Coldwell Banker Island Properties Foundation Awards $20,000 Through the 2026 Legacy for Change Grant Program

Strong communities are built by people who step forward to serve others. 

Across Hawaiʻi, nonprofit organizations are restoring our environment, supporting families through times of hardship, mentoring keiki, preserving culture, strengthening public safety, and providing hope when it is needed most. Their work often happens quietly, but its impact is felt throughout our islands every day. 

The Coldwell Banker Island Properties Foundation is proud to support that work through its 2026 Legacy for Change Grant Program, awarding $20,000 statewide to 12 nonprofit organizations nominated by our agents and staff. 

Made possible through the generosity of our Foundation’s Legacy Donors, the Legacy for Change Grant Program invests in organizations that are creating lasting, meaningful change across Hawaiʻi. Each nomination reflected a personal connection: stories shared by our real estate professionals about organizations that have touched the lives of their clients, neighbors, friends, and communities. 

This year’s recipients represent a remarkable cross-section of organizations dedicated to preserving Hawaiʻi’s natural resources, supporting youth and families, responding to natural disasters, improving health outcomes, strengthening veterans, and enriching lives through education and the arts. 

Every nonprofit selected reflects the diverse needs of our island communities and the incredible people working every day to make Hawaiʻi a better place. We invite you to learn more about each organization and consider further supporting their missions through volunteering, advocacy, or charitable giving. 

Kauaʻi 

National Tropical Botanical Garden 

For more than 60 years, the National Tropical Botanical Garden has been a global leader in tropical plant conservation, scientific research, environmental education, and ecosystem restoration. With gardens and preserves across Hawaiʻi, the organization protects some of the world’s rarest plant species while preserving the islands’ rich botanical and cultural heritage. 

Legacy for Change Grant funding will support the Garden’s continued conservation and educational initiatives, helping inspire environmental stewardship while protecting Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems for future generations. 

Learn more: https://ntbg.org 

Hale ʻOpio Kauaʻi 

For more than five decades, Hale ʻOpio Kauaʻi has empowered children, youth, and families through programs focused on mentoring, behavioral health, education, prevention, housing assistance, and family support. Their holistic approach helps young people build confidence, overcome challenges, and create brighter futures while strengthening families across the island. 

The Legacy for Change Grant will help Hale ʻOpio continue providing life-changing programs that equip Kauaʻi’s youth with the resources, guidance, and support they need to thrive. 

Learn more: https://haleopio.org 

JussAdd Pūʻuwai Foundation 

Created in memory of Waileʻa Christian Kerr, the JussAdd Pūʻuwai Foundation is dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and emotional wellness throughout Kauaʻi. Through education, advocacy, and community partnerships, the Foundation works to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health while connecting individuals and families with resources, support, and hope. Their mission honors Waileʻa’s legacy by encouraging compassion, fostering connection, and reminding those facing mental health challenges that they are never alone. 

The Legacy for Change Grant will help expand the Foundation’s outreach and educational efforts, bringing greater awareness and access to mental health resources within the community. 

Learn more: https://www.jussaddpuuwai.com 

Maui 

Makai Foundation

Founded in response to the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires, the Makai Foundation provides direct assistance to individuals, families, and local businesses recovering from the economic hardships that often follow natural disasters. Led by Maui residents, business owners, and community leaders, the organization bridges critical gaps in disaster recovery while supporting long-term community resilience. 

This year’s Legacy for Change Grant will help Makai Foundation continue assisting more than 100 Maui families impacted by the recent Kona low storms, providing critical resources and emergency support as they recover and rebuild. 

Learn more: https://makai.org 

Maui AIDS Foundation 

For more than 40 years, the Maui AIDS Foundation has provided compassionate, no-cost healthcare, HIV prevention, testing, housing assistance, and wraparound support services throughout Maui County. Today, the organization continues to expand access to care while addressing broader community wellness needs and creating a safe, welcoming environment for everyone it serves. 

