The McInerny Foundation, one of Hawai‘i's largest charitable foundations, was established with wealth from the McInerny family's clothing business. It is dedicated to making significant contributions primarily in education and social services within Hawaii. Additional focus areas include arts and culture, health, environment, and other projects that enhance the community's well-being.
The General Capital grant program by the McInerny Foundation focuses on supporting small capital projects, including equipment purchases or renovations, with a total cost under $500,000. This grant seeks to aid efforts in areas such as arts & culture, community enrichment, education, environmental conservation, health, and human services. Characteristically, these grants cater to FF&E (furniture, fixtures, & equipment), renovations, and small construction endeavors that fulfill a community's need and demonstrate financial viability. The Foundation encourages collaborative funding efforts, requiring that applicant organizations seek multiple sources of funding to ensure project completion. Moreover, it mandates a 100% personal financial contribution from the board members of applying organizations, alongside active participation in fundraising and community engagement. The Foundation's grant evaluation also considers the proposed project's community impact, budget realism, and the applicant's ability to secure full funding for project realization. There are no specific deadline dates for General Capital support proposals, as the Distribution Committee reviews requests quarterly.