A round emblem with a purple border featuring a stylized green leaf and the words 'The Sustainable Food Trust' underneath.

unlock your      

potential           

with purpose      

Join a transformative journey designed to empower Native Hawaiian professionals with culturally grounded fundraising skills. Our courses are thoughtfully crafted to honor indigenous values while equipping you with practical expertise to drive meaningful change in your community.

START YOUR JOURNEY
  • A woman sitting on a woven mat under a thatched roof teaches a group of four young adults amid lush greenery and palm trees.

    ANCESTRAL ROOTS, CULTIVATING CHANGE

    Philanthropono is a year-long certification program that empowers Native Hawaiian and community-rooted leaders to lead fundraising with skill and soul—grounded in cultural stewardship, kuleana, and aloha ʻāina.

    Participants gain hands-on experience, certification, and a project portfolio, along with the confidence and tools to build community resilience and support self-determination.

    LEARN MORE
  • A man and woman shaking hands outdoors during sunset, with palm trees in the background. The woman is wearing a brown dress with a green leafy lei, and the man is wearing a blue suit.

    TALENT BROKERAGE

    Our talent brokerage connects nonprofit organizations with certified fundraisers — many of them Philanthropono graduates — who bring cultural insight and professional skill to fundraising.

    It’s a bridge between mission-aligned talent and the organizations that need them, while growing Native leadership in philanthropy.

    GET STARTED
  • A group of seven people, six women and one man, standing outdoors with a sunset sky, palm trees, and mountains in the background, all placing their hands together in a gesture of unity.

    INDIGENOUS FUNDRAISING NETWORK

    Rooted in Indigenous values and guided by professional excellence, the network exists to build collective capacity and long-term sustainability for Native-led organizations.

    Philanthropono recognizes that fundraising in Indigenous communities is not transactional—it is relational. Giving is grounded in reciprocity, responsibility, and service to community well-being.

    LEARN MORE

A man and woman sitting at a wooden table outdoors, looking at a laptop together with palm trees in the background.

Philanthropono empowers Native Hawaiians, nonprofit leaders, and early-career changemakers with fundraising tools grounded in Indigenous values. Participants gain practical experience and professional support through:

  • ✓ Hands-on Training

  • ✓ 90-Hour Practicum

  • ✓ Cultural Alignment

  • ✓ Professional Outcomes

  • This program reframes fundraising as a vehicle for community transformation, self-determination, and the perpetuation of moʻolelo.

fuel change from within  

     CERTIFICATION LEVELS

  • Text on a black background reading 'KA' followed by what appears to be the number 1.

    Refers to a small meshed net (BEGINNER)

    ✔ Complete Beginners 12-week course

    ✔ 30 hours practicum

    ✔ Hōʻike

    ✔ Complete a portfolio (1 work products)

  • The word 'KĀHI' in white capital letters on a black background.

    Refers to a fine-meshed net (INTERMEDIATE)

    ● Completion of Kaʻiʻi course required

    ✔ Complete Intermediate 12-week course

    ✔ 60 hours practicum

    ✔ Hōʻike

    ✔ Completion  of portfolio (2 work products)

  • Text logo that says "KITHOLO" in white letters on a black background.

    Refers to a large fish net about 20 fathoms long, held by a canoe at each end (ADVANCED)

    ● Completion of Kāʻihi course required

    ✔ Complete Advanced 8-week course

    ✔ Practicum

    ✔ Hōʻike

    ✔ Continue building a portfolio

    ✔ At least 40% of position time is allocated to fundraising or philanthropy.

  • The word 'KÁHALA' written in large, white letters on a black background.

    Refers to a net made of strong cord used for sharks (PROFESSIONAL)

    ● Completion of Kīholo course required

    ✔ Provide coaching hours during participant practicum

    ✔ Hōʻike

    ✔ Completion of portfolio

    ✔ At least 60% of position time is allocated to fundraising or philanthropy.

MORE COURSE DETAILS & FAQs
I'M READY TO BEGIN

A diverse group of people in a tropical outdoor setting with mountains and palm trees, placing their hands together in unity during sunset.

Rooted in Relationship. 

Built for Impact.             

Fundraising in Indigenous communities is rooted in relationship and reciprocity. Philanthropono brings Native Hawaiian, Native American, and Alaska Native fundraising professionals together to build skills, share resources, and strengthen long-term sustainability for Native-led organizations of Native Hawaiian leaders.

A core part of Philanthropono is its commitment to collective impact. Each year, the Network will select one high-leverage initiative with the potential to create significant impact for Native communities—such as strengthening a Native-led organization poised for scale, supporting a capital campaign, advancing a major funding initiative, developing a national research effort, or addressing a critical capacity gap in Indigenous philanthropy.

● Grant writers and grant managers
● Nonprofit executives with fundraising responsibilities
● Philanthropy professionals
● Emerging leaders seeking culturally aligned mentorship

Who is the Network for?

Why Join?

● Culturally aligned training and support
●A trusted network of Indigenous fundraising peers
● GrantStation subscription + shared tools and templates
● One annual collective impact project supported by the Network

JOIN THE INDIGENOUS FUNDRAISING NETWORK