Best Grants for Charities in Hawaii

The HHF Historic Preservation Grants support projects that restore and maintain Hawaii's historic sites, emphasizing community engagement and long-term preservation. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations committed to preserving significant historic properties. Projects must adhere to established preservation standards and demonstrate local support and funding. This initiative fosters a sense of place in Hawaii while ensuring that historic properties serve public purposes for at least a decade post-restoration.

The Critical Needs List by Community Foundation Tampa Bay addresses urgent, unforeseen needs of nonprofits that threaten their ability to serve the community. This innovative program allows nonprofits to submit requests for funding up to $250,000 for critical expenses such as emergency repairs and essential equipment replacement. With a focus on supporting local organizations, the program aims to match funding with community philanthropists, ensuring timely assistance to those in need.

The Tuition Aid Program offers grants to educational institutions in Hawaii serving children from preschool to 12th grade, excluding church schools. The program encourages schools to seek multiple funding sources and allows for one request per organization annually. Notably, schools must be accredited or actively pursuing accreditation to qualify. The program aims to support educational access while maintaining fiscal responsibility and inclusivity.

Quality Improvement Grant Request for Proposals

Optimizing Maternal RSV Immunization Delivery: A Systems-Based Quality Improvement Initiative to Improve Uptake, Equity, and Newborn Outcomes

Pfizer, in collaboration with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), is pleased to announce a competitive grant opportunity to support independent Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives focused on advancing maternal immunization, with a specific emphasis on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination during pregnancy.

This initiative builds upon insights generated from the Maternal Immunization Needs Assessment (MINA) project, a multi-stakeholder collaboration that identified persistent clinical, behavioral, and system-level gaps in the delivery and uptake of maternal vaccines.

We seek to fund projects that implement measurable, evidence-based interventions to improve real-world delivery of maternal RSV immunization across healthcare systems and care settings. Proposed initiatives should aim to optimize access, strengthen provider–patient communication training and tools, enhance care coordination, and address structural and behavioral barriers impacting vaccine uptake and equity.

Pfizer Global Medical Grants (GMG) supports the global healthcare community’s independent initiatives (e.g., research, quality improvement or education) to improve patient outcomes in areas of unmet medical need that are aligned with Pfizer’s medical and/or scientific strategies. Pfizer’s GMG competitive grant program involves a publicly posted Request for Proposal (RFP) that provides detail regarding a specific area of interest, sets timelines for review and approval, and uses an expert review panel (ERP) to make final grant decisions. Organizations are invited to submit an application addressing the specific gaps in clinical practice or care as outlined in the specific RFP.

For all QI grants, the applicant (and ultimately the grantee) will be solely responsible for the design, implementation, and conduct of the proposed initiative. Pfizer will have no involvement in project development, execution, or outcomes.

The Tree Campus Higher Education Program, initiated by the National Arbor Day Foundation, promotes sustainability and environmental stewardship in colleges across Hawaii. By participating, institutions can enhance campus beauty, improve mental health, and contribute to climate change mitigation through tree planting initiatives. The program establishes a framework for universities to achieve recognition while fostering community engagement and pride. Schools that meet specific standards can gain annual recognition, creating a greener and healthier campus environment.

The Hawaii Dental Service Foundation's Smile Fund provides grants up to $5,000 to support innovative outreach programs aimed at improving oral health in Hawaii. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations or governmental programs. Projects must be completed within 12 months, and grantees can apply once per year. The fund focuses on oral health initiatives like Dentist by One and Kupuna Smiles, while excluding individuals, endowments, and political organizations from funding.

The John M. Ross Foundation offers a Major Capital Grant to support tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations on Hawaii's Big Island. Focused on aiding teens aged 11-18, the grant prioritizes programs addressing higher needs, such as financial difficulties or limited family support. Eligible projects may receive funding for specific equipment or materials that directly benefit these youth. Fields of interest include Arts, Education, Environment, Health, Human Services, Religion, and Community.

