Friends of Hawaii Charities grants $1 million to nonprofits

The Friends of Hawaii Charities Inc. on Friday, June 8, distributed a record $1,055,000 in grants  to more than 130 nonprofit organizations – an average of just over $8,000 per grant. This year was the third straight million-dollar year for FHC.

"This is a great milestone," Tony Guerrero, FHC president, told the Pacific Business News. "The Friends have come a long way from our first distribution nine years ago of $256,000." Grant recipients serve Hawaii's children, youth, women, elderly and needy.

The Sony Open at Waialae Country Club is FHC's flagship annual fundraising event. The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation matches each dollar raised at the PGA Tour event. Other FHC events are the Champions Tour Turtle Bay Championship, the LPGA's SBS Open at Turtle Bay and the Fields Open. Business leaders, philanthropists, volunteers and community members also contribute through The Friends Club, an annual membership program.