HONOLULU – The Matson Foundation, the corporate giving program of Matson, Inc. (NYSE: MATX), announced today that $1,607,558 million in donations was made to 456 nonprofit organizations in 2013, its first full year of operation.
“As a Hawaii-based corporation that has served Hawaii continuously since 1882, the Matson Foundation’s corporate giving reflects the responsibility we feel in supporting community groups who mean so much to the wellbeing of the islands,” said Matt Cox, president and CEO of Matson, Inc.
“In our first full year, we were able to support hundreds of nonprofit groups and programs whose collective impact extends deep into the communities where Matson operates and our employees live and work.”
Of the total donations made by the Foundation in 2013, $993,368, or 62%, went to qualifying nonprofits in Hawaii, with the remainder being contributed to nonprofits in other locations where Matson operates in Guam, the Pacific, and on the mainland U.S.
Nonprofits benefiting from the Matson Foundation’s generosity in 2013, and an approximate allocation of how funds were disbursed to support services and programs, are as follows:
• Health and Human Services (27%)
• Education and Maritime (18%)
• Community, Civil and Disaster Relief (15%)
• Environment (13%)
• Arts, Culture and the Humanities (12%)
• Recreation, Sports and Youth Programs (10%)
• Food, Agriculture and Nutrition (5%)
The Matson Foundation beneficiaries in Hawaii ranged from social service organizations assisting residents statewide to community-based programs. Examples of Hawaii nonprofits supported include Easter Seals Hawaii, Polynesian Voyaging Society, Special Olympics Hawaii, Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, Kapiolani Health Foundation, Kauai Habitat for Humanity, Hospice Maui, and Imiloa Center on Hawaii Island.
Ka Ipu ‘Aina is an innovative, eco-friendly program offered by Matson Foundation for schools and community groups to help the environment and raise money at the same time. The Foundation provides free usage of Matson shipping containers for groups to conduct environmental clean ups and donates $1,000 to each participating organization. In 2013, 120 organizations benefited from Ka Ipu ‘Aina, such as August Ahrens Elementary School, KIA Trinity Christian School, the Makakilo Knights basketball team, and Spike and Serve Volleyball Club.
The Matson Foundation was created in July 2012, when Matson was established as an independent Hawaii-based corporation. Matson had been a subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. since 1969.
Following its formation, the Matson Foundation donated $617,000 in the balance of 2012, bringing its total charitable contributions in its first 18 months to more than $2.2 million.
“This is just a start for the Matson Foundation,” said Cox. “Community groups and nonprofit organizations statewide can count on us to continue providing financial support that helps them fulfill their mission and make life better for the people throughout Hawaii.”
Established in July 2012, the Matson Foundation contributes funds, material goods and services to assist in the development and operation of not-for-profit, charitable and community organizations in the geographic locations in which Matson has business operations. The majority of Matson Foundation funding goes to Hawaii nonprofits. For more information, visit www.matson.com/foundation.