Hawaii Grants

This funding opportunity supports organizations serving Native Hawaiians in enhancing library services and community wellness through various educational and cultural initiatives.

The 2025 NOAA Hawaii Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program aims to enhance environmental literacy and stewardship among K-12 students and teachers in Hawaii through hands-on learning experiences that connect them with local environmental issues, Indigenous Knowledge, and climate science.

This program provides flexible funding to local governments to improve housing, infrastructure, and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals in their communities.

This funding opportunity supports projects that create affordable housing for families in Maui earning up to 140% of the area's median income through various activities like construction and rehabilitation.

This grant provides financial support to local businesses and nonprofits in Maui County for projects that promote economic development, including cultural programs, small business initiatives, technology advancements, and workforce development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Maui County that are working to improve access to healthy food for families affected by food insecurity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Puna area of Hawai‘i to foster collaboration and enhance community resilience following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Maui County that offer mental health services or support for immigrants and migrants, helping to improve community well-being and access to essential resources.

This grant provides financial support and resources to women entrepreneurs in Hawaii, particularly those from Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Asian backgrounds, to help grow their early-stage businesses.

This grant provides funding to organizations hosting major events in Hawaii during the first half of 2025 that attract national and international visitors, promoting the state's unique culture and enhancing its tourism brand.

This program provides financial assistance to homeowners in Kaua‘i to upgrade failing cesspools to approved wastewater systems, helping to improve environmental health and sanitation.

The Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts offers the Community Arts Grants program, providing $10,000 to $100,000 in matching funds to eligible 501(c)3 organizations for projects in heritage preservation, community arts, arts education, and performing arts, aimed at promoting cultural awareness, resilience, and well-being in Hawaii's communities.

The Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program provides funding to support Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations in sustaining their cultural heritage, knowledge, and museum services. Administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the program focuses on projects that build institutional capacity, preserve Indigenous languages and cultural practices, enhance collections stewardship, and strengthen professional development for museum staff. Funded projects may include educational programming, oral history documentation, conservation treatments, exhibition development, digitization initiatives, repatriation efforts, and professional training opportunities. For fiscal year 2025, IMLS anticipates awarding approximately $3,772,000 through this program, supporting about 20 projects. Applicants may request between $5,000 and $250,000, with an average award size of $150,000. Projects can span a period of one to three years, with a start date no earlier than **July 1, 2025**. While cost share is allowed, it is not required and will not be considered in the application review process. Awards are contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of proposals submitted. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian tribes and nonprofit organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. Organizations applying as Native Hawaiian-serving nonprofits must provide documentation to confirm their nonprofit status and eligibility. Museums operating within larger institutions, such as universities or cultural centers, may apply independently if they function as discrete units with separate budgets and operations. Partnerships and collaborations with other institutions are encouraged to maximize project impact. Applicants must submit a complete application through Grants.gov by November 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Required components include a project narrative, budget form, budget justification, performance measurement plan, schedule of completion, and resumes of key personnel. The project narrative must address three main sections: project justification, work plan, and intended results. Applicants must clearly articulate the project’s goals, describe activities and timelines, and explain how project outcomes will benefit the target community or collections. Supporting documents, such as letters of commitment, conservation reports, or digital product plans, may also be included as applicable. Applications will be evaluated through a peer review process, with reviewers assessing alignment with program goals, clarity and feasibility of the work plan, qualifications of project personnel, and the potential for achieving meaningful and measurable results. For projects involving collections, reviewers will consider the anticipated improvements to their care, access, or preservation. IMLS will notify successful applicants by June 2025. Post-award requirements include regular financial and performance reporting through the IMLS grants management system, eGMS Reach. Awardees must comply with all federal regulations regarding allowable costs, reporting, and project administration. For technical assistance, IMLS program staff are available to provide guidance, and informational webinars will be offered to support applicants. Additional resources, including sample applications and program information, can be accessed on the IMLS website.

The County of Kaua’i’s Office of Economic Development (OED) is accepting applications for innovative community projects that identify and solve local problems that will aid Kaua’i’s economy to generate short-term and long-term economic growth and diversification. Donor Name: Office of Economic Development State: Hawaii County: Kauai County (HI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: OED is requesting proposals from qualified not-for-profit organizations incorporated under the laws of the State of Hawaii, non- profit organizations exempt from the federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service or a Kaua’i-based businesses with a non-profit fiscal sponsor that they have previously worked with for its Innovation Grant for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  The intent of the grant program is to deploy innovation on-island in the areas of small business, technology, transportation, agriculture, local manufacturing, creative industries, workforce development, circular economies, tourism destination management and product development. Proposals must identify a known deficiency, problem, or need within the Kaua’i community and deploy an innovative community project that will be or has been successful in other contexts. Proposals submitted shall be reviewed and considered for the receipt of funding, to applicant organizations. Funding Information OED intends to award grants of $5,000-$50,000 each for different initiatives that align with RFP Project Specifications. Total funding will be no more than $460,000. Project Period The project funding period will be November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2025.  Eligible Projects Eligible proposals include innovative new programs, or innovative new projects that advance innovation in the program areas of small business, technology, transportation, agriculture, local manufacturing, creative industries, sustainability, workforce development, circular economy, and tourism. Programs or projects currently funded with other County Grants will not be considered. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for award through this RFP, the proposer shall:  Be or have a sponsor that is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Hawaii and exempt from the federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service and based on Kaua’i. Non-profit organization governing board members shall have served without compensation and have no material conflict of interest.  Be a Hawaii based business with a Kaua’i non-profit fiscal sponsor and a project that is based 100% on Kaua’i.  Have a current Equity Plan in place and be able to describe your equity strategy going forward. Equity is defined as the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.  Both Businesses and Non-Profits must have signed, updated bylaws or policies that describe the way business is conducted including management, fiscal policies, and procedures (including a clear statement on who is allowed to sign documents on behalf of the organization), and policies on nepotism, equity, and the management of potential conflicts of interest. In addition, such bylaws must clearly state who is authorized to sign grant applications and contract for funding documents.  Have at least one (1) year of experience with the project or in the program area being offered. The Director may grant an exception to this requirement if the proposer has demonstrated the necessary experience in the program area.  Have staff or authorized representatives adequately trained to administer and provide the project described For more information, visit OED.

The County of Kaua‘i Transportation Agency will be accepting applications from Kaua‘i-based non-profit organizations for its Kaua‘i Bus Pass Outreach Program. Donor Name: County of Kaua‘i Transportation Agency State: Hawaii County: Kauai County (HI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/05/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The intent of the Kaua‘i Bus Pass Outreach Program is to provide free bus passes to low-income households and individuals with transportation needs through eligible non-profit organizations. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible, applicants must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information, visit County of Kaua‘i Transportation Agency.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations focused on restoring wetlands in Maui County, promoting environmental sustainability and community well-being.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency in Maui County, with a focus on initiatives led by women, youth, and traditional native Hawaiian practices.

This funding opportunity supports sustainable building projects and resilient housing designs, particularly those led by or benefiting women, youth, and traditional native Hawaiian practices.

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.