Hawaii Grants

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Hawaiʻi for projects that enhance the community's welfare in areas such as arts, education, environment, and human services.

The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and Kamehameha Schools are excited to announce the Ko‘olau Pilina Fund. Donor Name: Harold K.L. Castle Foundation State: Hawaii Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The purpose of the Koʻolau Pilina Fund (the fund) is to build community resilience in the Koʻolau region and follows a participatory approach to grantmaking in which a committee made up of Ko‘olau community members will vet proposals through an open, rolling application process. The committee hopes to help derisk new ideas, help to build capacity in the region and progress grassroots community efforts. Now in itʻs third year, the fund prioritizes projects specifically tailored to Ko‘olau communities on Oʻahu from Kahuku to Makapuʻu. Funding Priorities  The Pilina Fund Committee will prioritize projects that create more opportunities for: Strong families Supportive, safe, and prepared communities Interacting with ʻāina, farming, and food security in the region Improved health and wellbeing Community-based education and learning. Funding Information Request between $3,000 and $15,000. Program Requirements  The fund prioritizes projects tailored to Koʻolau communities and proposals must: Show alignment to Pilina Fund Values and Priorities; Come from or are sponsored by an organization with IRS 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status; Not duplicate program grants by the Castle Foundation. For more information, visit HKLCF.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations working on community-driven projects that enhance equitable access to services and strengthen resilience in West Hawai‘i.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in East Hawai‘i that are working on community projects related to education, health care, economic sufficiency, and recreational activities.

The County of Maui is accepting applications for its Green Grants to provide substantial funding—approximately $1.7 million—to support projects that promote sustainability. Donor Name: County of Maui State: Hawaii County: Maui County (HI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Green Grants program is managed by the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division (EP&S). Projects led by—or with a focus on—women, youth, and traditional native Hawaiian practices and approaches are highly encouraged.  Starting July 12, 2024, applications are being accepted for the following grants: Environmental Protection Grant: Supports initiatives in invasive species management, environmental restoration, conservation and sustainability. A total of $490,000 is available for FY25, with a specific allocation of up to $10,000 for Waikapū community beautification projects.  Wetlands Restoration Grant: Funds organizations dedicated to wetland restoration in Maui County, offering $800,000 in FY25 to advance critical restoration efforts.  Renewable Energy Grant: Supports initiatives promoting renewable energy and enhancing energy efficiency throughout Maui County. FY25 provides $100,000 to support projects in this area.  Green Building and Resilient Housing Grant: Encourages sustainable building practices and resilient housing design and construction. FY25 funding is $100,000, with up to $56,000 designated for projects participating in the Living Building Challenge.  Equipment Purchase Grant: Assists organizations in acquiring essential equipment necessary for sustainability and environmental initiatives across all funding streams and limits mentioned above. Project Period Grants run for a full year, with options to align projects either by Fiscal Year (FY) or Calendar Year (CY) in 2025:  Fiscal Year (FY) 2025: July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025  Calendar Year (CY) 2025: January 1, 2025–December 31, 2025 Eligibility Criteria Funding is open to individuals, non-profit organizations, and for-profit businesses. For more information, visit County of Maui.

