Best Library Grants in Hawaii

With a mission to strengthen community life, Matson Foundation provides Hawaii library services and other qualified nonprofit organizations with support for education, culture and arts, civic programs, and human services. Libraries and related charities in Matson’s service areas may request funding or in-kind support for community programs, events, and operations.

The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant, provided by the American Library Association, aims to support innovative community engagement projects in libraries. This annual grant awards $2,000 to two selected libraries, focusing on themes of community empowerment. Eligible applicants include various library types in the U.S. and U.S. territories, and projects must demonstrate community collaboration and creativity. Libraries are encouraged to submit proposals that reflect local needs and foster civic participation.

Hawaii school library associations that are AASL Chapters can access funding to plan and implement leadership development programs through the American Library Association’s ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant, with awards up to US $1,750. Eligible projects may involve new members, train ongoing leaders, prepare school librarians as leaders, or encourage organizational collaboration.

Certified public school librarians in the U.S. who have led local public awareness or marketing campaigns for strong school libraries can receive $1,000 travel stipends for the AASL National Conference through the American Library Association. Hawaii school librarians may be eligible if they are ALA/AASL members and agree to present and share their campaign as professional development.

Non-tenured faculty, dissertation-stage Ph.D. candidates, and independent scholars needing to use Harvard-Yenching Library collections can apply for travel grants of US $2,000 from Harvard University. Hawaii-based researchers and others at institutions with limited East Asian language library resources may be prioritized for support to visit Boston before August 31, 2026.

Rural public libraries rebuilding children’s collections after natural disasters can receive in-kind children’s book support through Pilcrow Foundation’s Disaster Relief Grant. Hawaii library services may be eligible if they are in rural, disaster-affected areas with limited operating budgets and plans to restore active children’s departments; awards provide US $800 in new hardcover children’s books.

Libraries, library associations, and information science programs in Hawaii can seek funding to develop reading lists, webliographies, indexes, and other guides to library resources for U.S. users. With a mission to support library services, American Library Association provides up to US $5,000 for preparation and research costs, excluding final printing or online distribution.

Focused on library services, American Library Association invites Hawaii librarians who work with teens to seek US $1,000 conference support for first-time attendance at the ALA Annual Conference. Eligible applicants must be current ALA/YALSA personal members with one to ten years’ experience serving young adults, including school and public library staff.

Black/African American youth or teen services public or school librarians in Hawaii can receive travel support to attend the ALA Annual Conference. With a mission to support library services, American Library Association provides up to US $3,000 for travel, housing, registration, and a Coretta Scott King Awards Breakfast ticket.

Rural and small library staff in Hawaii can apply for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine’s NNLM CHIS Training Award; awards US $300 for delivering a consumer health information class. Applicants must hold CHIS Level 1 or 2 and be affiliated with an NNLM member organization to support community health information access.

Hawaii library and archives organizations planning workforce development or capacity-building projects can access funding through the Institute of Museum and Library Services, with awards from US $75,000 - US $200,000. Planning grants support needs assessments, partnership development, and designing curricula, prototypes, or pilot studies that prepare for future implementation or research under the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.

Libraries, archives, and library science programs in Hawaii and nationwide can seek funding to build the library and archival workforce and strengthen institutional capacity. The Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Forum Grants provide US $75,000 - US $200,000 for 1–2 year convenings of experts and stakeholders on emerging professional issues.

Libraries, archives, and library science programs in Hawaii can seek US $25,000 - US $100,000 to recruit, educate, train, and retain library and archival professionals. With a mission to strengthen the library and archival workforce, Institute of Museum and Library Services supports 1–2 year community-centered projects that adapt proven models and share resources nationally.

Libraries, archives, and library or information science programs in Hawaii can seek Institute of Museum and Library Services support to develop the national library workforce and build institutional capacity. Grants from Institute of Museum and Library Services help fund recruitment, education, training, and retention projects, including tools and resources that are sustainable and widely adaptable, with awards ranging from US $75,000 - US $1,000,000.

