Best Grants for Museums in Hawaii

The WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects program invites eligible entities to secure funding for initiatives that enhance water resource management across various sectors, including conservation, infrastructure improvement, and watershed restoration. Priority is given to projects that collaboratively address community needs and yield significant environmental benefits. This funding opportunity aligns with federal priorities aimed at optimizing resource use and improving grant oversight, as outlined in recent executive orders.

The Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects, funded by the US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, invites proposals for innovative water reuse solutions. This program enhances water supply reliability and supports sustainable practices for urban and agricultural communities. By leveraging Federal and non-Federal resources, the initiative aims to address water scarcity and improve hydropower reliability, aligning with national priorities for energy and resource management.

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. 

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.

The Women’s Fund of Hawaii provides grants to programs that empower women and girls across the state. With a focus on financial security, leadership, and addressing barriers such as homelessness and health issues, the fund aims to uplift the community. Prioritizing projects that reflect its core values, the fund supports initiatives led by women for women, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and represented. This commitment fosters a supportive environment for growth and self-determination in Hawaii.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in Hawaii offers essential funding for developing vital community facilities in rural areas, benefiting local populations. Eligible projects include healthcare facilities, public safety services, and community support services. This program primarily serves rural areas with populations under 20,000, ensuring that funds are allocated based on community needs and income levels. The program facilitates improvements that enhance the quality of life and community infrastructure in these underserved areas.

What is Sea Grant?

Founded in 1968, the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) is part of a national network of 34 programs that engage in the better understanding, conservation, and use of coastal ecosystems. Hawaiʻi Sea Grant works in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi’s prestigious School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to identify Hawaiʻi’s key environmental management issues and guide cutting-edge scientific research to address these challenges.

Pacific Islands Coastal Health Fellowship Program (PICH)

The Pacific Islands Coastal Health Fellowship is a place-based program for recent graduates from the Pacific Islands who want to return home and gain meaningful, hands-on experience in environmental and community work. Fellows will be placed with organizations in Hawaiʻi, American Samoa, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and/or Guam. Placement is dependent on fit between applicant and host organization.

Coordinated by the Hawai‘i Sea Grant Center for Pacific Ocean and Island Health and the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing Systems (PacIOOS), the fellowship places early-career professionals full-time within local government agencies or community organizations working on projects related to fisheries and coastal health. Fellows will work in partnership with participating government agencies or community-serving institutions to work on priorities identified by those agencies and their communities. Focus areas include fisheries, ciguatera, water quality, marine debris, and human health, reflecting the everyday land–sea issues island communities face.

Fellows can expect to gain skills in research, management, outreach, and education. They will receive professional training and support throughout their fellowship period. This fellowship should equip recent graduates to transition into graduate school or into a meaningful career at the conclusion of the year. We hope they will build lasting relationships with host organizations and mentors that will support long-term collaborations and project support.

About DHHL Grants

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 Program Implementation located in Existing Homesteads

DHHL is seeking grant proposals statewide for improvements to facilities located in existing homesteads on Hawaiian Home Lands. The facility must serve existing homestead communities and benefit DHHL homestead lessees. Proposed projects may include but are not limited to any project listed in any HHC-approved DHHL Regional Plan, including those listed as "Potential" or "Priority" Projects. 

Projects may include but are not limited to all project phases: planning, due diligence, design, construction for infrastructure, and community facilities in existing homesteads. Projects must benefit DHHL homestead lessees in implementing their homestead visions as described in DHHL Regional Plans. Partnerships and teams of DHHL beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, including individuals and organizations, are encouraged to apply. Projects must be beneficiary-driven, demonstrate beneficiary leadership and assistance, and benefit existing DHHL homestead lessees.

About Us

Our Vision

We envision an equitable and vibrant Hawai‘i where all of our island communities thrive.

Our Mission

We inspire generosity, advocate for equity, forge connections and invest in community to create a better Hawai‘i.

Strengthening Hawai‘i’s Communities

Indigenous Knowledge and Culture

HCF is committed to perpetuating Indigenous knowledge and culture rooted in this place. By supporting the passing of knowledge across generations, we strengthen connections to ʻāina and community well‑being. Through targeted grantmaking and partnerships, HCF invests in organizations that bridge ancestral knowledge from the past to the present and future - ensuring it endures for generations.

Huakaʻi Travel Grants Funding Opportunity

To advance the long-term vision of perpetuating Indigenous knowledge and culture by expanding access to Native Hawaiian cultural experiences, HCF offers the Huaka‘i Travel Grants funding opportunity.

