About Noyle Foundation
Fostering Growth for a Vibrant Future in Hawai‘i.
The Noyle Foundation was founded by Honolulu-based professional photographer Ric Noyle to address a longstanding gap in Hawai‘i’s creative education ecosystem.
In 2016, after attending a major photography convention in California, Ric recognized that Hawai‘i had never hosted a large-scale, accessible photography education event. To gauge local interest, he organized a three-day photography convention in Honolulu, intentionally pricing admission at just $15 and inviting the Hawai‘i Department of Education (DOE) to participate at no cost. The DOE brought over 500 students and teachers, and the response from educators and the creative community was overwhelmingly positive.
This first event clearly demonstrated both the demand for and the impact of accessible, industry-level creative education in Hawai‘i. Over the past five years, the initiative has continued in partnership with the DOE, expanding opportunities for students, educators, and creatives statewide through high-quality programming in photography, visual media, and related creative industries.
What Makes Our Work Different?
The Noyle Foundation does not offer one-size-fits-all programming.
We collaborate directly with creative arts educators on each island to identify the skills their students want and need to learn. Based on that input, we deploy a PhotoCON Hawai‘i Creative Team tailored to each school or community.
Instruction May Include:
- Photography (fashion, people, food, wildlife, water, astrophotography)
- Videography
- Drone imaging
- Post-production
- Creative and emerging technologies
Why It Matters
For corporate sponsors, foundations, donors, and institutional partners seeking meaningful community impact, visibility, and long-term alignment:
- Brings professional expertise directly into classrooms
- Empowers students with career-ready skills
- Strengthens Hawai‘i’s creative workforce
- Preserves and advances visual storytelling rooted in local culture
Education delivered. Knowledge shared. Opportunity created.
Professional Photographer
My vision has always been to foster an open-door approach to education, sharing not only creative skills but also the essential business knowledge required to thrive in photography and related fields.
What started as a grassroots initiative known as PhotoCON Hawai‘i has blossomed into the Noyle Foundation, a statewide nonprofit shaped by the collective efforts of educators, industry professionals, and community partners dedicated to enhancing creative access and opportunity.
Organizational Background
The Noyle Foundation champions accessible, practical, creative education that nurtures youth development, workforce readiness, and cultural storytelling across Hawai‘i. Through strategic partnerships and industry insights, we deliver impactful programs that serve students, educators, and community members statewide.
Our work bridges the gap between academic instruction and practical creative practice, empowering participants to:
- Build robust technical and creative skills.
- Develop professional confidence
- Explore diverse career pathways in photography, videography, digital media, and related creative fields.
Join us in shaping a vibrant future for Hawai‘i’s creative community.
Organizational Capacity
The Noyle Foundation is governed by a diverse Board of Directors, comprising experienced professionals with expertise in photography, creative industries, design, nonprofit leadership, and education.
Our programs are delivered through a robust network of qualified professionals, industry partners, and community educators, all of whom bring current, real-world expertise into classrooms and community settings. This collaborative framework allows us to provide high-quality, scalable programming across multiple islands.
Legal & Governance Structure
Relationship to the Noyle Foundation
Launched in 2017, PhotoCON Hawai‘i now operates under the governance of the Noyle Foundation, effective 2026. PhotoCON Hawai‘i LLC (PCH) is a wholly owned single-member LLC of the Noyle Foundation, a 501©(3) public charity (EIN 82-4583955). This structure enables the Foundation to deliver its flagship educational program in alignment with its charitable mission.
- The Noyle Foundation is the sole member and owner of the LLC.
- The LLC exists solely to advance the Foundation’s charitable and educational goals.
- The LLC does not operate independently and does not distribute profits.
- All revenues, expenses, grants, sponsorships, and program funds are consolidated into the Foundation’s nonprofit financial reporting.
- All assets are utilized exclusively for tax-exempt purposes.
This governance ensures a focused commitment to enhancing creative education and providing valuable opportunities for the communities we serve.
Key Partnerships included
- Hawai‘i Department of Education (DOE)
- National and regional industry partners, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, and B&H Photo
- Cultural organizations
- Community centers
- Local creative professionals
- Higher education institutions
Our Values
- Education
We prioritize practical, hands-on learning grounded in real-world application. - Equity
We work to remove financial, geographic, and cultural barriers to creative opportunity. - Community
Collaboration strengthens Hawai‘i’s creative ecosystem and amplifies impact. - Integrity
We operate with transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of resources. - Innovation
We embrace emerging technologies and new approaches to creative education.