Fundraisers hope to spread wealth
The Gift Foundation of Hawaii, a local nonprofit group run by young professionals, will try to raise $250,000 at its annual fundraising event this year to support four local charities.
The group, headed by 23 board members including Bank of Hawaii President Peter Ho; BJ Kobayashi, president and chief executive officer of the Kobayashi Group; and Brad Nicolai, general manager of JN Automotive, will fund various programs of Hawaii Youth Symphony, Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, Hawaii Nature Center and Hawaii Literacy Inc.
"This is not like your parents’ fundraising group," said Jon Bryan, 47, a board member and president and chief operating officer of Number Eight LLC, a marketing and TV production company. "The whole goal here is to try to get people involved in charities in our community at a younger age."
The annual costume party raised $200,000 last year. This year’s theme is "Lifestyles of the Rich and Infamous." The party will be held Oct. 29 at the new Waikiki Edition.
There is an unconventional silent auction, with beautiful women soliciting bids for big-ticket items such as an Alaska vacation to the Iditarod, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a Las Vegas trip package. The group will liven up the event by flying in featured performers, the James Gang of Los Angeles. There also is a costume contest and prize giveaways.
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» Hawaii Youth Symphony: Donations will fund two years of a three-year educational program that supports live musical performances for more than 30,000 children throughout the state. » Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii: Funds will go toward staffing an alternative program for troubled youths. » Hawaii Nature Center: A grant will fund construction of a new pavilion to expand environmental education programs in Makiki Valley. » Hawaii Literacy Inc.: Funds will provide computer access and educational instruction for low-income adults and children.
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The Gift Foundation looks to fund specific programs within smaller charities that are typically managed by younger professionals, Bryan said. The board consists of business leaders in a variety of industries and whose ages range from mid-30s to mid-50s.
Since its establishment in 2003, the group has raised $930,000 in net proceeds for charities statewide. This year’s proceeds are expected to push total net contributions to $1.1 million.
"We’ve got to keep on pushing ourselves," Bryan said. "We feel bullish on the charities we’ve selected."
The annual event attracts between 800 and 1,000 attendees each year.
Tickets cost $150 each, and there are three sponsorship levels: Gold ($2,500), Platinum ($5,000) and Diamond ($10,000).
