Cades Foundation

## Approach & Fit Strategy

The Cades Foundation is a well-established private foundation in Honolulu, Hawaii, with $14.1 million in assets and approximately $755,000 in annual giving across 61 grants. Founded in 1991 by Cades Schutte law firm partners Russell and Milton Cades, the foundation supports innovation in academics, medicine, and the arts, along with improvement of the legal profession in Hawaii. The foundation is Hawaii-focused — approximately 98% of grants support Hawaiian organizations, primarily in Honolulu. The strongest fit is for organizations serving Hawaii in five core areas: food security, legal services, education, arts and culture, and youth development. The foundation provides predominantly unrestricted gifts (95% of grants), making it an attractive funder for organizations seeking flexible operating support. With 61 grants annually and a median of $7,500, the foundation takes a broad, community-oriented approach rather than concentrating on a few large awards. Organizations connected to the legal profession or Cades Schutte's professional network have natural advantages, but the foundation's diverse portfolio shows genuine commitment to the broader Hawaii community.

## Funding Patterns & Grant Landscape

The Cades Foundation distributed $755,192 in charitable disbursements in 2024 across 61 grants, maintaining consistent giving levels. The grant range is $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $7,500 — indicating a portfolio of many modest, community-level grants. Top 2024 recipients include Hawaii Food Bank ($35,000-$50,000), University of Hawaii Foundation Law School ($35,000-$50,000), Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii ($35,000-$50,000), and Institute for Human Services ($35,000-$50,000). The foundation has made 286 grants over its five-year tracked history, averaging about 57 grants annually. Revenue is investment-driven: 71% from asset sales, 24% from dividends, and 4% from interest in 2024. Total revenue of $1.37M exceeded expenses of $846K, generating $523K in net income — indicating the foundation is building rather than spending down its corpus. All six directors serve without compensation, and charitable disbursements represent 89.2% of expenses, reflecting efficient operations with minimal overhead. The 95% unrestricted giving rate is notably high, demonstrating trust in grantee organizations and commitment to flexible support.

## Peer Comparison

The Cades Foundation is a mid-tier funder in Hawaii's philanthropic landscape, significantly smaller than the Hawaii Community Foundation ($900M+) or Harold K.L. Castle Foundation ($300M+), but notable for its distinctive focus on the legal profession and its high grant volume (61 per year). Its median grant of $7,500 makes it more accessible to smaller community organizations than peer foundations that tend toward larger awards. The foundation's origin in the Cades Schutte law firm gives it a unique identity in Hawaii philanthropy — its support for Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Legal Aid Society, and UH Law School fills a niche that broader community foundations may not prioritize. The 95% unrestricted giving rate is exceptionally high compared to peers, most of which designate significant portions of grants for specific programs or projects.

## Recent Activity & Trends

Governance & Leadership: The foundation is governed by six directors — E. Gunner Schull (President), Michele S. Loudermilk (VP/Secretary), Rhonda Griswold (VP/Treasurer), Larry Takumi (VP), Vito Galati (Director), and Trever K. Asam (Director). All serve without compensation, maintaining the foundation's connection to the Cades Schutte law firm partnership tradition. The firm (now Cades Schutte LLP) maintains the foundation as part of its community commitment, with the foundation address at 1000 Bishop Street matching the firm's office.

Financial Health: The foundation is in strong financial position with $14.1M in assets, zero liabilities, and 2024 net income of $523K. Unlike foundations that spend down their corpus, Cades is growing — revenue consistently exceeds expenses, suggesting long-term sustainability and potential for increased giving in future years.

Giving Consistency: Grant volume has been remarkably stable at 57-61 grants annually over the past five years, with total giving around $750K per year. This consistency provides reliable support for Hawaii's nonprofit community.

Food Security Emphasis: The foundation supports multiple food-related organizations across Hawaii — Hawaii Food Bank, Maui Food Bank, The Food Basket Inc. (Big Island), and Aloha Harvest — demonstrating a statewide commitment to food security that extends beyond Honolulu.

Arts Ecosystem Support: The foundation's arts portfolio spans performing arts (Ballet Hawaii, Diamond Head Theatre, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Hawaii Youth Symphony), media (PBS Hawaii), and cultural institutions — creating a comprehensive support network for Hawaii's arts infrastructure.

## Application Tips & Strategy

The Cades Foundation is accessible to Hawaii-based organizations. Here are key strategies for prospective applicants:

1. Hawaii Presence Required — Approximately 98% of grants go to Hawaii-based organizations. Your organization must serve Hawaii communities, with Honolulu organizations having the strongest track record.

2. Request Unrestricted Support — 95% of Cades grants are unrestricted gifts. Frame your request as general operating support rather than project-specific funding. The foundation values organizational sustainability over individual program outcomes.

3. Right-Size Your Request — With a median grant of $7,500 and a maximum of $50,000, most grants fall in the $5,000-$15,000 range. First-time applicants should request amounts consistent with this range. Only established institutional relationships (like UH Law School) receive $35,000-$50,000.

4. Align with Core Pillars — Food security, legal services/justice, education, arts and culture, and youth services are the five clear priorities. Organizations outside these areas face long odds.

5. Legal Profession Connection — The foundation's origin in Cades Schutte law firm means organizations connected to legal access, justice, and legal education have a natural advantage. Volunteer legal services, pro bono programs, and law school initiatives are well-supported.

6. Statewide Reach Valued — While Honolulu dominates, the foundation supports food banks and organizations across Maui, Hilo, Wailuku, and Kailua. Neighbor island organizations should not hesitate to apply.

7. Contact: Cades Foundation, 1000 Bishop St, Suite 1500, Honolulu, HI 96813 | Phone: (808) 521-9200 | Website: cadesfoundation.org