The Hawaii State Bar Foundation (HSBF) strives to provide charitable and philanthropic support to our community by sharing legal expertise and experience. The HSBF promotes justice, expands access to legal services and supports the growth of Hawaii's legal community.
The largest recent grant from Hawaii State Bar Foundation went to the Hawaii State Bar Association for $111,071 in 2024, a signal that the foundation works closely with the state’s legal community as well as with service providers. Across its annual grant program, the foundation supports organizations that improve access to legal services, expand public understanding of the law, and strengthen legal advocacy and related community programs in Hawaii. Hawaii State Bar Foundation is a Public Charity with $196,591 in annual grants given and $225,650 in total assets on file for 2024. Its recent grants show a mix of support for bar association activity, legal aid, mediation, and legal education. Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii received $20,250 in 2023 and $15,000 in 2024, while the foundation also funded the Maui County Bar Association, The Mediation Center of the Pacific, and the William S Richardson School of Law Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic. The pattern points to a funder that backs the delivery of legal services and the institutions that help people navigate the legal system in Hawaii.
The foundation’s grantmaking centers on access to justice and the delivery of legal services. In 2024, it gave $15,000 to Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii and $6,220 to the William S Richardson School of Law Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic, both tied to direct legal support in the community. Mediation is another recurring theme. Big Island Mediation Dba West Hawaii Mediation Center received $9,000 in 2023 and $7,000 in 2024, and Kuikahi Mediation Center Inc received $6,300 in 2023 and $6,000 in 2024. The foundation also funds legal-community infrastructure: Maui County Bar Association Inc received $8,750 in 2024, and The Mediation Center of the Pacific received $7,000 in 2024. These grants align with its stated support for legal services, public understanding of the law, and related initiatives in Hawaii.
Typical awards are in the mid-thousands: the p25 grant size is $6,475, the median is $7,875, and the p75 is $13,500. The recent record includes both repeat and one-time recipients, with Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Big Island Mediation Dba West Hawaii Mediation Center, and Kuikahi Mediation Center Inc each appearing in multiple years. Hawaii State Bar Foundation is a Public Charity, not a fund for individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. Its active annual grant programs accept unsolicited applications.
$155K
$226K
$230K
$180K
Most grants fall between $6K and $14K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$14K
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Grantmaking is local and entirely within Hawaii: 100% of grants went to recipients in the HQ state, and Hawaii is also the top state by grant count. Recent recipients are concentrated in Honolulu, with additional grants in Wailuku, Kamuela, and Hilo. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 10 grants in the United States and none outside it.
It supports organizations and programs that improve the delivery of legal services, facilitate access to justice, increase public understanding of the law in Hawaii communities, and support related legal advocacy and community initiatives. Recent recipients include legal aid, mediation, bar association, and law-school clinic organizations.
Yes. Its active annual grant programs are listed as accepting unsolicited applications, including the HSBF Grant Program, the HSBF Annual Grant Program, and the HSBF Annual Grants programs.
The foundation’s typical awards are in the mid-thousands. The p25 grant size is $6,475, the median is $7,875, and the p75 is $13,500.
Its giving is local and limited to Hawaii. The data show 100% of grants going to recipients in Hawaii, with recent recipients in Honolulu, Wailuku, Kamuela, and Hilo.
No. The foundation’s profile says it funds individuals: False, indicating grants are directed to organizations rather than people.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Current and upcoming funding from Hawaii State Bar Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations and programs focused on improving delivery of legal services to people in need, facilitating access to justice, increasing public understanding of the law in Hawaii communities, or furthering HSBF's mission.
Deadline: Applications open in January each year and close no later than August 31. Awards are disbursed by October 31.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAWAII STATE BAR ASSOCIATION | HONOLULU, HI | $111,071 | 2024 | SEE SCHEDULE O |
| VOLUNTEER LEGAL SERVICES HAWAII | HONOLULU, HI | $15,000 | 2024 | — |
| MAUI COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION INC | WAILUKU, HI | $8,750 | 2024 | — |
| THE MEDIATION CENTER OF THE PACIFIC | HONOLULU, HI | $7,000 | 2024 | — |
| BIG ISLAND MEDIATION | KAMUELA, HI | $7,000 | 2024 | — |
| KUIKAHI MEDIATION CENTER INC | HILO, HI | $6,000 | 2024 | — |
| VOLUNTEER LEGAL SERVICES HAWAII | HONOLULU, HI | $20,250 | 2023 | — |
| BIG ISLAND MEDIATION | KAMUELA, HI | $9,000 | 2023 | — |
| KUIKAHI MEDIATION CENTER INC | HILO, HI | $6,300 | 2023 | — |
| WILLIAM S RICHARDSON SCHOOL OF LAW | HONOLULU, HI | $6,220 | 2023 | — |
HAWAII STATE BAR ASSOCIATION
$111,071SEE SCHEDULE O
MAUI COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION INC
$8,750BIG ISLAND MEDIATION
$7,000KUIKAHI MEDIATION CENTER INC
$6,000BIG ISLAND MEDIATION
$9,000KUIKAHI MEDIATION CENTER INC
$6,300WILLIAM S RICHARDSON SCHOOL OF LAW
$6,220