The People's Fund
The People's Fund, also known as Hawaiʻi People’s Fund, is a Honolulu, Hawaiʻi public charity that supports, funds, and amplifies Hawaiʻi-based grassroots organizations challenging systems of oppression. The organization says it has supported grassroots social change movements in Hawaiʻi since 1972.
The People's Fund at a glance
In short: The People's Fund gave $960K across 47 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Hawaii. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $960,267
- -21.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 47
- -14.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,431
- -7.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,792
- Total assets
- $8,890,670
- -1.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (13 of 47, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (93% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The People's Fund
- How to Apply
-
The website describes an application for Urgent Action Grants and says applicants should review the funding guidelines and eligibility criteria. Applications require an organizational budget and, when applying for a specific project, a project budget, with narratives for both. The listed Spring 2024 cycle is closed; the page said notifications would be made on May 29, 2024.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 4163, Honolulu, HI 96812
Phone: (808) 539-9969
Website: https://hawaiipeoplesfund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The People's Fund
Who The People's Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Maui Grassroots Collective ($70K). Together the top 10 received $365K.
Grant Size Distribution
196 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 189 grants of 196 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s stated mission and grantmaking description center on Hawaiʻi. In 2025, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in Hawaiʻi, with 3% each to California and New York and 2% to Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 47 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The People's Fund open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 47 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $16K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $391K (2021) to $1.2M (2024). In 2025 it made 47 grants totaling $960K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maui Grassroots Collective Kahului, HI | Program Support | $70,020 |
| Various Grantees 5000 Honolulu, HI | Program Support | $64,014 |
| Pacific American Foundation Kaneohe, HI | Program Support | $60,943 |
| Holani Hana Hana, HI | Program Support | $40,000 |
| Lahaina Community Land Trust Lahaina, HI | Program Support | $40,000 |
| Hui O Kuapa Honolulu, HI | Program Support | $35,752 |
| Ko'ihonua Pearl City, HI | Program Support | $35,108 |
| Hawaii Peace & Justice Honolulu, HI | Program Support | $21,282 |
| Hawaii Women in Filmmaking Honolulu, HI | Program Support | $20,780 |
| Malama Makua Waianae, HI | Program Support | $20,722 |
Ready to take the next step with The People's Fund?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing reports the following financials by year:
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $8,890,670 | $1,204,050 | $1,460,708 | $960,267 | 47 | $89,474 |
| 2024 | $8,999,742 | $7,275,703 | $1,743,688 | $1,215,038 | 55 | $74,551 |
| 2023 | $3,366,860 | $1,350,394 | $856,661 | $517,155 | 31 | $32,507 |
| 2022 | $2,723,640 | $1,317,256 | $742,682 | $508,614 | 39 | $29,678 |
| 2021 | $2,324,248 | $594,427 | $592,389 | $390,610 | 24 | $7,498 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to support, fund, and amplify Hawaiʻi-based grassroots organizations challenging systems of oppression. Its filing describes grantmaking for grassroots, community-led organizing across issue areas, through annual grants and urgent-action programs. The website says its work includes supporting direct action to reduce harm from systemic failures and organizing to build power for Indigenous and marginalized communities.
Examples of grantees’ own stated missions illustrate the range of work represented in its grants. Maui Grassroots Collective says it supports care and protection of Maui’s community, natural ecosystems, and people, centering vulnerable community members. Koʻihonua says it works to transform the lives and conditions of Native Hawaiians through land restoration, cultural practices, and investment in Hawaiʻi-based social justice movements. Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking says it educates Hawaiʻi women and girls to tell impactful stories through film.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the fund reported 47 grants totaling $960,267. Grants ranged from $5,425 to $70,020, with a median of $15,792. The filing lists program support as the purpose for the largest grants.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $70,020 to Maui Grassroots Collective, $64,014 to Various Grantees 5000, $60,943 to Pacific American Foundation, $40,000 each to Holani Hana and Lahaina Community Land Trust, and $35,752 to Hui O Kuapa. Other listed recipients included Koʻihonua ($35,108), Hawaiʻi Peace & Justice ($21,282), Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking ($20,780), Mālama Mākua ($20,722), Kahaluu Kuahewa ($20,376), and Grants Central Station ($20,305).
