Best Grants for Museums in Hawaii

Hawaii museums and other community-based nonprofits planning new AmeriCorps programs can seek funding to design and prepare to manage future member-based service initiatives. Grants from Hawai'i Commission for National and Community Service help Hawaii organizations build capacity through planning support, training, and technical assistance, with awards up to Up to US $75,000 for evidence-informed program models.

The Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation offers grants for art and music education, primarily focused on community involvement in Santa Barbara and Hawaii. Recognized 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for funding that ranges from $2,500 to $20,000 for specific programs or general operating expenses. The foundation seeks innovative projects that engage youth and provide environmental or community benefits, currently emphasizing sustainable local food systems. Applications are by invitation only.

Hawaii manufacturers, including museum-operated production or fabrication facilities, can seek reimbursement funding for equipment, training, energy efficiency, and facility planning costs. With a mission to develop Hawaii’s technology sector, Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation provides up to US $1,500 - US $100,000 in matching support to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and growth in the state’s manufacturing sector.

Hawaii 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving youth with education, health, mentorship, or athletics programs can access funding through the National Football League (NFL) Foundation’s Pro Bowl Community Grant. Museums and cultural institutions that run youth-focused learning, wellness, or physical activity initiatives in Hawaii may be eligible to apply.

The Samuel N. & Mary Castle Foundation invites applications for its 2026 funding cycle, aimed at enhancing Native Hawaiian early education through culturally relevant programs. Eligible organizations should provide dual-language and culture-based programming for children of all races. The foundation emphasizes the importance of high-quality early education that incorporates indigenous values. Interested applicants must discuss their project plans and budgets, ensuring multiple funding sources are secured. Key deadlines for application submissions are December 22, 2025, May 4, 2026, and September 7, 2026.

The Kūpuna Aging in Place Program, supported by the Hawai'i Community Foundation, offers crucial services to help low- to moderate-income seniors age 65 and older in Hawai‘i live independently. This multi-year grant initiative funds organizations providing community support, adult day care, and caregiver services, ensuring that kūpuna and their caregivers receive necessary assistance. With over 30 years of experience, the Foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for Hawai‘i's elderly population.

Hawaii nonprofits needing capital construction funding can apply for reimbursement-based Capital Improvement Project grants to support facility projects. With a mission to strengthen community services, Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Office of Community Services provides Hawaii organizations with support when they are state-incorporated, properly licensed or accredited, and compliant with nondiscrimination and governance requirements; museums meeting these standards may be eligible.

Hawai‘i’s Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) offers vital planning and financial support to private forest landowners in Hawaii. Aimed at promoting long-term stewardship and conservation, the program provides a 10-year management roadmap and financial incentives, including up to 75% cost-share reimbursement for developing forest management plans. With a focus on enhancing forest resource values, FSP encourages diverse management objectives like native species restoration and habitat improvement, ensuring sustainable forestry practices benefit both public and private interests.

The Samuel N. & Mary Castle Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives of Hawaii's children and families through improved early education. With a focus on children aged 0-36 months, the foundation aims to support non-profits that provide vital services, including prenatal care and nutrition. For 2026, $650,000 will be allocated to initiatives that foster healthy development and equitable opportunities for low-income families, ensuring that every child has access to high-quality early education.

Organizations and beneficiary-led partnerships working to build community capacity in Hawaii’s Native Hawaiian homestead communities can seek funding for planning, governance, outreach, and internal systems. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands offers up to US $20,000 to support beneficiary-driven projects that strengthen homestead lessee communities and their long-term visions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations leading economic recovery and resilience efforts in Lahaina, Hawaii can apply for Hawai'i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund grants, with awards from US $25,000 - US $500,000. Projects should restore livelihoods, support wildfire-affected communities, and advance community-driven, culturally grounded, and environmentally responsible economic development models, including regenerative and ecotourism initiatives that museums may participate in.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible states by increasing the number of university researchers and institutions conducting relevant science and engineering research. Sponsored by the Department of Defense, this program will fund multiyear awards to promote research aligned with national security needs. Applications require a multi-stage submission process, emphasizing early registration and timely proposal submissions.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) Capacity Building opportunity aims to enhance the capabilities of university researchers in eligible states. Managed by the DoD, this initiative focuses on increasing the number of researchers capable of conducting relevant science and engineering research. The program also seeks to strengthen institutions of higher education and improve their competitiveness for federal research funding, ultimately fostering long-term growth in financial assistance for scientific research.

The Battlefield Preservation Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that preserve battlefields and related historic sites. This funding encourages planning and educational efforts, particularly those that engage new audiences in preservation activities. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits in specified states. Grants can be used for staff support, consultant fees, and educational materials. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for funding, ensuring strong community involvement in preservation efforts.

Colleges and universities in Hawaii seeking to enhance campus greening and beautification can receive Tree Campus Higher Education recognition for their tree programs. The Arbor Day Foundation supports institutions that establish a tree advisory committee, care plan, dedicated expenditures, Arbor Day observance, and a student service-learning project, which may include campus-based museums and cultural facilities.

