulu, Kahului, Waianae, and other Hawaii communities. The Foundation also supports activities in Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $123.4 million
- Annual Expenses: Approximately $5 million
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $3.4 million
- Total Awarded (Previous Year): $5.8 million
- Total Grants (Previous Year): 6,645
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $131,802,399 | $123,361,494 | $115,004,926 |
| Revenue | $6,255,920 | $3,441,453 | $3,151,195 |
| Expenses | $7,079,325 | $5,058,648 | $4,104,923 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,936,733 | $6,346,586 | $6,307,657 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,712,532 | $3,142,979 | $2,884,349 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,216,828 | $5,741,408 | $5,977,353 |
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
182 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Punahou School ($600,000), Rehab Hospital of the Pacific Found ($500,000), American Cancer Society ($350,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCESS SURF HONOLULU, HI | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ADVENTIST HEALTH KAILUA, HI | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT | $250,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION HONOLULU, HI | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HONOLULU, HI | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT | $350,000 |
| ARMED SERVICES YMCA HONOLULU, HI | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BLOOD BANK OF HAWAII HONOLULU, HI | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT | $200,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF HAWAII HONOLULU, HI | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICE EWA BEACH, HI | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| DIAMOND HEAD THEATRE HONOLULU, HI | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT | $100,000 |
| FAMILY PROGRAMS HAWAII HONOLULU, HI | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Trustees:
- John K. Tsui (Chairman)
- Robert T. Fujioka (Vice Chairman and Secretary)
- Raymond J. Tam
- Kenneth T. Okamoto
- Catherine H.Q. Ching
- Elizabeth S. Hokada
Staff:
- Tertia Freas (Executive Director)
- Julie Tam (Executive Assistant)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAYMOND J TAM | TRUSTEE | 8 | $77,000 |
| JOHN K TSUI | TRUSTEE | 8 | $86,000 |
| CATHERINE HQ CHING | TRUSTEE | 8 | $36,000 |
| KENNETH T OKAMOTO | TRUSTEE | 8 | $77,000 |
| ROBERT T FUJIOKA | TRUSTEE | 8 | $77,000 |
| ELIZABETH S HOKADA | TRUSTEE | 8 | $77,000 |
| TERTIA FREAS | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $155,000 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation sponsors the annual "Inspired in Hawaii Acts of Kindness" essay, poster, digital media, and video contest, with the 13th annual contest announced in 2022.
Contest Information | The Clarence T.C. Ching FoundationThe Foundation's facilities and naming legacy are evident across Hawaii institutions, including Clarence TC Ching Hall at Chaminade University of Honolulu, the Straub Ching Heart Center, the University of Hawaii Ching Athletics Complex, the Saint Louis Ching Athletic Center, and Ching Villas at St. Francis Kupuna Village.
Contest Information | The Clarence T.C. Ching FoundationFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mission is to fulfill Clarence T.C. Ching's vision of helping people in need. The organization makes grants to nonprofits supporting six primary focus areas: • **Arts, Culture & Innovation** • **Children, Youth, Kupuna & Families** • **Education & Workforce Development** • **Healthcare** • **Housing** • **Sustainability**
How do I apply for a grant from The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation?
The Foundation accepts grant applications twice annually on the following schedule: **January 31 deadline** (4 pm) for consideration at March meeting: • Arts & Culture • Children, Youth, Kupuna & Families • Education & Workforce Development **July 31 deadline** (4 pm) for consideration at September meeting: • Sustainability • Housing • Healthcare Applications must be submitted online through the Foundation's grant management portal. If deadline dates fall on a weekend, applications must be rece…
Where does The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation make grants?
The Foundation exclusively funds organizations that serve the people of Hawaii. Geographic service areas include Honolulu, Kahului, Waianae, and other Hawaii communities. The Foundation also supports activities in Washington, D.C.
What size grants does The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation award?
In 2024, The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation awarded 63 grants totaling $5.4M — an average of about $86K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation's EIN?
The Clarence Tc Ching Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-6014634. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Clarence Tc Ching 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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