Seed Grants to Reduce Mental & Behavioral Health Stigma in Hawaii

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF), through its Health and Wellness sector team, is offering seed grants totaling up to $250,000 to support initiatives aimed at reducing stigma surrounding mental and behavioral health (M&BH) in Hawai‘i. This funding builds upon past HCF efforts including the CHANGE Grants Programs, Health and Wellness Collaboration and Seed Grants, and the Promising Minds initiative. Rooted in HCF’s CHANGE Framework, this funding opportunity seeks to empower community-led initiatives that use data to highlight inequities and promote resilience, particularly in underserved and priority populations across Hawai‘i. The core goal is to decrease mental health stigma by funding programs that use culturally appropriate and data-informed messaging. Funded programs may include educational campaigns and health promotion efforts that address community-specific stigma surrounding M&BH. Grants will support purchases such as creative software, staff time for strategic planning, and costs related to message development and dissemination. HCF will also provide awardees with access to a communications consultant and host workshops to promote peer learning and communications skills development. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations based in Hawai‘i with current 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt status or operate under a fiscal sponsor with such status. They must actively provide M&BH services or community-based health education and outreach within the state. Preference will be given to programs targeting specific priority populations, including Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, parents with young children, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Organizations with overdue HCF grant reports are ineligible. Awarded programs must participate in grantee gatherings related to this funding opportunity. The grant period runs from July 2025 through June 2026. Individual awards will range from $10,000 to $20,000. Strong applications will demonstrate organizational experience in M&BH service delivery, community knowledge, data-supported outcomes, culturally resonant strategies, and feasible budget and program plans. Applications must clearly articulate goals, expected results, and alignment with HCF’s sector vision. Applications must be submitted online by Friday, May 30, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. HST through the HCF Grants Portal. The portal requires users to complete an organization profile, which includes documents such as financial statements, a Board of Directors list, and service demographics. Applications consist of four key sections: Program Overview, Program Information, Budget, and Supporting Documents & Certification. Programs using a fiscal sponsor must also include specific authorization and agreement forms. For program-related questions, applicants may contact Gregg Kishaba at gkishaba@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5558. For technical issues, applicants should submit a support ticket through HCF’s support site.