Philanthropy Reimagined: An Innovative Approach to Disaster Recovery
Major foundations are streamlining millions in recovery funding through an innovative partnership that's changing how Hawai'i tackles community rebuilding—and creating a model that could reshape disaster response across the Islands.
In the aftermath of the devastating August 2023 Maui wildfires, a groundbreaking initiative is reshaping how Hawaiʻi philanthropic organizations approach disaster recovery. The newly announced Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative (MRFC) represents a pioneering shift in charitable giving, bringing together major foundations and organizations in a coordination of resources and expertise.
A New Model for Community Recovery
The collaborative, launched by the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF), Kaiser Permanente, and Maui United Way, introduces a streamlined approach to funding that could transform how communities rebuild after disasters. This innovative partnership includes other significant players such as the American Red Cross, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and Nuestro Futuro Foundation.
“By aligning our resources and working directly with community partners, we’re creating a framework that galvanizes our collective efforts,” explains Keanu Lau Hee, senior director of the HCF Maui Recovery Office. This coordinated approach has already demonstrated impressive results, with the collaborative providing over $19 million in funding to local organizations since its inception.
Breaking Down Barriers
Traditional disaster recovery often involves organizations navigating multiple grant applications across various foundations, each with its own requirements and timelines. The MRFC transforms this process through a single-entry point, allowing organizations to access multiple funding sources through one application.
As Maui rebuilds entire communities, entities must work together for a cohesive resuscitation. The impact of this streamlined approach creates an ecosystem where funders can collaboratively resource long-term recovery needs. This collaborative approach enables funders to pool their resources strategically, making projects possible that may have been previously unfeasible. Where a single funder might not be able to fully fund a major initiative, the collective can work together to provide comprehensive support, turning ambitious community projects from vision to reality.
“Kaiser Permanente has been an early funder and advocate for critical efforts that have now raised millions of dollars in follow-on funding from government and other donors,” said David Tumilowicz, senior director of community health at Kaiser Permanente. “This includes the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study as well as the Ke Ola Hou behavioral health resiliency center, which is now a key component of Maui County’s long term recovery plan to provide behavioral health support to survivors for decades to come. The Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative allows us to work together with other funders to grow these important initiatives.”
Community-Centered Recovery
The collaborative has an emphasis on community-driven solutions, moving beyond traditional top-down philanthropy to embrace a model where the community guides recovery efforts. The initiative recognizes that lasting recovery must address both immediate needs and long-standing community challenges while building resilience against future impacts.
Through relationship building and data collection, the collaborative actively incorporates direct community input to shape funding priorities. This approach ensures resources flow to areas identified as critical by residents themselves. The funding focuses on interconnected recovery areas including:
- Housing and essential services that address immediate stability needs while building toward permanent solutions
- Behavioral health support systems designed to help community members process trauma and heal from health impacts caused by the disaster
- Economic development initiatives that prioritize local business recovery and job creation
- Cultural preservation efforts ensuring recovery honors and strengthens Maui’s heritage
- Healthcare access programs that bridge immediate gaps while building sustainable care systems
- Youth support programs focused on helping the next generation thrive despite disruption
- Educational resources that adapt to post-disaster needs while strengthening long-term learning opportunities
The collaborative’s structure allows it to remain responsive to evolving community priorities, with regular feedback loops ensuring funded programs continue to meet real community needs. This adaptive approach recognizes that recovery is not a linear process and that community priorities may shift as immediate needs are met and new challenges emerge.
Looking Forward
As Maui continues its recovery journey, the MRFC’s approach could revolutionize how Hawaiʻi’s communities respond to disasters. The collaborative’s emphasis on both immediate relief and long-term resilience building suggests a sustainable model for community recovery that extends far beyond the initial crisis response.
“We are particularly excited to support initiatives that not only rebuild but also strengthen our community’s infrastructure and social fabric. As a funder, our goal is to use this model to create a similarly efficient system for ‘blue sky’ times in the future,” says Jeeyun Lee, director of impact at Maui United Way, highlighting the collaborative’s commitment to long-term community resilience.
This innovative approach to philanthropic coordination might well represent the future of disaster recovery funding, offering lessons for communities worldwide on how to build more resilient, coordinated response systems. Through this unified effort, Maui is not only rebuilding — it’s modeling how communities can come together to create lasting positive change.
Join the Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative. For philanthropic organizations looking to maximize their impact in Maui’s recovery, the collaborative offers a proven pathway to efficient, community-driven giving. The established infrastructure means new partners can immediately tap into deep community relationships and coordinated funding strategies, while maintaining their own giving priorities. By joining forces with existing partners like Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, and Maui United Way, funders can help scale up successful programs and launch new initiatives for the long-term resilience of the Maui community.
For more information about the Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative or to apply for funding, visit mauirecoveryfunders.org.
