The Leburta Atherton Foundation concentrates its giving in large, unrestricted gifts to a small number of institutional recipients, with a strong emphasis on education and community infrastructure. Major support is split between elite K–12 and university education and place-based community projects, while a smaller portion goes to regional disaster relief. Grants are sizable and targeted rather than broadly distributed, and a few repeat grantees receive the bulk of funding.
A defining pattern in Leburta Atherton Foundation grantmaking is the concentration of large, unrestricted gifts to a small set of institutional recipients. The biggest recent award in the file was a $720,000 unrestricted gift to the University of Colorado Foundation, followed by a $501,000 unrestricted gift to Punahou School. Those grants point to a funder that backs major education institutions rather than spreading support widely across many smaller awards. The foundation also shows a strong preference for place-based projects. In Colorado, it supported the Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation for the Possibilities Playground, while in Hawaii it funded the American Red Cross of Hawaii for general support and the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. Recent grants also include support for The Nature Conservancy’s work tied to Palmyra, Bokikokiko, and the Guam kingfisher, along with funding for rehabilitation equipment at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific. Across the record, the mix is selective and institution-focused, with repeat support appearing for some grantees over multiple years. The overall picture is of a regional foundation making targeted gifts to education, community infrastructure, conservation, and disaster response organizations.
Education is a central theme. The foundation gave $500,000 to Punahou School for the Academy Learning Commons project and another $75,000 to Hawaii Preparatory Academy for Gates Performing Arts Center gutter and downspout repair and replacement. It also awarded $50,000 to Book Trust for programs in Hawaii, showing support for education programs beyond campus-based capital work. Community spaces and youth access are another clear thread. Grants include $300,000 to the Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation for the Possibilities Playground, $50,000 to Precious Lamb Preschool Inc for a remodeling project to expand preschool and add a playground, and $30,000 to Long Beach Public Library Foundation for adaptive technology to benefit those with disabilities. The foundation also funds environmental and health-related work. It gave $100,000 to The Nature Conservancy for the Palmyra-Bokikokiko and Guam kingfisher project, $50,000 to Island Conservation for protecting biodiversity, and $50,000 to Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific for rebuilding lives through nursing and therapy equipment.
$2M
$8.8M
$470K
$2.1M
Most grants fall between $26K and $75K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$26K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$75K
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Concentrated giving: few, large grants (multiple six‑ and seven‑figure gifts) with repeat institutional grantees and targeted, place-based project support rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: Punahou School, University of Colorado Foundation, Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation, American Red Cross of Hawaii, American Red Cross - Los Angeles
Typical grants cluster around a mid-six-figure to five-figure range: p25 is $26,250, median is $50,000, and p75 is $75,000. The recent record includes both large institutional gifts and smaller targeted awards, which suggests a layered strategy of major anchor support plus project-level funding. Repeat recipients are visible across years. Punahou School, University of Colorado Foundation, Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation, American Red Cross of Hawaii, Island Conservation, and Friends of the Future all appear more than once in the recent grants list. The foundation is a private foundation; it does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
Grants are regional and stay within the United States. Hawaii receives a large share of support, including awards in Honolulu, Kamuela, Kailua Kona, and other in-state locations, while California is the top state by grant count. Colorado is also a recurring recipient state, with grants in Aurora, Castle Rock, and Durango. Named recipient cities in the recent record include Honolulu, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Cruz, Aurora, Castle Rock, Durango, Kamuela, Kailua Kona, and Hollywood.
The recent record shows a focus on education institutions, community infrastructure, conservation, and disaster relief. Examples include support for Punahou School, the University of Colorado Foundation, Castle Rock parks and trails work, The Nature Conservancy, and the American Red Cross.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Punahou School, University of Colorado Foundation, Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation, American Red Cross of Hawaii, Island Conservation, and Friends of the Future.
The grant-size distribution centers on mid-five-figure awards. The p25 grant size is $26,250, the median is $50,000, and the p75 is $75,000. The recent file also includes larger gifts such as $720,000 and $501,000.
California is the top state by grant count. Hawaii also receives substantial support, with 50% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recent recipient cities include Honolulu, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Cruz, Aurora, Castle Rock, and Durango.