The Strong Foundation Grant offers funding for youth-oriented programs and organizations in Hawaii, with an emphasis on major capital needs. Organizations can apply for one grant every three years, and must secure sponsorship from a Strong Foundation trustee to submit a request. This ensures that the trustee is knowledgeable about the charity's mission and can advocate on its behalf during the foundation's annual meeting.

Mission

The Foundation was established in December 2013 by Kathryn B. McQuade, after retiring from 33 years of working in the business community. I was blessed to have been born into a loving middle class family. My father worked very hard to insure that all of his children were given an opportunity for a good education and my mother, “a stay at home Mom’ was always there for us. My world was safe and comfortable. My life is in stark contrast to how much of the rest of the world lives. I continue to read of the terrible injustices waged against women and children globally and hope that this foundation can provide them the opportunity and resources to succeed. We will support organizations that help us achieve our goal of Striving to make sustainable improvements in women and children’s rights education and welfare.

Kathryn McQuade Foundation Grant

The Foundation will make timely decisions on your grant request and provide clear communications on our expectations of reporting progress.

Women

The Foundation’s goal is to provide women assistance and provide them an opportunity to succeed. Assistance can take many forms, however our goal is to help them become self sufficient and enable them to lift themselves out of poverty and provide for their children. Access to education, job training and professional skills, even access to capital in order to build a business are possible ways we will consider helping women to succeed. Grant requests should focus on enabling the women to sustain financial independence.

We look forward to hearing of the many creative ways organizations are working on helping women succeed through out the world. To help women is to help their children and the communities they live in.

Children

Too many children in the US and across the world live in poverty and lack the access to education. Education and/or appropriate skills training are necessary to break the cycle of poverty and crime. While the assistance to women may take many forms, the foundation’s focus for children will target education and/ or skills training. The Foundation is open to many ideas on how to accomplish this goal and look forward to receiving proposals to help all children achieve their potential.

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5416 - Innovative Approaches to Extend Lifetime and Minimize O&M for Nature-based Installations

Grant Information

• Identify and evaluate innovative design, construction, and management approaches that extend the functional lifetime of nature-based installations and reduce ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) requirements.
• Develop practical guidance on key factors affecting nature-based solution (NbS) longevity, including hydraulic optimization, engineered media selection and replacement, plant selection, sediment management, and construction-phase best practices.
• Survey utilities and other NbS owners to document current maintenance practices, costs, and hours, and establish benchmarks to inform targets for improvement.

The Western SARE Local Education and Demonstration Grants aim to promote sustainable agriculture through practical demonstrations and educational activities. This program addresses barriers to adopting sustainable practices by integrating findings from previous research. Projects can last up to three years and receive funding of up to $60,000. Successful proposals involve local demonstrations, trainings, and technical assistance, engaging farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals in the process of sustainable agriculture adoption.

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5424 - Adaptive Control Frameworks to Unlock Full-Scale BNR Potential

Grant Information

• Identify and categorize the dominant failure modes of current aeration and process control implementations under real-world operating conditions.
• Develop guidance on data and instrumentation requirements for utilities to support adaptive control, including the characterization of existing sensor infrastructure and the use of soft sensors where hard sensors are limited.
• Develop practical adaptive control frameworks and implementation guidance that utilities can deploy without dependence on proprietary black-box tools or specialized data science expertise, including hybrid approaches that augment conventional controls with data-driven models (e.g., artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), digital twins) for variable flow and concentration conditions.
• Benchmark control performance against biological capacity indicators across multiple full-scale facilities to quantify the gap between achievable and realized biological nutrient removal (BNR) performance.

The California Botanical Society Paul Silva Student Research Grant supports undergraduate and graduate student members conducting botanical research in western North America. Grants of up to $600 are available for projects aimed at advancing Western American botany. The funding can cover research travel, supplies, and minor equipment, with the goal of producing a professional publication. Collaborative applications are encouraged, and there are no restrictions based on citizenship.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Hawaii empower eligible organizations to assist low-income families in constructing their homes. This program promotes community involvement, where participants contribute labor while receiving crucial technical support. Funding ensures families gain essential skills and resources, facilitating their journey toward homeownership. Eligible applicants include government non-profits and federally-recognized tribes, ensuring a diverse range of support for community-driven housing solutions.

