Pgh. Foundation Makes Massive Donation To Aid Hawaii Wildfire Victims

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Richard King Mellon Foundation will provide $1 million in grants to aid recovery efforts on Maui after the devastating Aug. 8 wildfires there. At least 115 people were killed in the wildfires, and others still are missing.

The foundation’s philanthropic grant-making largely is concentrated in the Pittsburgh area, but its conservation program is national, and through that program it has awarded funding in Hawaii. The Foundationhelped to conserve one of Hawaii’s most treasured native forests, on the Big Island of Hawaii, in 1995.

“With the foundation’s significant commitment to conservation in Hawaii, and our history of assisting with disaster-relief efforts elsewhere, the Foundation’s trustees were eager to step up and help to show Pittsburgh’s support of Maui in its hour of dire need."

Said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a Pittsburgh native: "I am humbled, and as a Pittsburgh ex-pat I'm extremely proud that such a generous donation is coming from the hometown of my youth. "On behalf of the people of Maui, I extend my sincerest mahalo, or thank you, to the big-hearted board of trustees of the Richard King Mellon Foundation.”

The $1 million will be distributed through three grants:

• $500,000 to the Maui Strong Fund. The Hawaii Community Foundation is utilizing the Maui Strong Fund to support emergency-relief efforts such as food, housing and animal rescue.
• $300,000 to Pittsburgh-based Brother’s Brother Foundation, also for Maui disaster-relief efforts. The Foundation worked with Brother’s Brother Foundation to support hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico in 2017.
• $200,000 to Maui Preparatory Academy for student scholarships. The school year already has started in Hawaii, but many students on Maui no longer have schools to attend. Maui Prep still is operating, and has seen a significant increase in students seeking to enroll.