Hawaiʻi State Legislature Grant-In-Aid

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature offers an annual Grant-In-Aid (GIA) funding opportunity to support qualified organizations in delivering essential public benefit services across the state. This grant program, grounded in Chapter 42F of the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, aligns with the Legislature's commitment to bolstering community programs that address critical needs, especially for vulnerable populations. The program is administered jointly by the House Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, which together oversee the submission, evaluation, and funding processes. The GIA program is intended to support both capital improvement projects and operating expenses for eligible applicants. Capital requests may include construction projects or acquisition of fixed assets such as land or buildings, while operating requests pertain to ongoing program costs. Organizations may apply for either or both types of support but must submit separate applications accordingly. Importantly, while nonprofit status under 501(c)(3) is not required, applicants must meet the statutory qualifications under Section 42F-103 and provide documentation during an eligibility verification process. Eligible organizations include nonprofits, individuals, or out-of-state entities that spend at least 90% of their operating budget in Hawaiʻi. All applicants must complete a comprehensive grant form, submit it via the State Capitol portal, and ensure that the application is consolidated into a single, unlocked PDF file under 150MB. Signatures must be valid, obtained through scanned copies or e-signatures. The application deadline is strictly set at 4:30 p.m. HST on January 23, 2026, after which the submission portal will be closed. Applications must be submitted through the Legislature’s designated submission website. Email, fax, or mailed applications are not accepted. All applications will be posted publicly on the Legislature’s website. It is critical that applicants ensure accuracy before submission, as corrections must be resubmitted with a cover letter. The grant process does not guarantee a public hearing, though hearings have occurred in past cycles. Applicants should monitor the State Capitol website for updates and possible hearing notices. Final funding decisions are influenced by the State Council on Revenues’ economic forecasts released in January and March. Once grants are approved through the state budget, actual disbursement is subject to the allotment process administered by the Governor and the Department of Budget and Finance. Grant recipients may experience a delay in receiving funds, depending on the availability of state resources. The Governor is also required to notify recipients within ninety days if a grant remains unreleased. The performance period for awarded grants begins July 1, 2026, and runs through June 30, 2027, corresponding with Hawaiʻi's fiscal year 2027. As the GIA program is an annual process, applicants not selected may reapply in subsequent years. Staff support may be limited near the deadline, so applicants are encouraged to seek assistance early to ensure timely and accurate submission.

Submit early; Review file size, naming, and unlock settings; No corrections accepted post-deadline without cover letter.