The Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Program by the County of Maui’s Office of Economic Development (OED) provides funding for programs, projects, and events that support sustainable economic development in Maui County. The goal is to foster initiatives that deliver measurable economic benefits, promote community self-sufficiency, and align with local priorities such as small business promotion, cultural preservation, tourism management, technology, and community-based events.
The grant period spans July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. The first round of applications opens on April 1, 2025, with a deadline of April 30, 2025. Funding decisions are expected shortly thereafter, with project work beginning within the fiscal year. Subsequent rounds may be announced depending on available funding. A separate funding track, the Line Item and Proviso grants, follows the same open date but closes on August 30, 2025.
Eligible applicants include both nonprofit and for-profit organizations incorporated in the State of Hawaii and in good standing with state and federal authorities. Required documents include a certificate of vendor compliance, IRS W-9, current financial statements, DCCA filings, corporate resolution, insurance certificate, board list, bylaws or operating procedures, and a detailed grant application submitted via Submittable. The grants are reimbursable, meaning recipients will receive payments after submitting documentation of completed work and associated costs. Grantees can submit invoices monthly, and final payment (10%) is withheld until final reporting and tax clearance are received.
Applications are evaluated by the OED Grants Evaluation Committee based on a 100-point scale covering criteria such as project description, economic impact, marketing plan, proposal narrative, budget justification, and plans for achieving economic self-sufficiency. Organizations are also assessed on past performance and compliance with previous grant terms. A site visit and evaluation may occur during the project implementation.
The application must include a clear proposal narrative, economic and marketing plans, detailed and itemized budget (with justification), performance metrics, and expected impact on the local economy. Organizations are expected to show how the project supports the long-term economic growth of Maui, with a particular emphasis on underserved communities, capacity building, and sustainability beyond the grant period.
For more information or technical support, applicants are directed to the OED Grants Division. All applications must be submitted through the Submittable portal at https://mauioed.submittable.com/submit, and communications should be routed through grants.OED@mauicounty.gov. The office is located at 2200 Main Street, Suite 305, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii 96793.
