Purple Mai‘a Foundation Named Winner of Chaminade's Hogan Entrepreneurs/ASB 7th Nonprofit Business Plan Competition

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Purple Mai‘a Foundation Named Winner of Chaminade's Hogan Entrepreneurs/ASB 7th Nonprofit Business Plan Competition
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The Hogan/American Savings Bank Nonprofit Business Plan Competition announced the winners of its seventh competition at Chaminade University on Wednesday, April 27.

Nonprofit Purple Mai‘a Foundation received first-place honors and a cash prize of $14,000 for their High School Coding Project that aims to bring computer science education to schools on the Waianae coast.

We Are Oceania (WAO) received first runner-up honors, Ōlelo Community Media took second, and The George E. Morikawa (GEM) Center took third.

The four remaining finalists were The Bee Team, Hawaii Nature Center, Ho‘okumu Foundation, and P.A.R.E.N.T.S. Inc.

Held every two years, Chaminade's Hogan Entrepreneurs Nonprofit Business Plan Competition has received more than 300 entrants, given cash awards to more than 50 finalists, and awarded nearly a quarter of a million dollars to local nonprofit organizations since 2003.

This year, the winning nonprofit organization received $14,000, followed by $10,000 for second place, $5,000 for third, $3,000 for fourth, and $1,000 went to each of the four runners-up.

"We look for projects that address a clearly defined need and will deliver a tangible social return," Dr. John Webster, Hogan Entrepreneurs Program Director at Chaminade University said. "We're also looking for projects with heart. Projects that do well appeal both to the heart and the head. It's a challenge."

"American Savings Bank recognizes the vital role nonprofits play in finding solutions to some of our community's most pressing needs. We applaud all the competition's applicants for their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit," American Savings Bank President & CEO Rich Wacker said. "It's an honor to once again support the Hogan Nonprofit Business Plan Competition and to provide Hawai‘i's nonprofits with the resources they need to succeed."

Below are project descriptions of the winning nonprofit organizations for the 2016 Business Plan Competition:

Winner: $14,000

Purple Mai`a Foundation:

High School Coding Project

This project is designed to bring Computer Science education to schools on the Wai`anae coast to give the youth of the predominantly Hawaiian communities there access to tech industry jobs. Starting salaries for coders and web/mobile developers are in the region of $50K, representing a chance to begin climbing out of poverty while contributing to an important industry. None of the DOE high schools on the Wai`anae coast offer AP Computer Science. This project will create and run a culturally responsive computer science professional development course for DOE teachers by late July 2017. By the start of the 2017/2018 school year, it will establish a coding studio where students will have access to computers while providing self-paced instruction and mentorship after school, with the goal of doubling student participation through the 2018/2019 school year. The project's immediate goal is to deliver training to a first batch of 20 teachers and deliver world-class, self-paced instruction and mentorship to 90 students in a safe and inspiring environment.

First Runner-Up: $10,000

We Are Oceania (WAO) and the Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF): Cultural Wares

The Compact of Free Association (COFA) is an international agreement giving the citizens of three Pacific island nations--Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau--the right to live and work in the United States in return for the United States military's continuing use of these islands. Estranged from their traditional farming and fishing activities because of the damage caused by bombing, Micronesians have come to Hawai`i in search of a better life for their families and healthcare to address the diseases caused by the dramatic changes to their homelands. Cultural Wares is a manufacturing and distribution venture that will help Micronesians develop new paths to an improved quality of life by capitalizing on their creative skills. At the core of the venture is the empowerment of Micronesian women who are known to be expert seamstresses. This venture will establish partnerships with agencies such as Hawai`i Fashion Incubator, producing goods such as dresses, jewelry, wood carvings and woven items and bringing them to local markets. It will open doors for others to follow. Cultural Wares is an economic empowerment project that adds a new model to the range of no-cost services PIDF brings to over 10,000 at-risk families each year in Hawai`i. The project needs seed money to purchase sewing, embroidery, and overlock machines, as well as supplies to begin production.

