Help the PDC Lay Stepping Stones for the Future of Education
At Hanahau‘oli School, we are proud leaders in Hawai‘i’s progressive education movement. We believe in working with joy and playing with purpose—designing the essential stepping stones that allow children to explore within and reach beyond as they imagine a better world. The Professional Development Center (PDC) is how we expand the reach of the school and share progressive education with the world. Our mission is to provide all educators with the transformative philosophy and tools of a progressive education, creating more school communities that promote a better future society for today’s children. By giving to the PDC, you help to ensure more students, families and communities have access to meaningful and joyful learning.
The PDC is a labor of love that is 100% powered by philanthropic giving and program registration. We do not use tuition dollars or the school’s operating budget to fund our work. We rely entirely on the vision of donors like you to keep these programs accessible. Please join our community of supporters. Your gift helps us lay the stepping stones that empower teachers to lead, children to create, and our society to thrive.
Learn more about the impact of the PDC’s 15 year history and the path forward
Opportunities for Giving
Lead Gifts, Launching “The PDC’s Path Forward” 2026-2028
As the Hanahau‘oli PDC builds on its successes over the last 15 years and launches an exciting new chapter, we are asking for lead gifts to jump-start “the path forward.” This includes generating funds to hire a brand new Director of PDC Strategy & Operations.
Hanahau‘oli PDC Annual Fund
The Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center’s (PDC) brand new Annual Fund – Progressive Education for All. The purpose of this campaign is to collect funding for unrestricted PDC support to meet the most immediate and essential needs (salaries, technology, program materials), and empower the strategic growth of the PDC. A gift to the PDC annual fund ensures operational strength and the ability to design responsive PDC programming to ensure more students, teachers, and communities have access to a progressive education. Click on this link to give to the annual fund now.
Hanahau‘oli PDC Special Programs
The Hanahau‘oli PDC writes grants and asks for philanthropic support of special programs that align to the funding priorities of foundations and individual donors. Past support in this area includes the generosity of the following foundations and donors:
The Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation – early childhood progressive education in Hawai‘i
Howard and Jana Wolff – social justice education initiatives in Hawai‘i and beyond
McInerny Foundation – arts integration-related professional development
E.E. Black Foundation – the Teachers Teaching Teachers Mentor Program
Hanahau‘oli PDC ENDOWMENT GROWTH
The Professional Development Center at Hanahau‘oli is endowed by the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation. Named the Clarence T.C. Ching Endowed Fund for Teachers Teaching Teachers, this endowment helped to launch the PDC in 2009 and currently supports Hanahau‘oli School PDC’s efforts to establish partnerships within our community with those seeking to improve education for all children in Hawaii. In an effort to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the PDC for generations to come, the Hanahau’oli PDC will encourage giving to the PDC Endowment or establishing new named endowments with $25K minimum.
“Mahalo nui for the opportunity to attend “Beyond the Bot: Cultivating Critical Writers in the AI Era”...the workshop gave me concrete language, structures, and the confidence to lead that work. Please extend my thanks to your funders for investing in this kind of professional learning. It will have a direct impact on how my students learn to write and to use AI with integrity and curiosity.”
“I absolutely loved [the workshop]. The framework gives the teachers a starting point and excellent references but leaves room for individualization based on the needs of the children in their care. I plan on sharing this curriculum with the teachers… it will be an excellent resource for them. Mahalo again for the opportunity to participate in this PD! I appreciate the high caliber of all the Hanahauʻoli PD events.”
“As an international PhD student, this scholarship provided not only financial support but
also a sense of encouragement and belonging in my academic journey…I plan to apply these lessons by creating culturally responsive, place-based experiences that honor each child’s cultural background and identity while nurturing curiosity about others. Thank you again for your generosity and vision in supporting educators and scholars. Your generosity makes it possible for students like me to continue learning, growing, and giving back to our communities through Education.”