The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation
The Laurence H. Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation is a private foundation based in St. Paul, Minnesota, created in 2013 from the estate of Laurence H. Dorcy. It makes grants to organizations in Hawaii whose charitable purposes align with priorities set by its board.
The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation at a glance
In short: The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation gave $1.2M across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $32K), mostly in Hawaii. 43% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,168,523
- +20.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- +2.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $31,582
- +17.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $17,023,149
- +0.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (16 of 37, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It has no specific application form and prefers a succinct three-to-five-page letter describing the organization and request. The submission should cover the request amount, need being addressed, how the organization addresses it, the clientele and number of people served, geographic area covered, and how the grant would make a difference. First-time applicants are encouraged to introduce their organization to the foundation’s administrator and discuss priorities and the application process.
- Review Cycle
- Applications must be received by February 16 each year. The foundation’s website says that in 2026 it will conduct two grantmaking rounds, in spring and fall.
- Deadline
- Applications must be received by February 16 each year.
- Contact
Application contact: Tamra Davis Cownie
Mailing address: 81 Seventh Street East Suite 125, St Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (651) 440-5068
Website: https://dorcyfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hawaii Food Bank ($325K). Together the top 10 received $694K.
Grant Size Distribution
149 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 132 grants of 149 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it supports organizations in Hawaii. In 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Hawaii and 3% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 16 of 37 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $36K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 46% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+15%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 88% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $970K (2024) to $2.0M (2020). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Food Bank Honolulu, HI | New Food Bank | $325,000 |
| Kupu Honolulu, HI | Hookupu Center | $100,000 |
| Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings Kailua, HI | General Operating | $50,000 |
| Council for Native Hawaiian Kapolei, HI | General Operating | $50,000 |
| American Cancer Society Honolulu, HI | Hope Lodge | $43,923 |
| Hawaii Insitute for Music Enrichment Kailua, HI | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Pacific Cancer Foundation Wailuku, HI | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Women Helping Women Wailuku, HI | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Assistance Dogs of Hawaii Makawao, HI | Sadie's Place Renovations | $25,000 |
| Hugs for Hawaii's Seriously Ill -- Honolulu, HI | General Operating | $25,000 |
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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 | $17,023,149 | $1,490,971 | $1,451,344 | $1,168,523 | 37 | $1,321,766 | $1,366,152 | $1,504,053 |
| 2024 | $17,002,767 | $746,245 | $1,178,922 | $970,000 | 36 | $1,076,459 | $656,609 | $1,345,531 |
| 2023 | $17,437,186 | $1,428,357 | $1,446,905 | $1,176,723 | 32 | $1,312,614 | $1,339,755 | $1,277,952 |
| 2022 | $17,462,410 | $2,900,143 | $1,186,255 | $1,018,000 | 24 | $1,080,589 | $2,798,610 | $1,435,277 |
| 2021 | $16,057,432 | $471,997 | $1,323,963 | $1,164,500 | 20 | — | $381,136 | $1,305,866 |
| 2020 | $16,623,687 | $734,610 | $2,090,898 | $1,965,000 | 21 | — | $646,395 | $1,197,907 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its current focus as helping families and individuals with critical needs. Its priorities include food programs—particularly those addressing systemic issues and community-based food systems—health care access, with a preference for programs incorporating nutritious food, and holistic wraparound services for vulnerable youth and families. Its website states that 2026 grantmaking will provide general operating support for organizations working on critical needs in food, health care, and holistic supports.
The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. KUPU says it trains young adults for emerging green-sector jobs while engaging them in community service. Women Helping Women describes its work as ending domestic violence through advocacy, education, and prevention, and providing safety and support to women and children. Pacific Cancer Foundation says it provides free support services to people affected by cancer in Maui County.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 37 grants totaling $1,168,523. Grant amounts ranged from $700 to $325,000, with a median of $25,000. Notable grants included $325,000 to Hawaii Food Bank for a new food bank, $100,000 to KUPU for the Hookupu Center, and $50,000 each to Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings and Council for Native Hawaiian for general operating support. Other reported grants included $43,923 to American Cancer Society for Hope Lodge and $25,000 each to Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment, Pacific Cancer Foundation, and Women Helping Women for general operating support.
The foundation’s website says general operating grants are generally in the range of $25,000–$75,000, at the board’s discretion. These grants are intended for a 12-month period; the foundation does not make multi-year commitments. Applicants should explain how the requested amount relates to their organization’s budget. Successful applicants are asked to submit a brief report before seeking additional support or by the end of the grant year.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists William F. Ferguson Jr. as president, Jeffrey T. Peterson as treasurer, David G. Barrett as secretary/director, and Isaac D. Hall and Kelvin Taketa as directors. The foundation’s website identifies Tammy Davis Cownie as its administrator.
The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation is led by William F. Ferguson Jr., President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William F. Ferguson Jr.
President
Director → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David G. Barrett
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isaac D. Hall Esq.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelvin Taketa
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey T. Peterson
Treasurer
President & Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Kila De Mello (2020–2024) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation
How much does The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation give each year?
The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation gave $1.2M across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $970K across 36 grants.
What is The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation's typical grant size?
The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $31,582, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation that year got $26K on average.
Where does The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation give grants?
The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation gives mostly in Hawaii: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Honolulu, HI (12 grants), Wailuku, HI (6 grants), Makawao, HI (3 grants) and Kailua, HI (2 grants).
Does The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 84% of The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (31 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation's largest grantees?
The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Hawaii Food Bank ($325,000), Kupu ($100,000) and Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation?
The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation reported $17.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (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 The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its current focus as helping families and individuals with critical needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation's EIN?
The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-2117762. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 3, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 11, 2023)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-laurence-h-dorcy-hawaiian-foundation-morg_6036c3df0d15478ab3e93eb74120053c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_462117762_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-laurence-h-dorcy-hawaiian-foundation-morg_6036c3df0d15478ab3e93eb74120053c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-25. 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 The Laurence H Dorcy Hawaiian 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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