Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Hawaii

The Sam and Pauline Suemi Leong Scholarship Fund, established in 2016 by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, supports students pursuing higher education in Hawaii. This renewable scholarship is awarded based on financial need and academic performance, with average awards around $6,000. Eligible applicants must be Hawaii residents, first-generation college students, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This initiative aims to empower local students and foster educational opportunities within the community.

The Ouida Mundy Hill Memorial Fund, established in 2001, offers scholarships to Hawaii students demonstrating financial need and academic excellence. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be residents of Hawaii. Preference is given to previous awardees who continue to meet eligibility criteria. This fund aims to support the educational journey of deserving students, ensuring they have access to post-secondary education opportunities.

The Safeway Foundation Hawaii Scholarship Fund, established by the Safeway Foundation in 2008, supports Hawaii residents pursuing college education in the state. With awards ranging from $1,000 to several thousand dollars, the average scholarship is approximately $6,000. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be residents of Hawaii. Preference is given to past recipients and those connected to Safeway Hawaii.

The Kahala Nui A'o Scholarship Fund, established by the Kahala Nui Residents Association in 2006, offers financial assistance to employees and their dependents of Kahala Senior Living Community, Inc. pursuing post-secondary education. Eligible applicants must have six months of employment, demonstrate financial need, and meet admission criteria. Preference is given to prior recipients and those studying health-related fields while attending institutions on Oʻahu, contributing to community well-being and educational advancement.

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.

The Oahu Filipino Community Council Golf Scholarship Fund, established in 2003, supports Hawaii residents of Filipino ancestry. Applicants must maintain a 2.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and be residents of Hawaii. Preference is given to previous recipients who continue to meet eligibility criteria. This initiative fosters educational advancement within the Filipino community, encouraging academic excellence and financial support to eligible students pursuing their goals.

The Nick Van Pernis Scholarship Fund, established in memory of Nick Van Pernis, supports students from Hawaii's west side pursuing degrees in Marine Science, Biotechnology, Health Sciences, or Early Childhood Education. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, and engage in community service. Preference is given to prior recipients who continue to meet requirements. This fund aims to empower students to positively impact the lives of Hawaii residents through their chosen careers.

The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) aims to protect coastal communities through nature-based solutions, enhancing habitats while addressing the growing threats of climate change. Established in 2018, the fund focuses on restoring vital ecosystems like marshes and reefs to mitigate flooding impacts. With rising sea levels and increasing storm intensity, NCRF invests in community-led projects that foster resilience, ensuring both people and wildlife can adapt to changing environmental conditions.

The Neil Tepper Scholarship Fund, established in 2012, aims to support Hawai'i residents facing financial need while pursuing a four-year college degree. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, demonstrate academic merit, and attend an accredited institution. The fund also favors recipients who were awarded the scholarship in the previous year, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria. This initiative reflects Neil Tepper's legacy in fostering education and personal growth in the community.

The Environmental Initiative Grant Program by the Laura Jane Musser Fund aims to support public and nonprofit entities in enhancing the ecological integrity of open spaces. It promotes community involvement in planning and implementing projects that improve quality of life and public health while protecting ecosystems. Grants range from $8,000 for planning to $35,000 for implementation, targeting projects in specific states, fostering sustainability, and ensuring active local participation.

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 Naomi June Nishida Scholarship Fund, established in 2016 by the Nishida family, supports students from Hawaii who demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This scholarship aims to honor Naomi June Nishida's legacy while empowering local students to pursue their educational goals. The application process includes a pre-proposal deadline, ensuring applicants have ample time to prepare and submit their materials for consideration.

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 Robanna Fund, established in 1992 by Robert and Deanna Levy, supports students pursuing careers in healthcare. Administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the fund awards scholarships averaging $6,000, depending on various factors such as the number of qualified applicants and donor preferences. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, reside in Hawai‘i, intend to major in a health-related field, and demonstrate financial need. This initiative aims to cultivate future healthcare professionals in the community.

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 Moanalua High School Math Scholarship, established in 2004, supports graduating seniors from Moanalua High School who actively participate in Math League events. This renewable scholarship is designed for students who maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and demonstrate financial need, with a preference for those intending to major in mathematics. Recipients may be eligible for renewal if they continue to meet eligibility criteria and maintain good academic standing.

The Mitsuo Shito Public Housing Scholarship, established in 1997 by The Friends of Hawai'i's Public Housing, supports eligible students from Hawaii who maintain good academic standing and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship prioritizes applicants living in public housing and those who were awarded in the previous year, ensuring continued support for those who meet the criteria. It's a vital resource for encouraging educational advancement among public housing residents.

