Abe Lee Charities will make grants to Oahu nonprofits

A new funding source has become available for Oahu charities. Local businessman Abe Lee, principal broker at  Abe Lee Realty, has earmarked a minimum of $24,000 per year to help support Oahu nonprofits. Grants will be based on a percentage of the company's gross sales, capped at $100,000 per year.

Abe Lee Charities will direct most grants to charities that assist the homeless. Funding guidelines and policy will be set by a five-member panel of volunteer advisors: . The advisory panel will vote on funding requests and set strategic policy.

Lee’s advisory panel will include Hawaii Kai developer, educator and estate trustee attorney Kenneth Chong; retired chair of Occidental Underwriters of Hawaii Siegfred Kagawa; Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee and long-time education advocate Oz Stender; and Lee’s wife Sally Lee, a social worker for nearly 30 years.

Oahu 501(c)(3) charitable organizations may request applications and guidelines by going to http://www.abeleerealty.com/charities/ or by calling (808) 942-4472, ext. 206. Grants will be made quarterly and the application deadline for the next funding cycle is May 1.