Hawaii grants for Nonprofits

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

This grant provides funding to educational institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies for projects that enhance agriculture and food systems in Hawaiʻi Island communities, focusing on sustainability and local food access.

The County of Maui's Green Grants program offers approximately $1.7 million in funding to support projects promoting sustainability. Managed by the Department of Environmental Management’s Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division (EP&S), the program aims to advance critical initiatives in environmental protection, restoration, and sustainable development across Maui County. This aligns with the broader mission of fostering a more resilient and environmentally conscious community. The grants target a wide range of beneficiaries, including individuals, non-profit organizations, and for-profit businesses. The program particularly encourages projects led by, or with a focus on, women, youth, and traditional native Hawaiian practices and approaches. The overall impact goal is to enhance environmental protection, restore wetlands, promote renewable energy, encourage green building, and facilitate the acquisition of essential equipment for sustainability initiatives, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable Maui County. The Green Grants program prioritizes several key areas through its distinct funding streams. These include the Environmental Protection Grant, which supports invasive species management, environmental restoration, conservation, and sustainability (with a specific allocation for Waikapū community beautification). The Wetlands Restoration Grant focuses on organizations dedicated to wetland restoration. The Renewable Energy Grant supports initiatives promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Green Building and Resilient Housing Grant encourages sustainable building practices, with a portion designated for Living Building Challenge participants. Finally, the Equipment Purchase Grant assists in acquiring necessary equipment for all sustainability and environmental initiatives. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in environmental health, increased adoption of renewable energy, more sustainable building practices, and enhanced capacity for environmental initiatives through equipment acquisition. For instance, the Wetlands Restoration Grant aims to advance critical restoration efforts, while the Renewable Energy Grant seeks to enhance energy efficiency. The Green Building and Resilient Housing Grant promotes sustainable design and construction. Measurable results would include the number of restored wetlands, reduction in invasive species, new renewable energy installations, and the implementation of green building projects. The project period for grants is a full year, with options to align with either the Fiscal Year (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025) or Calendar Year (January 1, 2025–December 31, 2025) in 2025.

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.

This funding opportunity supports youth-led conferences and workshops across the Pacific region, aimed at empowering emerging leaders aged 25 to 40 to collaboratively tackle critical regional challenges in areas such as security, food supply, digital media, and public health.

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 provides financial support to organizations serving Native Hawaiians to enhance their capacity in preventing and responding to domestic violence and family violence through culturally relevant resources and training.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit and community organizations on O‘ahu in their efforts to protect and engage the community in the conservation of the Honouliuli Preserve through projects focused on ecosystem restoration, education, and community outreach.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is offering the Micro-Grant for Food Security Program (MGFSP) for its fourth consecutive year. This program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2018 Farm Bill, has a total of $3,576,470 available. The grant aims to support small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations, aligning with a mission to enhance the quantity and quality of locally grown food, particularly in food-insecure communities. This initiative directly supports food security and local agricultural development within Hawaii. The MGFSP targets individuals, including backyard farmers, with a grant amount of $5,000 per applicant, and organizations registered to do business in Hawaii, such as Native Hawaiian groups, nonprofits, and federally funded educational facilities, with a grant amount of $10,000 per applicant. Individual applicants must be Hawaii residents, at least 18 years old, and heads of household, while previous MGFSP awardees are ineligible. Organizations receiving awards are required to provide matching funds of at least 10% of the grant amount, which cannot be derived from other federal sources. The program seeks to empower both individuals and organizations to contribute to local food production and security. The program's priorities and focus areas include small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations, and apiary. Funded activities for small-scale gardening can involve purchasing tools, equipment, soil, seeds, plants, canning equipment, refrigeration, composting equipment, and supplies for hydroponic and aeroponic farming. For small-scale herding and livestock operations, funds can be used for purchasing animals or buying, erecting, or repairing fencing. Apiary support includes bees, bee boxes, education, and expanding food markets. These diverse areas reflect a comprehensive approach to fostering local food systems. Expected outcomes of the MGFSP include an increase in the quantity and quality of locally grown food within food-insecure communities across Hawaii. Measurable results will be seen through the implementation of small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations, and apiary development. By providing financial support for essential resources and equipment, the program anticipates a direct positive impact on food self-sufficiency and the resilience of local food systems. The grant duration is four years, allowing for sustained development and the achievement of long-term goals.

