Group matching donations to provide Native Hawaiians free online course with Boston University

ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi, a native Community Development Financial Institution, will match donations to provide Native Hawaiians a free online, 12-week course with Boston University to receive a professional fundraising certificate.

Through its inaugural annual giving campaign, “Planting Seeds, RaisingChange,” ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi aims to raise funds for Native Hawaiian participants’ Boston University tuition fees. This specialized certification course normally costs more than $3,000 per student.

Every donation is matched by an anonymous donor and will directly support Native Hawaiians pursuing fundraising careers. This initiative aims to break down barriers by offering free certification to 28 participants annually to address the underrepresentation of indigenous peoples in the fundraising profession.

As a requirement of their participation in RaisingChange course, all cohort participants must contribute 90 hours of community service to support Native Hawaiian and under-funded community organizations. This community service initiative serves to give back to the community and foster a pay-it-forward mindset.

“Indigenous people are underrepresented in philanthropy and fund development professional positions, so our goal is to change that,” said Olani Lilly, founder of ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi. “We are pleased to be able to match donations toward this important program.”

This training is part of ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi’s Philanthropono program, which focusses on strengthening the ability of community organizations to meet their mission. All donations will go exclusively to this program and will receive a matching contribution. Donations can be made at changemakershawaii.org.