The foundation gives both unrestricted and project-specific support. Recent examples include unrestricted gifts to the University of Colorado Foundation and Punahou School, capital support for the Academy Learning Commons and Possibilities Playground, and targeted support for biodiversity, rehabilitation equipment, and adaptive technology.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION | AURORA, CO | $930,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| HAWAII PREPARATORY ACADEMY | KAMUELA, HI | $250,000 | 2026 | GATES PERFORMING ARTS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE WITH CALIFORNIA |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF HAWAII | HONOLULU, HI | $150,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FORT LEWIS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | DURANGO, CO | $60,000 | 2026 | SOCCER PROGRAMS |
| SHRINERS CHILDRENS HOSPITAL HAWAII | HONOLULU, HI | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | HONOLULU, HI | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| YMCA OF GREATER LONG BEACH | LONG BEACH, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| LYMAN HOUSE MEMORIAL MUSEUM | HILO, HI | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| LONG BEACH STATE FOUNDATION | LONG BEACH, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO | HONOLULU, HI | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | LONG BEACH, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| PARKER SCHOOL | KAMUELA, HI | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| FOOD FINDERS INC | LOS ALAMITOS, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| FRIENDS OF THE FUTURE | KAMUELA, HI | $20,000 | 2026 | TUTU'S HOUSE PROGRAM |
| MAUI FOOD BANK | WAILUKU, HI | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| HAWAII FOODBANK | HONOLULU, HI | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| FEEDING HAWAII TOGETHER | HONOLULU, HI | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| THE FOOD BASKET INC | HILO, HI | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND | BURLINGTON, VT | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION | AURORA, CO | $720,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| HAWAII PREPARATORY ACADEMY | KAMUELA, HI | $300,000 | 2025 | GATES PERFORMING ARTS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $175,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE WITH CALIFORNIA |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF HAWAII | HONOLULU, HI | $175,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARKER SCHOOL | Kamuela, HI | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| FORT LEWIS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | DURANGO, CO | $60,000 | 2025 | SOCCER PROGRAMS |
| DANIEL L SAYRE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | Kailua Kona, HI | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| ISLAND CONSERVATION | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY |
| SAINT JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH | Kamuela, HI | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| RANCHO LOS CERRITOS FOUNDATION | Long Beach, CA | $45,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO | HONOLULU, HI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OUTDOOR CIRCLE | PAHOA, HI | $12,000 | 2025 | PAVING PROJECT AT WAIMEA |
| WORLD WILDLIFE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2025 | PROJECTS IN KENYA OR EAST |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION | AURORA, CO | $720,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| PUNAHOU SCHOOL | HONOLULU, HI | $501,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| CASTLE ROCK PARKS & TRAILS FOUNDATION | CASTLE ROCK, CO | $200,000 | 2024 | POSSIBILITIES PLAYGROUND |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF HAWAII | HONOLULU, HI | $175,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $175,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE WITH CALIFORNIA |
| FORT LEWIS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | DURANGO, CO | $60,000 | 2024 | SOCCER PROGRAMS |
| FRIENDS OF THE FUTURE | KAMUELA, HI | $50,000 | 2024 | TUTU'S HOUSE PROGRAM |
| HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HONOLULU, HI | $50,000 | 2024 | MAUI STRONG FUND |
| ISLAND CONSERVATION | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY |
| AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC | LONG BEACH, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | AFRICAN AMERICAN SCHOLARS |
| HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO | HONOLULU, HI | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OUTDOOR CIRCLE | PAHOA, HI | $10,000 | 2024 | PAVING PROJECT AT WAIMEA |
| ROUNDUP RIVER RANCH | AVON, CO | $1,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| BISHOP MUSEUM | HONOLULU, HI | $1,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT |
| PUNAHOU SCHOOL | HONOLULU, HI | $500,000 | 2023 | FOR THE ACADEMY LEARNING COMMONS PROJECT |
| CASTLE ROCK PARKS AND TRAILS FOUNDATION | CASTLE ROCK, CO | $300,000 | 2023 | FOR THE POSSIBILITIES PLAYGROUND |
AMERICAN RED CROSS - LOS ANGELES
$150,000ASSISTANCE WITH CALIFORNIA
AMERICAN RED CROSS OF HAWAII
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SHRINERS CHILDRENS HOSPITAL HAWAII
UNRESTRICTED GIFT
HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF THE FUTURE
$20,000TUTU'S HOUSE PROGRAM
FEEDING HAWAII TOGETHER
$15,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT
AMERICAN RED CROSS - LOS ANGELES
$175,000ASSISTANCE WITH CALIFORNIA
AMERICAN RED CROSS OF HAWAII
$175,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DANIEL L SAYRE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT
SAINT JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT
HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OUTDOOR CIRCLE
$12,000PAVING PROJECT AT WAIMEA
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION
$720,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT
PUNAHOU SCHOOL
$501,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT
CASTLE ROCK PARKS & TRAILS FOUNDATION
$200,000POSSIBILITIES PLAYGROUND
AMERICAN RED CROSS - LOS ANGELES
$175,000ASSISTANCE WITH CALIFORNIA
FRIENDS OF THE FUTURE
$50,000TUTU'S HOUSE PROGRAM
HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OUTDOOR CIRCLE
$10,000PAVING PROJECT AT WAIMEA
PUNAHOU SCHOOL
$500,000FOR THE ACADEMY LEARNING COMMONS PROJECT
CASTLE ROCK PARKS AND TRAILS FOUNDATION
$300,000FOR THE POSSIBILITIES PLAYGROUND