The National Trust Preservation Funds provide grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to support local preservation projects and ongoing work. These funds aim to enhance community engagement in preservation, foster technical expertise, and stimulate financial participation from the private sector. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on planning and education efforts related to preservation. The program is particularly interested in initiatives that reach new audiences and further the preservation movement.

Mayo Family Foundation

The Mayo Family Foundation, founded by Simer and Vicki Mayo in 2019, is dedicated to creating a lasting impact across the globe. With a focus on eradicating food insecurity, empowering at-risk youth, and advancing women’s equality, the Foundation strives to transform lives and foster a brighter future for all.

Domestic Focus

We envision a world where concerns about the next meal, a safe place to sleep, or access to healthcare become a thing of the past. Our goal is to provide long-term solutions that will build stronger, more resilient individuals and communities.

A child at risk is less likely to transition to adulthood successfully. Our mission is to equip our youth with the tools needed for academic achievement and job readiness. These tools are key to securing a future marked by financial stability and high hopes of becoming a positive member of society.

Grant Application

The Mayo Family Foundation (MFF) is dedicated to creating a lasting impact. Its focus is on eradicating food insecurities, women’s equality issues, and empowering at-risk youth. The foundation strives to transform lives and foster a brighter future for all.

This grant has been created to provide the funding needed to make a significant impact in two key areas: combating food insecurity and empowering at-risk youth.

We believe that by supporting dedicated nonprofit organizations like yours, we can create a lasting positive impact in our community. Together, we can ensure that no one goes hungry and that every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

The Joseph & Alice Duarte Memorial Fund, established in 2002 by Patrick Duarte, honors his parents and supports graduates of Holualoa Elementary School from Hawaii Island. This fund prioritizes applicants who demonstrate financial need and maintain good academic standing, specifically those from North or South Kona. Preference is given to previous recipients if they continue to meet eligibility criteria. The fund aims to empower local students by providing financial assistance for their educational pursuits.

The Ka'a'awa Community Fund, established by the Ka'a'awa Community Association in 1995, aims to support long-time residents of Kualoa, Ka'a'awa, Makaua, and Kahana. To qualify, applicants must be Hawaii residents in financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Preference is given to previous recipients who continue to meet these criteria. This fund exemplifies community support and encourages educational advancement among its local residents.

The Kahiau Scholarship Fund, established in 2007, aims to support students in Hawaii by providing scholarships based on financial need and academic performance. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and demonstrate community involvement related to the spirit of kahiau, meaning generous giving without expectation. Preference is given to previous recipients who continue to meet eligibility requirements. This fund fosters educational opportunities and community spirit among Hawaii's youth.

Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) 

Provides more than $1.1 billion for states and urban areas to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and other threats. 

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) - Hawaii

Provides $415 million to support the implementation of risk-driven, capabilities-based State Homeland Security Strategies to address capability targets. States are required to dedicate 35 percent of SHSP funds to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities. In the State of Hawaii, Honolulu is the designated urban area.

About DHHL

As part of the Native Hawaiian Development Program Plan, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) makes available annual grant funding to nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a purpose to benefit native Hawaiians. DHHL has offered grants in several program areas over the years as a means of implementing the community development component of the rehabilitation fund. Grant offerings reflect the department’s priorities and community interests.

Grant for Disaster Preparedness / Mitigation

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is seeking grant proposals statewide for disaster preparedness, prevention, and mitigation projects, programs and/or services in existing homesteads on Hawaiian Home Lands. Grant proposals may cover a broad range of areas in disaster preparedness and mitigation. Proposed projects may include any project related to the DHHL General Plan or listed in any HHC-approved DHHL Regional Plan, including those listed as “Potential” and/or “Priority” Projects. 