The County of Maui is accepting applications for its Green Grants to provide substantial funding—approximately $1.7 million—to support projects that promote sustainability. Donor Name: County of Maui State: Hawaii County: Maui County (HI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Green Grants program is managed by the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division (EP&S). Projects led by—or with a focus on—women, youth, and traditional native Hawaiian practices and approaches are highly encouraged.  Starting July 12, 2024, applications are being accepted for the following grants: Environmental Protection Grant: Supports initiatives in invasive species management, environmental restoration, conservation and sustainability. A total of $490,000 is available for FY25, with a specific allocation of up to $10,000 for Waikapū community beautification projects.  The Green Grants program is managed by the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management's Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division (EP&S). It provides substantial funding—approximately $1.7 million—to support projects that promote sustainability. Projects led by—or with a focus on—women, youth, and traditional native Hawaiian practices and approaches are highly encouraged. Project Period Grants run for a full year, with options to align projects either by Fiscal Year (FY) or Calendar Year (CY) in 2025:  Fiscal Year (FY) 2025: July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025  Calendar Year (CY) 2025: January 1, 2025–December 31, 2025 Eligibility Criteria Funding is open to individuals, non-profit organizations, and for-profit businesses. For more information, visit County of Maui.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is currently accepting applications for the popular Micro-Grant for Food Security Program (MGFSP). Donor Name: Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) State: Hawaii County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: This is the fourth year of the grant program which provides support for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food-insecure communities. A total of $3,576,470 is available for this year’s program which was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2018 Farm Bill. Examples of the types of activities that may be funded under this grant include: Small-Scale Gardening – purchase tools or equipment, soil, seeds, plants, canning equipment, refrigeration, composting equipment, towers, hydroponic and aeroponic farming. Small-Scale Herding and Livestock Operations – purchase animals, buy, erect or repair fencing for livestock. Apiary – bees and bee boxes, education, expanding food markets. Eligibility Criteria  This year’s program is open to: Individuals, including backyard farmers – for the amount set at $5,000 per applicant. Applicants must be Hawai‘i resident, at least 18 years old and head of the household. Those previously granted awards under the MGFSP are ineligible. Organizations that are registered to do business in Hawai‘i, including Native Hawaiian, nonprofits, federally funded educational facilities – for the amount set at $10,000 per applicant. Organizations receiving awards will be required to provide matching funds of at least 10% of the grant award. The matching funds cannot be derived from other federal sources. For more information, visit Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

This program provides financial assistance to individuals and organizations in Hawai’i to promote local food production and enhance food security through gardening, livestock, and apiary projects.

1) Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time.2) Project Title: Comprehensive Stranding Investigations for High Priority Marine Mammal Species in the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, Navy US Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.3) Brief Description of Anticipated Work: Providing technical natural resource support to assist the Navy in efforts of comprehensive stranding investigations for priority species such as beaked whales, false killer whales and pygmy killer whales as well as secondary priority species such as dwarf and pygmy sperm whales, melon-headed whales, pilot whales and humpback whales are needed by Navy. This critical information is required for environmental compliance documents, consultations, and public education and outreach. This requires mounting an immediate response to each newly reported stranding event that occurs over the project duration and conducting extensive necropsy examinations, including histopathology, disease surveillance, and tissue sampling in support of numerous research efforts aimed at better understanding Hawaiian and Mariana cetaceans.4) Period of Performance: Base period - 12 months from date of award. Follow-on (FO) periods - Four 12-month FO periods5) Please send responses or direct questions to:Nicholas A. ApreaGrants SpecialistUSACE, Fort Worth DistrictEmail: Nicholas.a.aprea@usace.army.milKathy S. MitchellProject ManagerUSACE, Fort Worth DistrictEmail: kathy.s.mitchell@usace.army.mil6) Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: 30 calendar days from date posted

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations, schools, and community groups in Hawaii to develop and sustain urban forestry projects that promote tree planting, care, and education while emphasizing equity and environmental justice.

This grant provides funding for community projects in Hawaii that promote the benefits of trees and engage residents in tree care and conservation activities.

1) Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time3) Brief Description of Anticipated Work: Land Management and Environmental Services for U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii and U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii Island, Hawaii.4) Period of Performance: Base period: 12 months from date of Award with Four 12-month Follow-on periods.5) Please send responses or direct questions to:Nicholas A. ApreaGrants SpecialistUSACE, Fort Worth DistrictEmail: nicholas.a.aprea@usace.army.milGreg BonnellProject ManagerUSACE, Fort Worth DistrictEmail: gregory.w.bonnell@usace.army.mil6) Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: 30 calendar days from date posted

The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in evaluating the efficacy of Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) as a mosquito population suppression control strategy designed to disrupt the avian malaria disease cycle. The CESU partner will develop statistical models that incorporate capture rates of Southern house mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus) and the prevalence of Plasmodium relictum in mosquito samples to characterize the efficacy of the IIT project and disease pressure on Hawaiian forest birds in critical forest bird habitat. Another component of this research will be to develop a high-throughput, next-generation sequencing technique to quantify the prevalence of avian malaria and test whether that approach is comparable to quantitative PCR-based avian malaria assays.

