Ka Papa o Kākuhihewa Fund

The Community Grants Program, administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF), provides targeted project or program-based funding to nonprofit organizations that serve communities across Hawai‘i. The program is funded through several distinct community funds: Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund (Kauaʻi), ‘Ewa Beach Community Fund, Kahuku Community Fund, Kahuku Wind Community Fund, Ka Papa O Kākuhihewa Fund (all O‘ahu), and the Lāna‘i Community Benefit Fund. Each fund has its own geographic and thematic focus, and applications are reviewed by Advisory Committees that align recommendations with the priorities of the respective funds. The Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund supports a broad spectrum of initiatives in Kaua‘i, including those related to people, flora, fauna, arts, education, health, sciences, and human services. The ‘Ewa Beach Community Fund emphasizes enhancing the quality of life in the ‘Ewa area, prioritizing youth and elderly-focused programs conducted by local or partner organizations, especially those that cover program rather than personnel costs. The Kahuku Community Fund targets initiatives in the geographic district from Turtle Bay to Malaekahana, focusing on education, recreation, economic self-sufficiency, health care, and cultural preservation. The Kahuku Wind Community Fund supports charitable purposes for the North Shore area from Hau‘ula to Turtle Bay, addressing a broad range of community needs. The Ka Papa O Kākuhihewa Fund, targeting areas identified by zip codes 96707 and 96792, promotes environmental conservation and sustainability. Eligible projects include environmental education, renewable energy, land preservation, and intergenerational learning, with an emphasis on youth and local economic support. The Lāna‘i Community Benefit Fund supports the enrichment of life on Lāna‘i through educational, cultural, and recreational activities, particularly for youth, young adults, and seniors. Eligibility is open to nonprofit and fiscally-sponsored organizations, community-serving groups, programs of churches, and projects of Hawai‘i DOE schools. Applicants must align with the priorities of the specific fund(s) they apply to and must submit separate applications for each fund. Applicants with overdue HCF grant reports are ineligible. Each organization may submit one application per fund per year. Grants generally do not exceed $10,000, with preference for larger awards going to 501(c)(3) organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor. The application is submitted online through HCF’s Grants Portal and includes organizational certification and detailed program and financial information. The application consists of four main sections: Program Overview, Program Information, Budget, and Supporting Documents & Certification. Applicants must submit a range of documentation, including financial statements, organizational profiles, and specific descriptions of their proposed programs, outcomes, and alignment with fund priorities. The final deadline for application submission is Monday, May 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. HST. Contact persons for fund-specific inquiries are Maggie Pulver for the Lāna‘i Fund, Uri Martos for the Kaua‘i Fund, and Kehau Meyer for the O‘ahu-based funds. General and technical assistance is also available through dedicated HCF email contacts and a support ticket system.