Across the country, billions of dollars sit inside private foundations created for charitable purpose. These foundations receive tax advantages because their resources are meant to serve the public good. And yet, by law, most private foundations are only required to distribute about 5% of their assets each year for charitable purposes.

What if fundraising was never meant to begin with scarcity, competition, or convincing people there is not enough? What if it began instead with genealogy, observation, storytelling, kuleana, and the relationships that already hold our communities together?

When we first set out to create our case for support, we thought we already knew what needed to happen. The challenge felt urgent. The need was visible. We had language for it, data to back it up, and even a plan in motion.