The Huaka‘i Travel Grants will provide up to $5,000 to Hawai‘i-based organizations to bring participants to meaningful opportunities to connect with Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, or important locations within the state. Examples might include bringing youth in an after-school program to a significant Native Hawaiian cultural place to learn moʻolelo and oli, bringing participants to ʻāina-based activities to learn about traditional mala, or supporting travel for kumu to attend workshops to further their knowledge.

• To increase access to activities and events related to Indigenous knowledge and practices for organizations and individuals that would otherwise experience barriers to attending in person.
• To increase engagement with Indigenous knowledge and practices to the benefit of organizations, individuals, and the broader community.
• To support the perpetuation of Indigenous knowledge and practices.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Hawaii and the Western Pacific provides essential funding for clean drinking water systems, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and storm water drainage in eligible rural areas. The program aims to support households and businesses that cannot access commercial credit on reasonable terms. Eligible applicants include local governments, private nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes, ensuring improved public health and environmental sustainability.

The Rural Arts Initiative Grant Program, established by the Laura Jane Musser Fund, aims to support nonprofit arts organizations in rural communities. The program encourages access to the arts through scholarships, community engagement, and innovative activities. Priority is given to organizations located in areas with populations under 20,000, ensuring that artistic opportunities are available to both adults and children. Applications are accepted for one year of funding, with potential for up to three consecutive years.

The Intercultural Harmony Initiative Grant, provided by the Laura Jane Musser Fund, supports collaborative projects that foster understanding and cooperation among diverse cultural groups. With funding up to $25,000 for implementation and $5,000 for planning, the initiative prioritizes projects that engage various community members, enhance intercultural communication, and demonstrate tangible benefits. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and local governments in select states, with a focus on grassroots participation and addressing community needs.

Museums and other community-based organizations in Hawaii working on marine or ocean conservation advocacy can access funding to build their policy and organizing capacity. Grants from Hawai'i Community Foundation support participation in a one-year Community Advocacy Cohort, with awards up to US $10,000 to strengthen effective advocacy for nearshore marine resource management.

The Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) SMART Grant aims to enhance early care and education systems in the U.S. by supporting targeted investments in technology and data analytics. This initiative, led by the Administration for Children and Families, encourages states to improve program quality, family choice, and data-driven decision-making for children from birth to five years old. The funding is designed to create measurable outcomes and strengthen coordination within the mixed-delivery system.

The Alaska Airlines Foundation Grant supports youth in underserved areas of Alaska and Hawaii, focusing on empowering young people through career exploration, mentorship, and skill development. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000, prioritizing organizations that demonstrate partnership and sustainability. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that do not discriminate based on protected categories. Funds should be utilized within a year, with grants not exceeding 10% of the organization's budget or 50% of the program budget.

Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

The mission of the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) is to promote, perpetuate, and preserve culture and the arts in Hawai‘i. SFCA funding is provided by the State of Hawai‘i and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Outreach Initiative Program

The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) provides public funds through the Outreach Initiative Program to support statewide touring and outreach activities that increase opportunities for individuals to experience different forms of artistic and cultural expression and engagement. The program supports the SFCA Strategic Priority Hoʻākoakoa (convene, to call together) to build community capacity for creativity, communication, and learning.

Program Scope

Administer a statewide touring program providing arts and culture outreach activities to under-served communities including, but not limited to, rural, socio-economic disadvantaged, geographically disadvantaged, programs for disadvantaged youth, programs for Native or immigrant populations, and activities involving individuals with varying abilities. The touring and outreach activities must be accessible. Activities must occur in person at public spaces, senior centers, public libraries, public housing communities, or a hybrid of online/streaming. The Outreach Initiative Program must provide activities to at least three (3) islands, including outreach to rural and/or under-served communities.

Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

The mission of the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) is to promote, perpetuate, and preserve culture and the arts in Hawai‘i. SFCA funding is provided by the State of Hawai‘i and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Community Arts Grant Program

The Community Arts Grants program (previously called Biennium Grants) supports eligible nonprofit 501(c)3 arts and culture organizations throughout the state. The grant awards funding to organizations supporting programs and projects that advance the arts, culture, and the humanities in the lives of the people of Hawaiʻi.

The legal provisions of the Community Arts Grants are in Sections 9-11 through 9-18 of the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes. Each fiscal biennium grant budget is contingent on the State fiscal biennium and appropriations from the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. Grants awarded are subject to available funding for the fiscal year.

Grant Categories

Applicants may submit an application for a project to one of the following categories that align with the SFCA Strategic Priorities 2019-2023. Applicants can apply for one or both fiscal years, and the category and project can be the same or different for each year.