The Nareit Hawaii Community Giving Initiative focuses on innovative solutions to the affordable housing crisis in Hawaii. This initiative supports projects that enhance or develop affordable housing options. Grant Guidelines: Scope: Proposals from Hawaii nonprofits that are involved in capital improvement projects for affordable housing. This includes renovations, repairs, major maintenance, new construction, land acquisition, and utility modifications. Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, not classified as private foundations. The organization should serve the local community in Hawaii. Alignment with the initiative's goal of supporting affordable housing nonprofits and programs is required. Application Process: Form: Applications must be completed via the electronic application form. Requirement: Proposals must align with the described initiatives for affordable housing projects. Submittal Timing/Deadlines: Availability: Applications can be submitted starting May 6. Deadline: All applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm on July 1, 2024. There is only one grant cycle per year. Notification: All applicants will receive written confirmation that their submission has been received and is under review. Grant awardees will be notified by August 30, 2024. This initiative offers significant support to organizations that are making strides in addressing the critical issue of affordable housing in Hawaii through substantial and impactful projects.

The State of Hawai`i has established aggressive renewable energy goals, including potential offshore wind development, to reduce fossil fuel dependence. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) oversees the development of offshore renewable energy on the nations outer continental shelf (OCS) and is mandated to preserve historic and cultural resources that may be impacted by its approved actions. BOEM is required under multiple statutes (as referenced in the below Background section) to take into consideration the impacts of OCS activities on cultural resources and Traditional Cultural Places.The purpose of this study is to provide critical information to BOEM in support of its offshore historic preservation responsibilities. The project will have three primary components: 1) compile data from archival and secondary sources of known, reported, and potential traditional cultural landscapes and cultural resources near the islands of O`ahu and Moloka`i, specifically focusing on the Ka`iwi Channel; 2) compile and summarize appropriate ethnographic information from Native Hawaiian communities regarding types of traditional use areas and traditional cultural places that could be impacted by offshore development; and 3) refine or develop guidance documents that identify Best Practices and protocols for engaging with Native Hawaiian communities, respecting traditional Indigenous Knowledge and including appropriate selected elements of traditional knowledge within the NHPA and NEPA review processes.This information will support recent Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Indigenous Knowledge and other Federal efforts related to Indigenous Knowledge; is necessary under Section 106 of the NHPA, which requires that federal agencies must apply the National Register Criteria to places that may be affected by a federal undertaking; and will also be used to support reviews under NEPA and other federal laws.See related documents for questions and responses submitted after publishing.

This grant provides financial support to local organizations in Waipahu, Hawaii, to improve educational, cultural, health, and recreational opportunities for youth, while also addressing issues like juvenile delinquency and promoting community enrichment.

The NIST-Hawaii Partnership in Plastic Pollution Research is seeking applications from eligible applicants to establish an institutional award, as described in the Department of Commerce Grants and Cooperative Agreements Manual, Chapter 6.A.2 (20 April 2021), for activities to partner on the nations priority plastic pollution research with efforts focusing on the Hawaiian Island region. Eligible applicants should describe how they can host and interact with at least three NIST scientists with office, laboratory and other appropriate facilities to perform multi-disciplinary plastic pollution research with the intent to establish a long-term partnership between NIST and the recipient, as discussed in Section I.1. The proposal should also include a description of administrative, research and outreach/educational support that would be offered by the applicant in the partnership to achieve world-class research in the field of plastic pollution.

This grant provides financial support to Hawaii-based charitable organizations focused on education, health and human services, community affairs, and the arts, encouraging community engagement and volunteerism.

Capital requests will ONLY be accepted at the July deadline for consideration by the board at their September meeting. Capital requests are for tangible assets that are depreciated, for example equipment, vehicles, buildings, etc. Please see the addendum for large capital requests for more detailed information on requirements. The Foundation’s average capital grant award is ~$38,000. Grant renewed every year. 2024 Grant annual deadlines: January 5th, April 1st, July 1st, October 1st.

The Atherton Family Foundation awards grants to programs benefiting the people of Hawai‘i across various areas, including arts, culture, humanities, community development, education, environment, health, human services, spiritual development, and youth development. The Foundation prioritizes collaborative efforts aimed at systemic change and supports both program and capital requests. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual deadlines: January 5th, April 1st, July 1st, October 1st.