Kutturan Chamoru Foundation

The Kutturan Chamoru Foundation (KCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 to address the cultural needs of the underrepresented Chamoru community in Southern California. With strong support from local leaders and organizations, the Foundation was established to preserve and perpetuate Chamoru culture through traditional dance, music, and language. Originally known as “Håle’ta” (meaning “Roots”), the organization evolved into “Kutturan Chamoru Performers” in 1995, a name that still represents its signature Dance and Music program today.

Under the artistic direction of Heidi Chargualaf-Quenga and supported by Musical Director Joey Quenga and Co-Director Clarissa Mantanona-Celano, KCF has gained national and international recognition. Performances have spanned from Washington, D.C. to Guam, including events at the Smithsonian and the Guam Liberation on Capitol Hill. Over the years, the Foundation expanded its mission by launching additional programs like *Ta Hita*, a biannual early childhood Chamoru language program, and *MO’NA*, a youth mentorship initiative focused on education and career readiness.

For more than two decades, KCF has operated solely through volunteer efforts, offering tuition-free cultural programs for the community. Now with a third generation of dancers and leaders, KCF remains committed to bridging the distance between its ancestral homeland in the Marianas and its cultural community in Long Beach. Through education, performance, and mentorship, the Foundation honors and celebrates Chamoru heritage for current and future generations.