Second Runner-Up: $5,000

Ōlelo Community Media:

Building Bridges Back to Society

In keeping with its mission of strengthening island voices and advancing community engagement, Ōlelo Community Media has embarked on a partnership with the Women's Community Correctional Center (WCCC) through the Hawai`i State Department of Public Safety Corrections Division. Ōlelo has been helping to train incarcerated women to help them acquire production skills while helping to meet the media needs of O`ahu's diverse communities. WCCC inmates have been learning how to videotape public meetings. They have served as crew, operating cameras and at times even directing multi-camera live productions. Ōlelo staff have provided training on site at the correctional center, as well as at Ōlelo's Windward and Mapunapuna media centers. In order to take the training to the next level, Ōlelo plans to equip the first phase of a media center within the correctional center. This will increase the opportunities for training, access to equipment and the ability to take advantage of more mentoring and volunteer activities. The more consistent on-site training will enhance skill development and foster the building of "bridges" that will help the women at WCCC to transition back into society as people who are equipped to help amplify community voices.

Third Runner-Up: $3,000

The Georgia E. Morikawa (GEM) Center: Communication Access in Senior Care Facility Programs

Established in 2015, the GEM Center is dedicated to ensuring effective communication for seniors who are deaf or hard of hearing, including those with additional disabilities in senior care facilities, until they no longer can receive information through American Sign Language (ASL) or other communication methods. The GEM Center aims to reach out to 15 assisted living facilities, over 190 adult residential care homes, over 160 community care foster family homes, 12 case management agencies, and 36 adult day care centers. Ultimately, the GEM Center hopes to establish a residential care home for the deaf or hard of hearing, and those with additional disabilities. The immediate plan is to research, monitor and develop a communication access program and service to senior care facilities. The GEM Center hopes to market a range of communications tools including communication boards, assistive listening devices, alert alarms with strobe lights, videophones and CapTel phones that will empower and educate seniors and their families. This will help seniors actively engage in making decisions. It will slow the rate of health deterioration and mental deprivation from the heartbreaking inability to communicate with caregivers and/or family.

Nonprofit Organizations in Hawai‘i

In the islands, more than 6,500 nonprofits are in operation and of that figure, 501(c)(3) charitable organizations make up the majority share with approximately 5,000. Human services (31%), education (18%), and arts, culture, and humanities (15%), make up the top three types of Hawai‘i nonprofits in terms of total number in operation.

Nonprofit Organizations Nationwide

Even with the aid of the web, social media, and web analytics--technologies that help to target outreach efforts and apply consistent, omnipresent messaging--nonprofits are having difficulty securing the resources needed to respond to changes or pursue new opportunities. A 2014 study by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) noted that the biggest challenge facing nonprofits is raising money. Compounding those financial challenges is a growing need in communities for services that government organizations traditionally handled but no longer do, the Nonprofit Finance Fund's 2014 State of the Sector found.

About Chaminade University of Honolulu
Chaminade University is a private, Catholic university offering more than 25 undergraduate and graduate programs and is federally designated as a Native Hawaiian serving institution. Guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, Chaminade prepares students for careers in an evolving global marketplace rooted in the development of moral character, personal competencies and a commitment to build a just and peaceful society. Please visit chaminade.edu for more information.

About the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program at Chaminade University

Funded by generous contributions from The Hogan Family Foundation, Chaminade University's Hogan Entrepreneurs Program provides in-depth learning through contact with Hawaii's entrepreneurs. The Foundation operates education, humanitarian, and civic-minded programs that encourage the entrepreneurial spirit.

About American Savings Bank

Since 1925, ASB has served Hawai‘i's businesses and communities by providing a full range of financial products and services including business and consumer banking, home loans, insurance, and investments. ASB is one of Hawai‘i's leading financial institutions, with online and mobile banking services and branch locations statewide offering evening, weekend and holiday hours. For seven consecutive years, ASB has been named one of Hawaii Business Magazine's "Best Places to Work" and was the winner of the large company category in 2015. For three consecutive years, ASB has been recognized as one of the "Best Banks to Work For" in the U.S. by American Banker Magazine. For more than 90 years, ASB has been helping build strong communities. Through its Seeds of Service program, ASB teammates have contributed more than 22,000 hours of volunteer service, and the bank has donated millions of dollars to Hawai‘i schools, nonprofits and community organizations.

