The Mill Effect
Since 1994, we have provided hands-on education and experiences to West Hawai‘i. Our impact goes beyond numbers, but here are some things that earned us bragging rights in the last few years.
11,500+
People visited the Mill over the last 5 years
$890k+
total grant dollars awarded to the Mill over the last 5 years
640+
Artists exhibited their work at the Mill over the last 5 years
400+
total classes taught by the Mill in the last 5 years
Funding the Arts
and the Artists
“The Donkey Mill is a magnet for artists all over the country and world due to its welcoming and inclusive spirit, and the quality of artists who are there to teach people of all ages and abilities.”
— PHOEBE TOLAND, ARTIST
We are committed to providing space and opportunities for local and nationally recognized artists through our range of programming.
Our impact in 2021:
142
artists showed work in our exhibitions
$14k
paid to kapa artists via SFCA’s acquisition of 5 works
$82k
paid to 68 contract teaching artists
$35k
paid to local artists through our retail shop and online store
Our Hidden Gem
The Youth Program
“[My daughter] loved trying new things, getting her hands dirty, learning about deeper connections and putting it all together.”
— KATE, PARENT
Our Youth Education Program is recognized by the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture & the Arts as a regional resource.
It weaves in literature, performing arts, environmental studies, and health through the lens of self, family, community, and world. Whether in schools or on campus, we are committed to expanding our reach.
From 2017-2021…
972
youth & teens attended workshops, classes and other events at the Mill
1465
youth educated through the Artists in the Schools program at Hōlualoa Elementary School
25
Free classes offered to youth and their families in west Hawaiʻi.
$27k
in scholarships awarded for programs at the Mill
Amplifying
voices of
the pacific
“The Donkey Mill is home to one of Hawai‘i’s few Kānaka Maoli curators who is working with artists and the community, and finding the threads that bind us together.”
— Halena Kapuni-Reynolds
Our West Hawai‘i region is extremely diverse–both the land and its people. Our extensive offerings include classes, free exhibitions and special events that highlight histories and cultures from across the Pacific to reflect the community we serve.
5k+
attendees at our cultural festivals and events
230+
students learned about Japanese and Marshallese cultural traditions in hands-on workshops
350+
students participated in classes & workshops on Hawaiian history & culture
12
cultural practitioners helped to perpetuate ancestral knowledge through workshops in fibers and print
Pacific Islander Demographics in Hawai‘i
| 202,906 | Hawai‘i County population (2020 US Census data) |
| 46,000 | Population in Kailua-Kona & Hōlualoa zip codes (UDS Mapper data) |
| 25% | Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander |
| 18% | Native Hawaiian |
| 59% | Economically disadvantaged elementary school students in Hōlualoa area |
By the Books:
our Financials
We understand the overall health of an organization is directly related to the health of the organization’s financial stability and security.
We depend on multiple revenue streams and our highly committed donors to provide necessary programs for our community. Here is a breakdown of the books in FY2021.
FY 2021 Expenses
| 68% | PROGRAM SERVICES |
| 20% | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| 12% | Fundraising & Membership |
Special Recognition
Our Top 3 Funders in 2021:
- Hiroaki, Elaine & Lawrence Kono Foundation
- Hawai’i Community Foundation
- Anonymous Donor
Support us in extending our impact further
Grants Awarded in 2021:
| $40,000 | Hiroaki, Elaine & Lawrence Kono Foundation |
| $40,000 | Hawai‘i Community Foundation CHANGE Grant |
| $20,000 | Atherton Family Foundation |
| $15,000 | Kūki‘o Community Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation |
| $15,000 | HSFCA Biennium Grant 2021-2022 |
| $15,000 | HSFCA American Rescue Plan Grant 2021-2022 |
| $6,912 | HSFCA Artist-in-the-Schools (Hōlualoa Elementary School) |
| $4,000 | County of Hawai‘i Council Contingency Fund – Holeka Inaba |
| $4,000 | Sam and Mary Cooke Fund for Hawai‘i of the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation |
FY 2021 Revenue
| 26% | INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
| 17% | ART & EVENT SALES |
| 16% | CORPORATE & FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTIONS |
| 16% | PROGRAM SERVICES FEES |
| 13% | GRANT INCOME |
| 10% | GOVERNMENT GRANTS |
| 3% | MEMBERSHIP DUES |