Hawaiian Telcom and Bell Charitable Foundation Award More Than $50,000 in Grants to Hawaiʻi Nonprofit Organizations

Honolulu (July 11, 2023) – Hawaiian Telcom is proud to announce awards totaling more than $50,000 to three local nonprofit organizations: Accessurf Hawaii, Hawaii Literacy, and Special Olympics Hawaii. The grants are courtesy of the Bell Charitable Foundation (BCF), a philanthropic endeavor launched by altafiber, Hawaiian Telcom’s parent company, to support nonprofit organizations in areas where its companies provide service.

“Hawaiian Telcom and our employees take pride in supporting the communities we serve through donations, sponsorships, and volunteer hours,” said Su Shin, President and General Manager. “As we celebrate our 140th anniversary this year, we’re excited to build on our long legacy of giving through the Bell Charitable Foundation. This foundation enables us to make an even bigger, more focused impact in areas that we believe are essential for our communities to thrive and grow.”  

• Accessurf Hawaii will receive nearly $12,000 to create a database to better serve the community and improve outreach efforts. Accesssurf Hawaii empowers people with disabilities by providing access to the beach, adaptive water sports, and memorable experiences in the ocean.
  
  
• Hawaii Literacy will receive $20,000 to provide free or low-cost internet service, connected devices, and culturally relevant digital training. Hawaii Literacy helps children and adults gain essential reading, writing and lifelong learning skills.
  
  
• Special Olympics Hawaii will receive $20,000 to provide health screenings and training for clinicians who treat people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Hawaii uses sports, health, education and leadership programs to end discrimination against and to empower people with intellectual disabilities.

Hawai‘i nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for grants from BCF. Eligible entities must be U.S.-based, tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations as defined in the Internal Revenue Code. The foundation supports organizations that are making an impact in one of four pillars:

1. Economic and Social Mobility - Projects that intend to lift at-risk populations to higher stability, status and success in their economic or social standing.
   
   
2. Environmental Sustainability - Projects that intend to diminish the harm made to the earth and nature in our communities, or improve access to nature spaces.
   
   
3. Technology - Projects that improve access to, literacy in, and advancement of technology.
   
   
4. Health and Wellbeing - Projects that intend to improve health of all kinds (mental, physical, and emotional) for all members of our communities.

The BCF reviews grant applications twice a year. The upcoming application period for Economic and Social Mobility, and Environmental Sustainability grants is October 1 to 31, 2023. For additional eligibility requirements and information, visit: bellfdn.org/.

altafiber, formerly known as Cincinnati Bell, launched BCF in 2022. Last year, BCF allocated $150,000 for grants to nonprofit organizations, including a $9,000 donation to TORCH (Technology Outreach Hawai‘i), a Hawai‘i nonprofit that was founded by University of Hawai‘i students to improve digital literacy by making technology education more accessible and enjoyable for students from kindergarten to high school seniors.

Hawaiian Telcom and its employees donated more than $1.2 million to local non-profits and organizations last year. Hawaiian Telcom employees also worked more than 3,200 volunteer hours statewide, including more than 500 employees volunteering for the company’s annual Day in the Community in September 2022.