Harmony Hallas, CFRE, has a passion for trust-based philanthropy and community development. She brings a wealth of expertise in grant program management, stewardship, cultivation, and community engagement to her work, serving causes at various organizations in Hawai’i over the past decade. Harmony currently serves as Advancement and Development Manager at Hospice Maui, which provides hospice and palliative care for the Hawaiian Islands of Maui, Moloka'i, and Lana'i.
Harmony is a member of the AFP Aloha Chapter and earned her CFRE in 2024.
She shares . . .
Built on a Strong Foundation
I decided to pursue my CFRE to elevate my career to the next level and demonstrate my commitment to the field of fundraising. Earning the certification reassures me and those I work with that I have a strong foundation in fundraising principles and practices. Additionally, being part of a larger, global community of philanthropy professionals has provided valuable connections and a sense of shared purpose in advancing the field.
I recently transitioned to a new role at Hospice Maui, and earning my CFRE gave me the confidence in my knowledge and expertise to apply and step into this opportunity. I wanted to work alongside compassionate, caring individuals who truly embody the spirit of nonprofit service.
Support for Compassionate Care
Hospice Maui was founded by volunteers in the late 1970s, and that legacy of community-driven care continues today. My role centers on advocacy and donor stewardship. Sharing patient and family stories is my favorite way to highlight the extraordinary work of our clinical team, social workers, spiritual care providers, volunteers, and support staff.
Philanthropy makes an impactful difference for patients at Hospice Maui. In the case of one of the hospice’s pediatric patients, their family had to leave Maui for medical care on Oʻahu. When they decided to return home for end-of-life care, our team organized transportation and logistics to ensure the child could spend her final days surrounded by siblings and extended family. Because of donor support, she was able to be at home, not in a hospital far away.
Another example that captures the heart of hospice came from one of our volunteers. A patient told his children he didn’t want flowers at his funeral, he wanted them while he was still alive so he could enjoy them. During his stay in our inpatient facility, his room was filled with vibrant flowers, a living symbol of love and presence. It was beautiful and deeply moving, a reminder that hospice care is about creating meaning and love in each moment.
When I care for those around me, my own happiness and sense of meaning grows. Working at Hospice Maui gives me the chance to live that every day.
Rebuilding a Historic Community
Prior to joining Hospice Maui, I took on the challenge of fundraising to rebuild a historic town devastated by a wildfire, which was a monumental task. Holding the CFRE gave me the confidence and skills I needed to step into this role and tackle it head-on.
When the Maui Strong Fund was activated through the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, I was part of the team supporting immediate response within those first months. My work included advising and advocating for local organizations to receive funding, while also interfacing with donors who wanted to make transformational gifts. The outpouring of support from across the world confirmed how special Lahaina is to so many people.
One of my most memorable moments was a call from “Jim,” who told me about sailing into Lahaina in the 1970s with friends. During that trip, they wrote a song about Lahaina, and he wanted to donate the rights as a gift. At first, I thought it was a sweet gesture. It turned out that “Jim” was Jim Messina of Loggins and Messina, and the song was their famous track “Lahaina.” As a longtime fan, I immediately sent him a photo of my Full Sail vinyl to share how meaningful his music had been to my family. It was such a special, human moment in the middle of a very overwhelming time.
The history of Lahaina lives in its community, and being part of the effort to rebuild and serve as a storyteller of Lahaina's rich history is not only a privilege but an incredible honor.
Finding Purpose Through an Unexpected Journey
Like many of us, I “fell into” fundraising because the position was available, and quickly discovered how meaningful it was to help connect generosity with impact. That unexpected beginning grew into a career that continues to challenge and fulfill me in ways I never imagined.
The CFRE credential has given me confidence in my skills and validated that I am a professional in this field. It's also opened the door to a wider network of peers with deep expertise in different areas of fundraising. Having access to colleagues who are generous with their knowledge and experience has been invaluable! It’s a reminder that even in fundraising, we never stop learning.