Hawaii artists, cultural practitioners, and artist collaboratives can access funding through Creative West to support salary, technology, materials, wellness, or time for rest, planning, and research. The Creative West Artist Fund offers US $5,000 in no-strings-attached support plus a four-month coaching and community care series for eligible creatives across its Western region.

The Rural Business Development Grants program aims to provide essential technical assistance and training to small rural businesses, which must have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenue. The funding is targeted at projects that benefit rural areas, prioritizing smaller requests. Eligible recipients include towns, communities, and nonprofit organizations. Both Opportunity and Enterprise grants are available, supporting various initiatives from business planning to community economic development.

About Us

The Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) was established by the Hawai`i State Legislature in 1965 as the official state arts agency of Hawai`i. The mission of the SFCA is to promote, perpetuate, and preserve culture and the arts in Hawai'i. Since its inception, SFCA has worked to enrich the lives of Hawai‘i residents and visitors through arts and cultural programming and initiatives. 

Performing Arts Grant

The Performing Arts Grant Program, established through Act 131, SLH2025, allocates state general funds in fiscal year 2027 to support the coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. The legal provisions of the Performing Arts Grant are in Section §9-XX, through § 9-XX of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes. The grant budget is contingent on the Hawai`i State Legislature appropriation.  

Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) 9-1 defines “performing arts” as arts or skills that are intended to be performed before an audience, including but not limited to dance, singing, musical, and theater performances. 

The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is awaiting designation and approval of the Hawaii Revised Statutes that govern facilitating the Performing Arts Grant Program. . 

Nonprofit organizations in Hawaii at high risk of terrorist or extremist attack can seek funding for physical security upgrades, planning, equipment, and related training. Focused on security and preparedness, the State of Hawai‘i Office of Homeland Security invites eligible nonprofits to apply via the state for up to US $200,000 per award to harden facilities and protect soft targets.

The TourWest Grants, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, aim to support presenters and organizations in the Western region by providing flexible funding for touring artists. This competitive grant encourages community engagement and outreach, fostering collaboration between artists and local communities. It prioritizes accessibility to the performing arts, especially in underserved areas. Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations or local government units and demonstrate a commitment to community needs through their projects.

About

The Costume Society of America (CSA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded on March 23, 1973, and incorporated in the state of New York on September 12, 1973. CSA serves it members, and promotes its goals with national symposia and publications including the journal Dress and its monthly electronic newsletter CSA e-News.

The organization began forming regional groups in 1978. There are six regional groups in the United States and Canada, and one international group. Individual regions hold annual meetings, sponsor programs and publish newsletters.

Our Mission

The Costume Society of America fosters an understanding of appearance and dress practices of people across the globe through research, education, preservation, and design. Our network of members studies the past, examines the present, and anticipates the future of clothing and fashion.

Jack Handford Summer Internship

The Western Region actively supports student members who show promise as new professionals and encourages institutions and students to apply for the Jack Handford Summer Internship offered every other year, i.e. 2026 and 2028. The internship is appropriate for students with majors such as costume studies, material culture, museum studies, fashion history, or similar. The internship is intended to average duration of six weeks or a total of 120 hours. The grant may change depending on the budget; the 2024 winner received $3,000.

Student applicants must be current CSA Western Region members to apply. Check the forms: Institution Application and Student Application. All forms and other materials stated in the form should be submitted to Naomi Arnst, CSA-Western Region, Student Awards and Summer Internship Chair.

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 Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation Capacity Building Grant aims to enhance the capabilities of nonprofit organizations serving foster children and their caregivers in Hawaii. By focusing on governance, strategic relationships, and staff training, this grant supports projects that strengthen service delivery and improve outcomes for youth transitioning from foster care. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations that directly benefit foster children, ensuring their critical needs are met effectively.

Organizations in Hawaii working on marine and ocean conservation advocacy can receive up to US $10,000 to build policy advocacy capacity. Grants from Hawai'i Community Foundation support participation in a one-year Community Advocacy Cohort, offering training on legislative processes, testimony, and collaborative strategies to advance effective nearshore marine resource management.

The Garden Club of America Award in Coastal Wetlands Studies supports graduate students engaged in coastal wetlands research. Established through the Rockefeller Environmental Education Fund, this scholarship promotes conservation by funding field work in tidal and nontidal wetlands across coastal states, including the Great Lakes. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. graduate program and can propose their own wetlands study. The award aims to foster environmental education and scientific inquiry in this vital ecosystem.