The Michael J Marks Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on higher education in Hawaii, directing all recorded grants to the University of Hawaii system for general contribution/support. Its giving appears locally focused and institutionally targeted rather than spread across many causes or organizations. The foundation seems to prefer sizable, singular investments in a trusted local university partner.
Highly concentrated: only two grants totaling $127,500, both to a single grantee (University of Hawaii Foundation), indicating repeat, targeted support to one institutional partner rather than many small or diverse recipients.
The Michael J Marks Foundation’s recorded giving is anchored in Hawaii higher education, with its largest recent gift going to the University of Hawaii Foundation for contribution/support. That university relationship appears central to the foundation’s grantmaking, and the same institutional pattern also shows up in earlier support to the University of Hawaii Foundation in 2023. Beyond that core commitment, the foundation has also made grants to a small set of Honolulu and Maui organizations, including Ballet Hawaii, Hugs, and Maui Food Bank, all described as contribution/support. The overall pattern points to a locally focused funder that uses direct grants rather than individuals, program-related investments, or broad national dispersal. Its grants are concentrated in a single state and usually land at organizations with clear public-serving roles, from education and arts to food access and family services. The foundation’s recorded portfolio is not spread thin across many states or countries; instead, it stays within Hawaii and relies on a small number of recurring institutional and community partners.
Higher education is the clearest throughline in the Michael J Marks Foundation’s grant history. In 2025, it gave $90,000 to the University of Hawaii Foundation for contribution/support, following a $37,500 grant to the same recipient in 2023. The arts also appear in the record: Ballet Hawaii received $25,000 in 2024 and another $10,000 in 2025. Community health and basic needs organizations are also part of the mix. Hawaii Foodbank Inc received $10,000 in 2024 and $10,000 in 2025, while Maui Food Bank received $12,500 in both 2024 and 2025. The foundation has also supported organizations such as Hawaii Literacy Inc, Residential Youth Services and Empowerment, and Palama Settlement, each with a 2025 grant of $10,000.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $3,000, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $5,000. The recent record shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including the University of Hawaii Foundation, Hugs, Maui Food Bank, Hawaii Foodbank Inc, and Kapiolani Health Foundation. That repetition suggests a recurring relationship model rather than purely one-time awards. The foundation appears to use straightforward contribution/support grants, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its giving is local and highly concentrated in Hawaii.
$669K
$5.4M
$685K
$384K
Most grants fall between $3K and $5K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$5K
About 91% of grants go to recipients in HI.
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Notable grantees: University of Hawaii Foundation
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly in Hawaii: 91% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state, and the broader recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Honolulu is the main city in the record, with grants also reaching Wailuku, Kailua, Waianae, Makawao, and Tavernier, Florida. The Hawaii pattern is consistent across the recent grants list, where most recipients are Honolulu organizations and several others are on Oahu or Maui.
Its recent grants cluster at small to mid-sized levels: the 25th percentile is $3,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is also $5,000. That means many awards are $5,000 or near that level, with a smaller number of larger gifts above it.
Yes. The recent record includes repeat grants to several recipients across different years, including the University of Hawaii Foundation, Hugs, Maui Food Bank, Hawaii Foodbank Inc, and Kapiolani Health Foundation. That indicates recurring relationships are part of its giving pattern.
The foundation gives contribution/support grants to a mix of higher education, arts, food access, literacy, youth services, family services, health, and community organizations. Named recipients include the University of Hawaii Foundation, Ballet Hawaii, Hawaii Literacy Inc, Residential Youth Services and Empowerment, and Palama Settlement.
Its giving is highly concentrated in Hawaii. The top state by grant count is HI, and 91% of grants go to recipients in that state. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii Foundation | Honolulu, HI | $90,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| HUGS | Honolulu, HI | $12,500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Maui Food Bank | Wailuku, HI | $12,500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Punahou O Waianae | Honolulu, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Palama Settlement | Honolulu, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Ballet Hawaii | Honolulu, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Hawaii Foodbank Inc | Honolulu, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Aloha Harvest | Honolulu, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Hawaii Literacy Inc | Honolulu, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Residential Youth Services and Empowerment | Kailua, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Manoa Valley Theatre | Honolulu, HI | $6,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Friends of Lyon Arboretum | Honolulu, HI | $6,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Hungry Heros Hawaii | Makawao, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| The Institute of Human Services | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Mediation Center of the Pacific | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Family Programs Hawaii | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Kalihi Palama Health Center | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| The Lawakua Charitable Fund | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Hale Kipa Inc | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Hale Mahaolu | Pearl City, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Burton Memorial UMC | Tavernier, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Malama Maunalua | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Waikiki Community Center | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Keys Jewish Community Center | Tavernier, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Hookuaina | Kailua, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Waimanalo Community Center | Kailua, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Sprye | Rye, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Project Vision Hawaii | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Family Promise Hawaii | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Kapiolani Health Foundation | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Kokua Kalihi Valley | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Helping Hands | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| ACLU Hawaii | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center | Waianae, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| The Pantry | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Hawaii Conservation Alliance Foundation | Honolulu, HI | $3,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Hui Aloha 808 | Kaneohe, HI | $3,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Never Quit Dreaming | Honolulu, HI | $3,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| St Louis School | Honolulu, HI | $3,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Friends of Honolulu Botanical | Honolulu, HI | $3,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Smart Trees Pacific | Kailua, HI | $3,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Ballet Hawaii | Honolulu, HI | $25,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| HUGS | Honolulu, HI | $12,500 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Maui Food Bank | Wailuku, HI | $12,500 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Hawaii Foodbank Inc | Honolulu, HI | $10,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center | Waianae, HI | $7,500 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Aloha Med Mission | Honolulu, HI | $7,500 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| Hale Kipa Inc | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
| The Pantry | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT |
University of Hawaii Foundation
$90,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
HUGS
$12,500CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Maui Food Bank
$12,500CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Punahou O Waianae
$10,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Palama Settlement
$10,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Ballet Hawaii
$10,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Hawaii Foodbank Inc
CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Aloha Harvest
$10,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Hawaii Literacy Inc
$10,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Residential Youth Services and Empowerment
$10,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Manoa Valley Theatre
$6,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Friends of Lyon Arboretum
$6,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Hungry Heros Hawaii
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
The Institute of Human Services
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Mediation Center of the Pacific
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Family Programs Hawaii
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Kalihi Palama Health Center
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
The Lawakua Charitable Fund
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Hale Kipa Inc
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Hale Mahaolu
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Burton Memorial UMC
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Malama Maunalua
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Waikiki Community Center
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Keys Jewish Community Center
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Hookuaina
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Waimanalo Community Center
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Sprye
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Project Vision Hawaii
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Family Promise Hawaii
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Kapiolani Health Foundation
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Kokua Kalihi Valley
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Helping Hands
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
ACLU Hawaii
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
The Pantry
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Hawaii Conservation Alliance Foundation
$3,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Hui Aloha 808
$3,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Never Quit Dreaming
$3,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
St Louis School
$3,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Friends of Honolulu Botanical
$3,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Smart Trees Pacific
$3,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Ballet Hawaii
$25,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
HUGS
$12,500CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Maui Food Bank
$12,500CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Hawaii Foodbank Inc
$10,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
$7,500CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Aloha Med Mission
$7,500CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
Hale Kipa Inc
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT
The Pantry
$5,000CONTRIBUTION/SUPPORT