Frequently Asked Questions

Accessing DonorSphere

How do I establish an account with the new portal?
To log in for the first time, please visit DonorSphere, click on the “Forgot Username or Password” link and follow the prompts to receive your password. YOUR USERNAME IS YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.

If you have any questions about logging in, view our FAQs and portal training below, or contact Donor Services at donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5560.

*Note: The layout of DonorSphere will change if you are using a mobile device or tablet, or if you change the window size of your web browser.

What are the benefits to accessing my fund online?
Once your account is activated, you can interact with your fund 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via a secure, password-protected platform. You can view fund balances and fund history as well as access funding opportunities and important documents. If you have the ability to recommend grants from your fund, you can make grants using the portal. You will be able to view the status of a grant you have recommended and receive statements online.

*Note: If you have multiple funds, you will need to select a fund from the dropdown box in the upper right of the screen. You can set a primary or default fund in the options dropdown.

How do I log in to my account?
Once you establish an account, visit the Hawai'i Community Foundation website at https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/ and click on the login button at the bottom of the home page. This will take you directly to the DonorSphere login page. You can also visit the DonorSphere login page directly at https://hawaiicf.donorsphere.org/login.

What is my username?
Your email address is your username.

What should I do if my password does not work?
Donors can now easily reset their password by clicking on the Forgot Username or Password link on the DonorSphere login screen.

How do I reset my password?
You can reset your password by clicking on the Forgot Username or Password link on the DonorSphere login screen, then following the prompts. A reset password link will be sent to the email address on file with the HCF. Please follow that link to reset your password.

If you have any questions about logging in, view our FAQs and portal training, or contact Donor Services at donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5560.

Making a Grant Recommendation

How do I recommend a grant?
To recommend a grant, once logged in, click on the Grant icon on the toolbar at the top of your screen. From there, you will choose a grantee, fill out the appropriate grant information, choose how you'd like to be recognized, and determine when you would like the grant to be processed.

*Note: If you have multiple funds, you will need to select a fund from the dropdown box in the upper right of the screen. You can set a primary or default fund in the options dropdown.

How can I research an organization?
Once logged into the DonorSphere platform, use the Search function at the top navigation bar to search for a grantee organization.

What if the organization I wish to grant to isn’t listed?
Select the Search icon in the top navigation bar and click the link under the search for a grantee tab to enter your unlisted grantee’s information. The Organization Name, Street Address, City, State, and Zip code are required fields. Please enter as much information as you know. If you do not know the information, enter N/A.

Are there any limitations on the frequency or size of grants from my fund?
Grants must be in the amount of $250 or more. If your fund is non-endowed, there is no limit on the number of grants that can be made from an individual philanthropic fund. If your fund is endowed, the number and size of your grants is limited to your available fund balance.

What types of causes can be supported through my fund?
A wide range of charitable organizations can be supported through a philanthropic fund.

In most instances, grants can be recommended to organizations that have received 501(c)(3) charitable status from the IRS; however, this does not include private, non-operating foundations. Grants cannot be made to individuals.

Once I have recommended a grant, when can I expect it to be processed?
Grant recommendations are generally processed within 5 to 10 working days of when they are received, as long as no issues are identified during the due diligence process.

How can I determine the status of a grant that was made?
Once a grant recommendation is processed in the system, you can see further information about your contribution by clicking on the Activity icon on the toolbar at the top of your screen. Proceed to  Grant Activity  to view your grant status. Donors will also receive automated email updates on the status of each grant recommendation.

Can I designate my grant recommendation to a specific program or purpose?
When completing the grant recommendation form, the Grant Purpose defaults to General Operating. In order to designate a specific program or purpose, click the dropdown box under Grant Purpose and select Custom (note: 100-character limit).

You may use the optional Donor Comments text box to enter notes to describe the grant or to provide special instructions relating to the grant. The text entered under Donor Comments will not appear on the grant check or award letter.

How do I share my full name with a grantee?
You may add your full (or a preferred) name as a salutation within DonorSphere that will appear on the grant award letter. When completing the grant recommendation form, click on the dropdown box under Designation Information and select Custom. Select Donor Recognition Name for Grants as the type and enter your full (or preferred) name. Check the box Make this my primary salutation if you prefer the name be used for all future grants.

How do I designate a grant recommendation to be anonymous?
Within the Donor Recognition section on the grant recommendation form, choose Make this Grant Anonymous. Neither the donor name nor fund name will be provided to the grantee.

How can I make a recurring grant recommendation?
Within the Grant Timing section on the grant recommendation form, choose This is a recurring grant to be issued on a specific frequency. You will then be able to establish the frequency of the recurring grant recommendation.  Recurring grant recommendations are limited to two years.

Can I hand-deliver the grant check to the nonprofit organization?
All grants are sent directly to the grantee organization. To inquire further, please reach out to your Primary Contact or Donor Services at donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5560.

Making a Gift to a Fund

How can I make a gift to my fund?
Cash is a simple and easy way to make a gift. Checks should be made payable to Hawai‘i Community Foundation. If the gift is for a specific fund, please write the fund name on the memo line or accompanying documentation. Checks should be mailed to:

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation
827 Fort Street Mall
Honolulu, HI 96813

We also accept a wide variety of gifts, from online credit cards to complex assets. For more information, please contact your Primary Contact or Donor Services at donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5560.

How can I determine the status of a gift that was made?
Once a gift is posted to your fund, you can see further information about your contribution by clicking on the Activity icon on the toolbar at the top of your screen. Proceed to Contribution History to view your gift history and activity.

Getting Information about Funds

What information is available on DonorSphere?
Once you’re logged in to DonorSphere, all fund, gift, and grant information from January 1, 2020 to current is viewable by clicking the Activity icon on the tool bar at the top of your screen, then Summary.

If you wish to access historical information, please reach out to your Primary Contact or Donor Services at donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5560.

Total Fund Balance is the total value of all assets held in your fund. Available Fund Balance is cash available for charitable distributions. Investment earnings and other bank or foundation fees may not be immediately reflected in the Fund Summary.

Where can I view my fund statements?
To view your fund activity reports (statements), click on the Activity icon on the toolbar at the top of your screen.  Proceed to Statements to view current and past statements.

*Note: New Fund Statements are posted at the end of a month following the close of a quarter.  You will receive an e-mail notification when a new Fund Statement is available for viewing. Gifts to your fund and grants from your fund are posted in real time.

Where can I see the history of grants from the fund?
You can view the grant history by clicking on the Activity icon on the toolbar at the top of your screen. Proceed to Grant History to view all details associated with the fund’s grant history.

Who is my contact at HCF?
Once you are logged into the DonorSphere platform, your contact at the foundation will be listed at the far right of the screen under My Contact. Please feel free to reach out to this person or contact Donor Services at donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5560.

How do I update my contact information?
Click on Options at the top far right of the screen and then click User Profile. There, you will be able to update your contact information.

In order to reduce the amount of waste produced, all communication (i.e. letters, statements, receipts) associated with your fund will be uploaded to DonorSphere. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Primary Contact or contact Donor Services at donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5560.

How To Video Library

Dashboard Overview

Reset Password

Make A Grant

Search for Grantees

View Grant History

View Contribution Summary