Legacy for Change Grant funding will strengthen programs that provide testing, treatment, education, and essential support services, ensuring vulnerable members of our community continue receiving the care and resources they deserve. 

Learn more: https://mauiaids.org 

Oʻahu 

Children’s Theatre of Honolulu 

For more than 70 years, Children’s Theatre of Honolulu has inspired Hawaiʻi’s youth through performing arts education and live theatrical productions that foster creativity, confidence, teamwork, and self-expression. Serving nearly 100 young performers in its upcoming production, the organization provides meaningful opportunities for students to develop life skills both on and off the stage. 

This year’s grant will help fund costume materials for the 2026 production of Beauty and the Beast, ensuring every child has the opportunity to participate in a high-quality theatrical experience regardless of financial circumstances. 

Learn more: https://cthawaii.org 

Waipahu Boxing Club 

Waipahu Boxing Club is much more than a gym. It is a safe, structured environment where young people build confidence, discipline, leadership, and resilience through athletics and mentorship. Serving more than 50 youth, the organization provides positive role models and opportunities that help participants succeed both inside and outside the ring. 

Legacy for Change Grant funding will help sustain the program through the purchase of equipment, educational materials, and travel assistance, allowing more young athletes to train safely, compete at the highest levels, and continue benefiting from the mentorship the program provides. 

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/WaipahuBoxingClub/ 

U.S. VETS Hawaiʻi 

U.S. VETS Hawaiʻi is committed to ending veteran homelessness by providing housing, employment assistance, mental health services, case management, and supportive programs that help veterans transition to stable, independent lives. Their work honors those who have served our country by ensuring they receive the care, dignity, and resources they deserve. 

The Legacy for Change Grant will support programs that help veterans build stronger futures while addressing one of Hawaiʻi’s most pressing community challenges. 

Learn more: https://usvets.org 

Hawaiʻi Island 

ʻĀkoʻakoʻa 

ʻĀkoʻakoʻa is leading one of Hawaiʻi’s most innovative coral reef restoration initiatives by combining Native Hawaiian cultural knowledge with cutting-edge science to restore West Hawaiʻi’s reef ecosystems. The organization empowers communities to become active stewards of the ocean while protecting one of the state’s most valuable natural resources. 

Legacy for Change Grant funding will expand community outreach and provide hands-on educational experiences for underserved youth and families, helping inspire the next generation of ocean stewards while strengthening the connection between people and place. 

Learn more: https://akoakoa.org 

Kids Matter 

Kids Matter is dedicated to helping children and families overcome barriers by providing resources, educational opportunities, and programs that foster healthy development and long-term success. Through community partnerships and compassionate support, the organization works to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. 

The Legacy for Change Grant will help expand programs that provide essential support and opportunities for Hawaiʻi Island’s youth and families, creating brighter futures for the next generation. 

Learn more: https://kidsmatterhi.org 

WeGO Foundation 

The WeGO Foundation is committed to strengthening communities by empowering individuals and families through education, mentorship, and collaborative partnerships. Their work focuses on creating opportunities that foster resilience, self-sufficiency, and long-term success for those they serve. 

Legacy for Change Grant funding will help expand community programs that connect individuals with resources, educational opportunities, and support systems that create lasting positive change. 

Learn more: https://wegofoundation.org 

Hawaiʻi Island K9 Association 

The Hawaiʻi Island K9 Association supports the highly trained working K9 teams that serve our communities through search and rescue, disaster response, public safety, animal-assisted therapy, and law enforcement support. Through fundraising and community partnerships, the organization helps provide specialized equipment, veterinary care, ongoing training, and critical resources that allow these teams to perform at the highest level. 

The Legacy for Change Grant will help ensure Hawaiʻi Island’s K9 teams remain equipped and ready to respond whenever our communities need them most. 

Learn more: https://hik9s.org 

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s grant recipients and mahalo to our Legacy Donors, agents, employees, and supporters whose generosity makes this program possible. Together, we are creating lasting change across Hawaiʻi—one organization, one community, and one act of giving at a time.