Award Period

The award is for a maximum of up to five years from the contract effective date.

Award Amounts

Subject to the availability of funds, a total of $2,000,000 in competitive funds will be provided for this solicitation using RFPs for “improvements to facilities located in existing homesteads.” The maximum grant proposal amount for this RFP-26-HHL-005 is $1,000,000. 

Crime Victim Compensation Commission

The Crime Victim Compensation Commission (Commission) was created in 1967 by the Hawai‘i Legislature to alleviate the physical, mental and financial hardships suffered by victims of violent crime. The Commission provides compensation to victims of violent crimes for their crime-related injuries and losses, and to “Good Samaritans” for injuries or property damage suffered in the prevention of a crime or apprehension of a criminal. 

Crime Victim Compensation Program

Benefits

The Commission is a payor of last resort and provides compensation for the following unreimbursed expenses:

• Medical and mental health counseling expenses that are not covered by other sources.
• Lost earnings or support that is not covered by other sources.
• Funeral and burial expenses that are not covered by other sources.
• Acknowledgement award for victims only. Acknowledgement awards are symbolic in nature and are awarded to acknowledge a victim’s suffering. Such awards are not intended to quantify physical and/or emotional losses suffered as the result of a crime.
• Pecuniary loss directly resulting from the injury or death of the victim.
• Property damage (“Good Samaritans” only).

The Commission is a payor of last resort. The Commission may pay compensation only after all other sources have been exhausted. An award may be reduced by amounts received from Workers’ Compensation, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Civil Suits, Temporary Disability Insurance or Restitution from the offender. You must file timely claims with Workers’ Compensation, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Temporary Disability Insurance and your medical insurance carrier. You must reimburse the Commission if you receive moneys from these sources.

How do I apply for compensation?

Report the crime to law enforcement officials (police, naval investigative service, military police or Federal Bureau of Investigation) without undue delay. Obtain an application by downloading the document, or by contacting the Crime Victim Compensation Commission (Commission) office. Submit your application to the Commission within 18 months of the crime date. Applications will only be accepted after 18 months if there is a good cause letter from a physician or therapist.

The Bonnycastle Fellowship for Wetland and Waterfowl Research supports graduate students in advancing conservation efforts. Offered by Ducks Unlimited, this fellowship provides up to $17,000 annually for research and personal support. The fellowship emphasizes the importance of research originality, ecological contributions, and feasibility. It is open to all North American graduate students, with a preference for doctoral candidates. The award is renewable for PhD students up to two years, and once for Master's students, contingent on satisfactory progress.

The Nancy Saunders Medical Education Fund, established in 2019, aims to support graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in medicine, including MDs, DOs, PAs, and NPs. Applicants must be Hawaii residents, demonstrate financial need, and maintain full-time enrollment at accredited institutions. Preference is given to those with a minimum GPA of 3.0, residents of Maui, and individuals intending to practice in Maui post-graduation. This fund seeks to enhance medical education accessibility for dedicated students.

The Nathalie Y. Lee Scholarship Fund, established in 2022, provides financial support to students pursuing higher education in Hawaii. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, and be residents of Hawaii. Preference is given to full-time students of Chinese ancestry, first-generation college attendees, and those who have been involved in the foster care system. Previous recipients may reapply if they continue to meet eligibility requirements.

The F26AS00104 State ANS Management Plan 2026 aims to combat aquatic nuisance species through pre-proposals followed by full applications. Managed by the US Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, this initiative requires a 25% cost-share and limits administrative costs to 5%. Applications are due by October 14, 2026, though the funding opportunity closes on December 16, 2026. The plan is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and supporting a coordinated national approach to invasive species management.

The Oscar & Rosetta Fish Fund, established by a dedicated couple from Hawaii, supports students pursuing higher education in Business Administration. Eligible applicants must reside in Hawaii, demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, and attend any University of Hawaii campus except Manoa. Preference is given to previous recipients who continue to meet these criteria and maintain good academic standing. This fund aims to empower young individuals and foster academic success.