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
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
No grants recorded for .
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.
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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