Harold K.L. Castle Foundation

WHO WE ARE Founded in 1962, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation works to build resources for Hawaii’s future. We do so by investing in promising initiatives and organizations through grantmaking, using our convening power, and introducing and spreading new ideas and approaches to help solve some of Hawaii’s most pressing problems. Our 2017 Mission and Strategies: (1) to close the achievement gap in public education so that all of Hawaii’s children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, have access to and benefit from high-quality education, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, that prepares them for a successful future; (2) to restore Hawaii’s nearshore marine life populations so that future generations can benefit and learn from this rich natural resource; (3) to build on the strengths of Windward Oahu communities through investments that support the region’s rich cultural legacy, its youth and families, and its natural resources; and (4) to support a limited number of other unforeseen but compelling opportunities to make a big difference in Hawaii’s future. We achieve this mission through grants, which we see as investments—investments in ambitious, creative initiatives that deliver results by clearly making Hawaii a better place for its children, communities, and environment. Money for those grants comes from the Foundation’s endowment, which is managed carefully to ensure that the Foundation can serve as a resource for Hawaii’s future generations. Harold K.L. Castle, owner of Kaneohe Ranch and grandson of one of the early missionary families to Hawaii, established his foundation in 1962, providing much of his wealth to fund the organization. Education Strategy: Help low-income youth graduate high school on a path to success, with college credits and relevant career experiences, by supporting industry-led partnerships, strengthening academic rigor and career pathways, increasing student supports, and building work-based learning into the high school and college experience. Marine Conservation Strategy: Make measurable improvements in our nearshore oceans where possible now; promote systemic change through improved governance and a community-based management model of practice for scaled impact in the near term; and foster a collaborative set of stakeholders to maintain a healthy system for nearshore management throughout Hawaii in the long term. Windward Oahu Strategy: 1) By 2027, to dramatically increase the number of Windward Oahu youth who earn a promising credential, secure a good job and contribute to their community; 2) By 2027, to ensure that all Windward Oahu students graduate high school with an ‘aina aloha mindset and the resiliency and civic skills needed to protect and restore the watersheds and fisheries of Ko’olauloa and Ko’olaupoko; and 3) To support other unique opportunities to strengthen the resilience of the region’s families and communities from Kahuku to Waimanalo. HISTORY Born in 1886, Harold Kainalu Long Castle was descended from successful Hawaii businessman, James Bicknell Castle, who was a partner of Castle & Cooke. Harold K.L. Castle purchased the title to 9,500 acres in the Kailua ahupua‘a in early 1917. Realizing that the Windward side of the island of Oahu was a beautiful place to live and could become a vibrant community, Harold K.L. Castle and his wife Alice Hedemann Castle set out to do their part in building that community. Mr. Castle donated land for churches of all different denominations because he felt that churches would bring congregations, congregations would bring stability, and that would benefit the community that was growing around them. Mr. Castle also donated land and money to Hawaii Loa College, Castle Hospital, Iolani School, Castle High School and Kainalu Elementary School and the Mokapu peninsula land, which would become the K?ne‘ohe Marine Corps Base. The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation was founded in 1962 by Harold K.L. Castle. Upon his death in 1967, Mr. Castle bequeathed a sizeable portion of his real estate assets to the Foundation. These assets, which have all been converted from real estate holdings to a diverse portfolio of securities, are the base from which the Foundation’s grants are made. Harold Castle’s son, James C. Castle, was a Director of the Foundation since its inception, and succeeded Harold Castle as President in 1968. He held this position until his death in 1994. In 1994, James C. McIntosh was elected President and served as Chair until 2013. James C. McIntosh is a grandson of Harold and Alice Castle, as was the late Director, John C. Baldwin. The Foundation is one of the largest private foundation based in Hawaii. Each year the Directors award grants to nonprofit organizations benefiting the people of the State of Hawaii. Originally, grants focused on the Windward side of Oahu, youth, private education, arts and culture, and health care. The Foundation’s current investments are focused on public education redesign and enhancement, nearshore marine resource conservation, and strengthening the communities of Windward Oahu. Since its inception, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation has awarded over $200 million in grants, with more than $60 million going to organizations serving Windward Oahu. Currently, the Foundation disburses an average of $6 million in grants per year.