Reviewing the A&B Foundation Grant Application Guidelines may provide answers to some of your questions.

If you are interested in the A&B Foundation’s giving history, please take the time to review our Review of Giving publications.

Below are answers to some commonly-asked questions.  For any additional assistance, please contact us.

Q: In your guidelines, it is mentioned that grant making preferences are to support organizations that improve the communities where A&B companies primarily operate or where A&B employees reside. Where are these areas?
A:  A&B companies primarily operate in Hawaii, Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Islands (Guam, Palau, Saipan, Micronesia), Arizona, and Illinois. A&B companies have 900+ employees on Maui; 400+ on Oahu; 100+ on Kauai and 5 on the Big Island. The balance of A&B’s 2,000 employees are on the Mainland, primarily in San Francisco and Phoenix and on cargo vessels.
   
Q: Can we submit a grant application if our 501 (c) (3) status is pending with the IRS?
A: No. Your charity must already have been determined to be tax exempt, with 501(c) (3) status. A copy of your IRS determination letter must be included with your application.
   
Q: Do you need more than one copy of the application?
A: No, we only need one original application. If it is faxed to our office, an original copy must also be provided.
   
Q: If application deadline falls on a weekend or a holiday, when is the application due? 
A: The application must be received by the A&B Foundation by the next business day.
   
Q: What is the average grant award?
A: The A&B Foundation makes grants ranging from $180,000 to $100. A better indicator is that eighty percent of our grants are $5,000 or less. In 2001, just 30 grants were $10,000 or larger. The size of any grant is dependent upon the total need.

Q: Why do you require information on other funders for our charity?
A: We are interested in learning about other sources of funding being sought for your programs, because, in most cases, the A&B Foundation will not serve as the sole supporter of a program or effort. We look for broad support from the community and other funding sources as an indicator of your charity’s viability. 
   
Q: Does having the direct involvement of an A&B employee guarantee the Foundation’s support?
A: No. Involvement by A&B’s employees is an important indicator, but does not mean funding is automatic. The A&B Foundation offers a program that ‘matches’ employees’ volunteer time with a cash gift and eligible A&B employees can guarantee support through the Matching Gifts Programs for Education and Culture and Arts, which require an employee’s personal donation to trigger a 1:1 matching gift.