Hughes Corp. to divvy up $1 million to nonprofits

Howard Hughes Corp. plans to distribute $1 million to Hawaii community organizations for a second time through a foundation it established in 2014 with an initial $1 million donation.

Hughes Corp., a Dallas-based firm that is redeveloping 60 acres of Kakaako with up to 22 residential towers and 1 million square feet of retail space, is scheduled to announce today the second round of funding for its Ward Village Foundation.

Over the past two years, the foundation distributed $1 million in grants to about 30 nonprofits and other organizations including Bikeshare Hawaii, Bishop Museum, Boys &Girls Club of Hawaii, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Friends of Iolani Palace, Hawaii Theatre, HomeAid Hawaii, KCAA Preschools, McKinley High School, Re-Use Hawaii, University of Hawaii Foundation, Waikiki Health, YMCA and YWCA.

“We recognize the vital role strong nonprofit community partners play,” said Todd Apo, vice president of community development for Hughes Corp., in a statement. “The Ward Village foundation allows us to make an impact in the critical services nonprofits provide and the strength they give to the fabric of our community.”

Apo said Hughes Corp. expects to begin soliciting applications for the second round of grant funding later this year. Information about the foundation and how to apply will be posted at wardvillagefoundation.org.