Event Contact:

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Hogan Entrepreneurs Program

Ann Lujan Kishi

808-739-4673

alujan@chaminade.edu

L-R Chaminade President Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM, Chaminade Vice-president Institutional Advancement Diane Peters-Nguyen, American Savings Bank President & CEO Rich Wacker, Hogan Entrepreneurs Program Director John Webster hold ASB donation check for the Competition

American Savings Bank President & CEO Rich Wacker with Kelsey Amos of Purple Mai`a Foundation (2016 first-place winner of competition)

Competition awardee groups from L-R:

· First Runner-Up: $10,000: We Are Oceania (WAO) and the Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF): Cultural Wares (all five dressed in blue ocean and white flower fabric)

· Winner: $14,000: Purple Mai`a Foundation--High School Coding Project
Kelsey Amos dressed in purple

· Third Runner-Up: $3,000: The Georgia E. Morikawa (GEM) Center: Communication Access in Senior Care Facility Programs

· MISSING: Second Runner-Up: $5,000: Ōlelo Community Media: Building Bridges Back to Society

L-R Chaminade President Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM,

Chaminade Governors Lynn, Ed and Gary Hogan, and American Savings Bank President & CEO Rich Wacker

"This competition is especially important in light of recent news that many Hawai'i nonprofits have been scaling back or shutting down operations due to cuts in funding. It is a tough time for nonprofits, and it seems like the pool of grant money is drying up," said Hogan Program director, John Webster, PhD. "But thanks to our generous contributors, the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program will be looking for new programs that best embody its mission of 'doing social things that make business sense, as it conducts its 5th Non-Profit Business Plan Competition."

Educating students for life, service and successful careers, Chaminade University is a Catholic/ Marianist university offering programs of study grounded in the liberal arts with day, evening, online and accelerated courses. Chaminade is also a Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander serving institution with its main campus located at 3140 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816, and 10 satellite locations around Oahu. Chaminade University is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and looks forward to increased opportunities to promote environmental sustainability. For more information, visit the Chaminade Web site at www.chaminade.edu or call (808) 735-4711.

ABOUT HOGAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

PDF DOWNLOADS

Hogan Program Brochure

Letters From China

Programs objective and Requirements

This program is designed to equip students to hit the ground running when they leave Chaminade, with new skills, extensive connections, and the mind set to start new things wherever their careers may lead them.

Contributing to Society

Open to all majors and undergraduates as well as graduate students, (not just business majors,) we recognize that any graduate has the potential to start something new. New ideas that contribute to society and the well-being of communities benefit everyone, but also can make for successful, thriving businesses. This is the variety of entrepreneurial spirit we cultivate in our program. Our motto is "Doing business things that make social sense. Doing social things that make business sense."

Learning the Life and Culture of the Entrepreneur

In this program, students learn first-hand from experienced Hawai'i business leaders and entrepreneurs about the business of getting a new idea up and running. This involves:

Academic coursework
Carefully chosen mentorships and internships with seasoned business leaders
Attendance at our weekly lecture series
Broadening horizons by study trips to other locales, such as our trips to China
Broadening perspectives, contributing to the community and honing people skills through community service
An opportunity to participate in planning an actual venture with our non-profit business plan competition

Certificate Program

The Hogan Program is a 1 year or 2 year certificate program.

Director's Note

"Funded by generous contributions from The Hogan Family Foundation, this is a practical program that provides in-depth learning through contact with Hawaii's entrepreneurs. The small class size is designed to provide careful nurturing. We aim to prepare students to start and do new things--wherever their careers may lead them." -- Dr. John Webster

The Hogan Family Foundation

The Hogan Entrepreneurial Program is funded by generous contributions from the Hogan Family Foundation (website), located in California. The chair and co-chair are Ed and Lynn Hogan (pictured here with Governor Linda Lingle.)

The mission of the Hogan Family Foundation is to promote the entrepreneurial spirit through the creation and operation of educational, civic-minded and humanitarian programs designed to encourage a more productive and contributory society.

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