The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation was established in 1955 to encourage private support for the University of Hawaiʻi. Today, it is the central fundraising organization for the UH System providing a range of professional fundraising services to all 10 UH campuses, in addition to managing more than 5,000 gift accounts for the benefit of the university and its students.

The UH Foundation is a private, institutionally related corporation designated as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a legally separate entity from the University of Hawaiʻi, the UH Alumni Association, and all other UH affiliates. However, the Foundation works closely with these organizations as well as with others in the community exclusively for the benefit of the university.