The Hawaii Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Funds program provides financial support aimed at enhancing the quality of care for nursing home residents. These funds, generated from penalties imposed on non-compliant facilities, can be utilized for various initiatives, including resident relocation assistance, consumer involvement projects, and facility improvement efforts. This program reflects a commitment to improving care standards and ensuring the well-being of vulnerable populations in nursing homes across Hawaii.

The Matson Foundation, a corporate entity, emphasizes community involvement through charitable donations. They support a diverse range of areas including maritime conservation, education, human services, culture, and civic programs. Eligible organizations must be qualified non-profits, with a primary focus on community support where Matson operates. The foundation prioritizes projects that engage local communities, ensure sustainability, and demonstrate measurable impact, while adhering to specific eligibility and ineligibility criteria for funding.

The Firedoll Foundation, a private family foundation, focuses on five key areas: Community Development and Entrepreneurship, Immigrant Issues and Human Rights, Environmental Conservation, Middle East Peace, and support for Traumatic Brain Injury survivors. Emphasizing support for vulnerable populations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, the foundation backs projects that promote social justice and environmental sustainability. With a commitment to providing alternatives to detention and legal aid for immigrants, it aims to empower communities while addressing urgent environmental concerns.

The Hoʻākea Source Grant Program supports visual artists in Hawaiʻi, promoting Native Hawaiian values through funding of up to $10,000 for creative projects. This initiative emphasizes community engagement and collaboration, aligning with strategic priorities like stewardship of land, relationality, and systemic transformation. By funding diverse artistic endeavors, the program aims to uplift underrepresented voices and foster a vibrant cultural landscape in Hawaiʻi, ultimately enhancing the local arts ecosystem and encouraging innovative forms of expression.

The Coaching Enhancement Grant - Division II aims to enhance diversity in NCAA coaching by providing financial support for new assistant coaching positions. This grant specifically targets increased representation of ethnic minorities and women in athletics. Selected schools receive funding for three years to cover salaries and benefits, totaling $370,000 annually for up to 21 institutions. Eligible schools must be active NCAA Division II members committed to these diversity efforts.

The Smithsonian Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO) offers research grants for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career researchers. These grants support projects utilizing Forest Dynamics Sites for fieldwork and data analysis, encouraging both natural and social science research. Proposals must integrate site data and can last from 3 months to 2 years. Funding covers research-related expenses, with priorities for projects enhancing educational and capacity-building efforts.

The Strategic Alliance Matching Grant - Division II offers financial support to enhance ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles across NCAA Division II institutions. With an annual budget of $860,000, the grant aims to fund up to 20 schools and conferences each year. Eligible applicants must be active Division II members and are encouraged to collaborate with their human resources departments during the proposal process, ensuring compliance with grant requirements.

The G. N. Wilcox Trust Grant - General Operating provides funding to established 501(c)(3) organizations in Hawaii, particularly on Kauai. This grant supports various fields including arts, education, environment, health, human services, and religion. Organizations must demonstrate a strong relationship with the Trust and ensure 100% board financial participation. The Trust prioritizes sustainability and limits grant requests to one per year per organization, fostering long-term partnerships for impactful community service.

The G. N. Wilcox Trust Grant for Capital Projects supports small capital initiatives or equipment expenses under $500,000. It primarily targets 501(c)(3) organizations in Hawaii, emphasizing community service and board participation. Eligible projects include renovations and equipment purchases, while the Trust prefers to be one of several funding sources. Notably, grants are not provided for individuals, real estate purchases, or deficit funding. A single request per organization is permitted annually.

The Pacific Branch John Henry Comstock Award honors an exemplary graduate student in entomology within the Pacific Branch. This award aims to foster enthusiasm for entomology at the graduate level and encourage participation in the Pacific Branch and ESA Annual Meetings. The winner will present at the Pacific Branch Meeting and receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the ESA Annual Meeting, a $100 cash prize, and a certificate, covering airfare, hotel, registration, and per diem.

This program involves scientists, agricultural producers, and others using interdisciplinary approaches to advance sustainable agriculture at local and regional levels. With the collaboration of producers, projects must integrate rigorous research and education aiming to advance the three components of sustainable agriculture- environmental, economic, and social- and use innovative educational outreach to disseminate new knowledge to students, producers, and stakeholders. It is expected that outcomes of funded projects will result in quantifiable benefits for producers, increase the preservation of the natural resources upon which agriculture depends, and be documented in scholarly journals and disseminated through teaching and educational activities with students, producers, and other agricultural stakeholders. 

The Water and Environment Grant Program by the American Water Charitable Foundation supports innovative community projects aimed at improving watersheds, conserving water, and enhancing access to recreation in underserved areas. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions located within American Water's service areas. Projects must be completed within 12 months, and applicants should consider budget feasibility when requesting funds. Certain organizations and projects, such as those not classified as 501(c)(3), are ineligible.