Give Big Hawai‘i: Your Support Matters! – HONOLULU Magazine

Report on Give Big Hawai‘i Initiative: Aligning Local Philanthropy with Global Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary of Fundraising Outcomes

The Give Big Hawai‘i initiative successfully mobilized community philanthropy, yielding significant support for local nonprofit organizations. The campaign’s performance is summarized as follows:

• Total Funds Raised: $158,280
• Number of Individual Donors: 941
• Beneficiary Organizations: 112

This report details the allocation of these funds by select organizations and analyzes their contributions toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Analysis of Fund Allocation and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council

1. Fund Allocation: Donations were allocated to protect marine ecosystems through community-based coral restoration projects. Funds also supported the enhancement of water quality monitoring programs via mobile testing labs.
2. SDG Contribution: These activities directly support the following SDGs:
   • SDG 14: Life Below Water – by actively conserving and restoring marine ecosystems and coral reefs.
   • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – by monitoring coastal water quality to protect both environmental and public health.

Responsive Caregivers of Hawai‘i

1. Fund Allocation: Donations were utilized to procure supplies for educational and developmental activities for adults with developmental disabilities. Programs included technology, arts and crafts, physical exercise, and cultural enrichment such as hula lessons.
2. SDG Contribution: This work contributes to key SDGs:
   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – by promoting mental and physical well-being and enhancing the quality of life for a vulnerable population.
   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – by ensuring the social inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities through engaging community programs.

Domestic Violence Action Center

1. Fund Allocation: Financial contributions supported the facilitation of survivor support groups, including provisions for childcare and care packages. The funds also helped maintain a confidential helpline for individuals seeking assistance and information.
2. SDG Contribution: The Center’s mission aligns with several SDGs:
   • SDG 5: Gender Equality – by working to eliminate all forms of violence against women and providing critical support to survivors.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – by providing victims of abuse with access to justice, support, and safe spaces.
   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – by offering essential emotional and psychological support services to promote recovery.

Hawaiian Islands Ministries

1. Fund Allocation: Funds were directed toward increasing the accessibility of events for youth through subsidized fees. Donations also provided scholarships and childcare for participants in the organization’s mental health workshops.
2. SDG Contribution: These initiatives advance the following SDGs:
   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – by promoting mental health awareness and providing the necessary support systems for workshop attendees.
   • SDG 4: Quality Education – by facilitating access to non-formal educational workshops focused on personal development.
   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – by removing financial and logistical barriers to participation for youth and adults.

The Pantry by Feeding Hawai‘i Together

1. Fund Allocation: Donations were invested directly into the food distribution program, which serves 5,000 families monthly. Funds also covered operational costs for essential infrastructure, including furniture and freezers.
2. SDG Contribution: This organization’s work is fundamental to achieving core SDGs:
   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger – by providing direct access to nutritious food and improving food security for thousands of local families.
   • SDG 1: No Poverty – by alleviating the financial burden of food costs for low-income households, allowing them to allocate resources to other essential needs.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article highlights the work of “The Pantry by Feeding Hawai‘i Together,” an organization directly fighting food insecurity. This connects to SDG 2, which aims to end hunger and ensure access to food for all.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• “Responsive Caregivers of Hawai‘i” focuses on boosting the quality of life for adults with developmental disabilities through engaging activities, which promotes well-being.
• “Hawaiian Islands Ministries” provided scholarships and child care for a mental health workshop, directly addressing the promotion of mental health.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The “Domestic Violence Action Center” combats domestic violence and provides support to survivors, which is a core component of SDG 5, specifically the target to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The work of “Responsive Caregivers of Hawai‘i” promotes the social inclusion and well-being of adults with developmental disabilities, directly aligning with the goal of reducing inequalities and empowering persons with disabilities.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The “Maui Nui Marine Resource Council” is dedicated to protecting marine resources. Its activities, such as coral restoration and water quality monitoring, are central to the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources as outlined in SDG 14.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The “Domestic Violence Action Center” provides legal representation to survivors of abuse, contributing to access to justice for all. Its overall mission to combat domestic violence aligns with the goal of reducing all forms of violence.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The entire article is framed around the “Give Big Hawai‘i” initiative, which is a partnership between individual donors, a media platform (HONOLULU magazine), and 112 local non-profit organizations. This mobilization of financial resources for local civil society organizations is a key aspect of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to food

• This target aims to end hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food. “The Pantry by Feeding Hawai‘i Together” directly addresses this by providing a food distribution system for 5,000 families a month.

Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being

• This target focuses on promoting mental health and well-being. The article mentions that “Hawaiian Islands Ministries” used funds for a mental health workshop, and “Responsive Caregivers of Hawai‘i” organizes activities to boost the quality of life, which contributes to the well-being of adults with disabilities.

Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls

• The “Domestic Violence Action Center” works to combat domestic violence and provides support services like a confidential helpline and support groups for survivors, directly contributing to the elimination of violence.

Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social inclusion of all

• This target aims to empower and promote the social inclusion of all, irrespective of disability. “Responsive Caregivers of Hawai‘i” achieves this by organizing engaging activities (cooking, technology, arts, exercise) for adults with developmental disabilities.

Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems

• The “Maui Nui Marine Resource Council” works to protect marine resources through coral restoration and water quality monitoring, which are direct actions to manage, protect, and restore marine ecosystems.

Target 16.1 & 16.3: Reduce violence and ensure access to justice

• Target 16.1 aims to reduce all forms of violence, which is the core mission of the “Domestic Violence Action Center.” Target 16.3, promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice, is addressed by the center’s provision of legal representation to survivors.

Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective partnerships

• This target promotes effective civil society partnerships. The “Give Big Hawai‘i” initiative, which raised $158,280 from 941 donors for 112 organizations, is a clear example of a partnership mobilizing resources for sustainable development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Number of families receiving food assistance

• The article states that “The Pantry” serves 5,000 families a month. This is a direct quantitative indicator for Target 2.1, measuring the reach of food security programs.

Existence of support services for victims of violence

• The article mentions that the “Domestic Violence Action Center” funds a confidential helpline and support groups. The existence and operational capacity of these services are key indicators for Target 5.2.

Provision of legal aid for vulnerable populations

• The fact that the “Domestic Violence Action Center” offers legal representation to survivors is an indicator for Target 16.3, measuring access to justice.

Implementation of ecosystem restoration and monitoring programs

• The article describes the “Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s” community-based coral restoration area and its water quality monitoring program. These programs serve as indicators for progress on Target 14.2.

Total financial resources mobilized for non-profits

• The article explicitly states that $158,280 was raised from 941 individual donors for 112 local organizations. This data serves as an indicator for Target 17.17, tracking the success of partnerships in mobilizing financial resources.

Provision of inclusive programs for persons with disabilities

• The activities organized by “Responsive Caregivers of Hawai‘i” (cooking, technology, arts, etc.) for adults with developmental disabilities are an indicator of social inclusion efforts under Target 10.2.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: honolulumagazine.com