Library and information science faculty conducting early career research on library services and archives can seek US $75,000 - US $750,000 to support projects through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Focused on workforce development and institutional capacity, this national program may benefit Hawaii institutions strengthening library services and archival practice.

Hawaii libraries, archives, and library science programs can access funding for applied research that strengthens the library and archival workforce. The Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program awards US $75,000 - US $750,000 for projects investigating key practice questions, with strong research design and broad dissemination beyond academic audiences.

Hawaii library and information organizations focused on health information services can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to serve as Regional Medical Libraries within the Network of the National Library of Medicine. Awards up to US $600,000 support biomedical information access, training, data dissemination, and professional development in coordination with NLM and NIH programs.

Eligible U.S. organizations able to serve as a Network Training Center for health and library professionals can apply for up to US $750,000 to develop and deliver NNLM-wide training. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports curricula, materials, and innovative learning methods that strengthen library services and health information access, including in Hawaii.

Libraries and information organizations in Hawaii seeking support for health information access and library services can apply for this National Institutes of Health opportunity, with awards up to US $1,500,000. Focused on network coordination, evaluation, and outreach, it funds a Coordinating Center to strengthen the Network of the National Library of Medicine nationwide.

Library staff and board members seeking continuing education can receive funding for training-related costs, including registration, travel, meals, and lodging, to strengthen library services. Nebraska Library Commission provides these grants for online learning, out-of-state conferences, and larger education projects, which may benefit Hawaii library professionals able to participate within the grant’s timeframe.

The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, offered by the American Library Association, supports libraries facing budget constraints by providing $2,500 to three selected libraries. The 2025-2026 cycle focuses on programming that strengthens community ties through libraries as third spaces, promoting gatherings and connections among individuals. Eligible proposals may include intergenerational gardening programs, play-based activities for adults, or visual arts performances. Applicants must have ALA or ARSL membership and demonstrate how their program will foster community engagement.

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries offers financial support to underfunded schools to enhance their library collections, promoting literacy and a passion for reading. Eligible applicants include Title 1 public schools and private institutions with at least 50% of students qualifying for financial aid. The grant funds can be utilized exclusively for books, periodicals, and subscriptions, ensuring that all students have access to diverse reading materials. Applications require a designated librarian and completion of necessary documentation.

The Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Libraries' Grant, initiated by the American Library Association (ALA), aims to enhance accessibility and community engagement in small and rural libraries serving people with disabilities. With funding up to $20,000, selected libraries will receive support for projects that improve library services and facilities. This initiative promotes collaboration with community members to identify and address accessibility needs, ensuring libraries effectively serve diverse populations.

Hawaii libraries and library-focused 501(c)(3) organizations can seek funding for endowments, capital construction, and innovative equipment projects that expand public access to information. Through the Gladys Brooks Foundation, eligible institutions may receive US $50,000 - US $150,000 for major library initiatives, provided projects rely primarily on this grant and funds are not used for overhead.

The Lisa Libraries Book Grants provide essential resources to organizations in low-income or underserved areas, enabling them to establish or enhance small libraries. Founded in 1990 to honor children's book editor Lisa Novak, the initiative has donated over one million books to help children gain access to literature. If your organization serves children in need of books, consider applying for support to create a nurturing reading environment.

The Snapdragon Book Foundation Grant aims to enhance school libraries for disadvantaged children by providing essential funding. Established in 2008, it supports public, private, and experimental schools in the U.S., including territories. The foundation emphasizes access to quality reading materials, aiming to address inequities caused by structural racism. Eligible libraries can apply for funding to acquire books, reference materials, and subscriptions, ensuring that all students have access to enriching literary resources.

The Pilcrow Foundation offers matching grants to rural public libraries for acquiring new, quality children's books. Libraries can receive up to $1,200 in funding by contributing $200-$400 through local sponsorships. Eligible libraries include independent rural and Native American Tribal libraries, with a focus on those serving communities with populations under 10,000. The initiative supports libraries in rural areas of the U.S. to enhance their children's book collections and promote literacy.