• Heritage/Preservation: Heritage and Preservation (Culture) projects are well grounded in the history of Hawaii and the living cultures in Hawaii. Amplify Hawaiian cultural arts, history, and heritage and support communities to advance cultural knowledge, build cultural capacity, and preserve cultural legacies.

• Community Arts, Community Development, Arts and Healing: Community Arts, Community Development, Arts & Healing (Engagement). Art-based community development projects that increase the creative capacity of rural communities and enhance opportunities to experience culture and the arts statewide and within rural communities and underserved populations.

• Arts Education: Arts Education (Education) provides educational opportunities in any arts discipline for arts in the school environment, out-of-school learning, Early Childhood Development, adult life-long learning, and professional development.

• Presenting & Performing Arts: Literacy Arts, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Performing Arts (The Arts). Projects support programs or activities of organizations that present artists in performances, exhibitions, in-residency settings, online format, and televised broadcasts. 

A Community Arts Grant can be requested in the amount of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. A 1:1 match is required. This is a reimbursement grant program.

The Dorrance Family Foundation focuses on enhancing community quality of life through education and conservation initiatives. It funds tax-exempt organizations based in Arizona, California, and the Island of Hawai'i, targeting projects in arts, children's health, animal welfare, and sustainable agriculture. The foundation prioritizes organizations with a history of commitment to their mission. They do not support individuals, ensuring grants are directed towards impactful community projects.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofit organizations in Hawaii can seek funding for rehabilitation or restoration projects that preserve historic buildings or sites and serve a public or community purpose. With a mission to support historic preservation, Historic Hawai'i Foundation provides US $10,000 - US $100,000 to projects with strong local backing and long-term preservation commitments.

Hawai‘i Sea Grant, part of a national network established in 1966, promotes the understanding and stewardship of marine and coastal resources through applied research, outreach, and education. The upcoming Biennial Research Competition focuses on critical research tracks including Island Sustainability and Resilience, Ocean Acidification, and Aquaculture. By supporting multidisciplinary initiatives, Hawai‘i Sea Grant aims to address pressing public concerns and disseminate valuable information across Hawai‘i and the Pacific.

The 2025 Pacific Islands Indigenous Science Competition, hosted by Hawai‘i Sea Grant, invites proposals that center Indigenous methodologies for co-managing coastal and marine resources. With funding available between $25,000 and $50,000 for 3 to 6 selected projects, the initiative aims to enhance resource stewardship, community governance, and cultural practices. This opportunity encourages research that integrates Indigenous knowledge and ecological concerns, fostering collaborations that promote resilient communities across the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands.

The Hawaii Sea Grant: Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) offers undergraduates the chance to engage in ocean sciences research and environmental studies in Hawaii and the Pacific. Running from June 8 to August 14, this full-time program pairs students with mentors from various institutions. Participants will gain hands-on experience, attend workshops, and present their findings at a symposium, all while receiving a $7,000 stipend to support their research efforts.

The Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards, overseen by the Family Caregiver Alliance, recognize organizations that enhance support for family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. These awards highlight innovative approaches in three categories: Creative Expression, Increasing Access and Reducing Stigma, and Public Policy. Each award is valued at $20,000, and applicants must be non-profit organizations, government agencies, or universities operating within the U.S. that focus on the needs of unpaid caregivers.

The GIFT Foundation of Hawaii, established in 2003, supports charitable organizations across Hawaii by empowering young professionals to engage in philanthropy. Through an annual charity event, the foundation grants funds to selected local projects that focus on youth education, startup initiatives, and sustainable community impacts. They prioritize proposals demonstrating leadership and financial viability, ensuring a lasting benefit to the Hawaiian community. The foundation aims to inspire and motivate young adults to contribute to meaningful causes.

The AlohaCare Scholarships program, managed by the AlohaCare Foundation, provides financial support for AlohaCare members and their families pursuing careers in healthcare or social services. Eligible applicants can receive up to $10,000 to assist with educational expenses such as tuition, books, and testing fees. The initiative aims to tackle challenges in healthcare access and workforce development in Hawaiʻi, fostering a stronger community dedicated to serving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

The Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship, awarded by Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, supports first and second-year medical students conducting research over 2 to 12 months. With a total funding of $7,000, students can receive reimbursement for travel expenses up to $1,000 for presenting their findings at national conferences. Eligibility requires enrollment in schools with active AΩA chapters, while those taking a year off for research or holding a PhD are ineligible.

The Kokua Giving Program, funded by Alexander & Baldwin, aims to enhance the quality of life in Hawaii communities through charitable contributions. It focuses on supporting organizations that address significant community needs, especially in health, education, and social equity. Applications are accepted year-round, with large requests considered bi-annually. The program is dedicated to fostering community engagement and providing essential support to local initiatives.