Makahakama Foundation
Makahakama Foundation is a Palo Alto–based private family foundation that funds and invests in work restoring and protecting nature, strengthening community resilience, and supporting under-resourced entrepreneurs. The site describes grantmaking, impact investments, and a LaunchPad mentorship program and lists staff and recent grantees.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small to midsize nonprofits working in environmental conservation, community resilience, or entrepreneurship programs with local or project-specific work in California, Hawaii, or other states where the foundation has funded.
Good Fit
- • Direct program alignment with nature restoration, climate/community resilience, or entrepreneur support.
- • Existing relationship or introduction from a current or prior grantee, partner, or advisor.
- • A clear, place-based project in CA or HI (or a program with tangible local impact).
- • Readiness to receive unrestricted or program support at the $5K–$300K scale depending on project.
Geography
Grants in the observed years were paid to organizations in four different states (including CA and HI), so the footprint is multi-state, although 60% of 2024 dollars were concentrated in Hawaii and the foundation is based in California.
Recipient Variety
The latest year funded 24 distinct recipients and the three-year history shows many independent grantees (17 repeat recipients and numerous one-time grantees), indicating a broad recipient set rather than a tiny closed circle.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness is limited: the website explicitly says unsolicited applications are not accepted and the foundation indicates it only funds preselected organizations; while new grantees have appeared in past years, the visible policy and recent pattern of returnees make entry by an unfamiliar applicant unlikely without an introduction.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
