Foundation sets award for nonprofit leaders

The Hawaii Community Foundation’s board and staff have raised $1 million to establish a fund in honor of its former longtime president and CEO.

The money will go toward the Kelvin Taketa Hookele Leadership Award Fund to sustain a program that awards four nonprofit executives each year a $10,000 “bonus” to be used on professional development and personal renewal.

Awardees must share how the experience inspired them as nonprofit leaders.

This year’s awardees are Kevin Chang, executive director of Kua‘aina ‘Ulu Auamo, which aims to protect and restore the land; Brenda Ho, CEO of Hospice of Hilo; Heather Lusk, executive director of the Community Health Outreach Work Project, which provides medical services to the homeless and people with substance abuse problems; and Pauline Sato, executive and program director for the Malama Learning Center, which provides hands-­­on learning for youths and adults.

Since 2002 the program has awarded $640,000 to 67 nonprofit leaders statewide.

The Hawaii Community Foundation, founded in 1916, works with donors and nonprofits to provide grants and scholarships and support social initiatives.