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

The Kaua‘i Bus Pass Outreach Program, offered by the County of Kaua‘i Transportation Agency, aims to address transportation needs within the community. This grant program is designed to provide free bus passes to low-income households and individuals through eligible non-profit organizations. The program aligns with a broader mission of improving accessibility and supporting vulnerable populations by removing financial barriers to essential transportation. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are low-income households and individuals residing in Kaua‘i who face transportation challenges. By offering free bus passes, the program seeks to enhance their ability to access work, education, healthcare, and other vital services, ultimately improving their quality of life and promoting greater community inclusion. The impact goal is to create a more equitable transportation system that serves those most in need. The program's core priority is to ensure that eligible non-profit organizations effectively distribute bus passes to those who meet the low-income and transportation need criteria. This focus underscores the importance of leveraging established community networks to reach the intended recipients efficiently. The County of Kaua‘i Transportation Agency acts as the donor, highlighting its strategic commitment to local community welfare and public service. Expected outcomes include an increase in public transportation ridership among low-income individuals and households, a reduction in transportation-related barriers, and improved access to essential services. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the implicit goal is a quantifiable increase in the number of bus passes distributed and a positive impact on the daily lives of beneficiaries. The program operates on the theory of change that by providing direct transportation assistance, it can empower individuals and families to overcome economic hurdles and participate more fully in society.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities in Hawai‘i that implement programs designed to strengthen at-risk families and prevent children from entering the foster care system.

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

This grant provides financial support to various organizations and individuals in Hawaii to enhance the production and competitiveness of the state's specialty crop industry, including fruits, vegetables, and horticultural products.

This grant provides financial support for educational initiatives that benefit the youth and residents of American Samoa, particularly those of Polynesian descent, including programs in schools and tuition aid for students studying in Hawaii.

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.

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 offering an Innovation Grant for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. This grant aims to support innovative community projects that address and resolve local challenges, thereby stimulating both short-term and long-term economic growth and diversification in Kaua’i. The program seeks to deploy innovation across various sectors on the island, aligning with OED's mission to foster economic resilience and development within the community. The target beneficiaries for this grant include not-for-profit organizations incorporated in Hawaii and exempt from federal income tax, as well as Kaua’i-based businesses with a non-profit fiscal sponsor. The overarching impact goals are to identify and solve known deficiencies, problems, or needs within the Kaua’i community by deploying innovative projects that have demonstrated success in other contexts. This approach seeks to drive sustainable economic progress and improve the quality of life for residents. The program prioritizes projects that advance innovation in areas such as small business, technology, transportation, agriculture, local manufacturing, creative industries, workforce development, circular economies, tourism destination management, and product development. Proposals are expected to articulate a clear problem and an innovative solution. OED's strategic priority is to invest in initiatives that not only generate economic growth but also promote diversification and build a more resilient local economy. The theory of change suggests that by funding proven innovative solutions, Kaua’i can effectively address its challenges and create new opportunities. The OED intends to award grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for different initiatives, with a total funding allocation not exceeding $460,000. The project funding period is set from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of innovative programs or projects that demonstrably advance the specified program areas, leading to tangible economic benefits and community improvements. Measurable results will likely be tied to the specific objectives outlined in each funded project, contributing to the overall goals of economic growth and diversification in Kaua’i.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies in Hawaiʻi to develop projects that boost the local film and creative industries, fostering economic growth and community benefits.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and community groups in specific areas of O‘ahu for projects focused on environmental conservation, sustainability, and youth engagement.