The website describes a grantmaking committee that deliberates on proposals, with the board making final approval decisions. It says staff communicate with awarded grantees and provide technical assistance during the grant period; grantees submit a final report and a high-level financial summary of grant-funded expenditures.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Natalie DeBiasi as president, Jonathan Fisk as treasurer, and Ashley Galacgac as secretary. It lists James Maunakea Secritario, Hina Kaopua-Canonigo, Mary Tam, Nicole Cristobal, Sage Kealohi Quiamno, and Mea Aloha Spady as directors. Lesley Micky Huihui is also listed, with the title appearing as “Executive DI” in the filing.
The People's Fund is led by Natalie Debiasi, President since 2025 (on filings since 2024); 4 of 10 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Natalie Debiasi
President
President Fr → President, 2025
On filings since 2024
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Cristobal
Director
Director Fr → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
$100 (2022) → $100 (2025)
Sage Kealohi Quiamno
Director Unt
Director Fro → Director, 2023
Director → Director Unt, 2025
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Maunakea Secritario
Director
Director Sin → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hina Kaopua-Canonigo
Director
Director Sin → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mea Aloha Spady
Director Unt
Director Sin → Director Unt, 2025
On filings since 2024
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Tam
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Fisk
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
$100 (2024) → $100 (2025)
Lesley Micky Huihui
Executive Di
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$66K (2021) → $107K (2025)
Ashley Galacgac
Secretary
Director Fro → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
$100 (2022) → $100 (2025)
Former officers (9)
- Former: Matthew Ing (2021–2024) — President to
- Former: Jeff Gilbreath (2021–2023) — Director Unt
- Former: Justin Jansen (2021–2023) — Director Unt
- Former: Naomi Yoshida (2021–2023) — Secretary Un
- Former: Rachel James (2021–2022) — Vice President to
- Former: Dawn Mahi (2021) — President to
- Former: Elizabeth Fujii (2021) — Director to
- Former: Kahunawaikaala Wright (2021) — Director to
- Former: Marissa Ing (2021) — Director to
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $107K, to Lesley Micky Huihui (Executive Di). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The People's Fund
How much does The People's Fund give each year?
The People's Fund gave $960K across 47 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 55 grants.
What is The People's Fund's typical grant size?
The People's Fund's median grant in 2025 was $15,792, and its average grant was $20,431, across 47 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The People's Fund that year got $17K on average.
Where does The People's Fund give grants?
The People's Fund gives mostly in Hawaii: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Honolulu, HI (11 grants), Kahului, HI (2 grants), Kaneohe, HI (2 grants) and Lahaina, HI (2 grants).
Does The People's Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 47 grants with a stated purpose on The People's Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (47 grants).
Who are The People's Fund's largest grantees?
The People's Fund's largest 2025 grantees include Maui Grassroots Collective ($70,020), Pacific American Foundation ($60,943) and Holani Hana ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The People's Fund?
The People's Fund reported $8.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What does The People's Fund fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to support, fund, and amplify Hawaiʻi-based grassroots organizations challenging systems of oppression. Its filing describes grantmaking for grassroots, community-led organizing across issue areas, through annual grants and urgent-action programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The People's Fund?
The website describes an application for Urgent Action Grants and says applicants should review the funding guidelines and eligibility criteria. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The People's Fund's EIN?
The People's Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7250803. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 25, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The People's Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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More similar funders
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The People's Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-people-s-fund-morg_bbf9e7994f014b089aec28ab1944e3bc
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237250803_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The People's Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-people-s-fund-morg_bbf9e7994f014b089aec28ab1944e3bc},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. 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 People's Fund'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.
The People's Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?