Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Hawaii

The Henry A Zuberano Scholarship Fund offers financial aid to young individuals in Hawai'i seeking to develop leadership skills in government and community affairs. Eligible candidates must demonstrate academic achievement, leadership potential, and financial need. Preference is given to past recipients who continue to meet the eligibility criteria. This scholarship aims to empower the next generation of leaders in the community.

The Marvin R. and Pearl E. Patterson Family Fund Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports students aspiring to study graphic or fine arts, as well as those interested in environmental sciences. Open to high school graduates from the Tri-Cities area, this scholarship considers leadership, community involvement, and academic achievements, although financial need is not a requirement. Applicants must provide transcripts and relevant documents to qualify for this opportunity.

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.

Maui Strong Fund Grant - Economic Recovery & Resilience RFP

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to support the economic recovery and longterm resilience of Lahaina following the 2023 wildfires. This funding aims to restore livelihoods and catalyze community-driven economic development that reflects the Lahaina community’s cultural values and future vision.

This RFP is designed to complement existing federal, state, and county programs, as well as prior philanthropic investments, including support for the interim marketplace. The Foundation is particularly interested in opportunities that both address immediate recovery needs and lay the groundwork for a more resilient, locally rooted, and equitable economy, including advancing regenerative and ecotourism-based economic models that prioritize community benefit and environmental stewardship.

The California-Hawaii Elks Major Project, Inc. offers an Undergraduate Scholarship Program specifically designed for students with disabilities. This needs-based scholarship assists eligible individuals in pursuing higher education at accredited institutions. Since its inception in 1981, the program has expanded to provide multiple scholarships annually, allowing recipients to reapply for up to four years of support. Applicants must be U.S. citizens residing in California or Hawaii, and demonstrate financial need while having a qualifying disability.

The Kroger Foundation is dedicated to uplifting communities through significant charitable contributions, having donated over $1.9 billion in the past six years. Their focus on combating hunger through the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative exemplifies their commitment to social impact. Annually, they provide over $300 million to nonprofit organizations aligned with their mission, promoting health, education, and disaster relief while fostering diversity and inclusion. This initiative reflects Kroger's belief that strong communities are a shared responsibility.

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 Obuchi Student Scholarship, offered by the East-West Center, supports Okinawan residents pursuing master's or doctoral degrees at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960, this scholarship aims to foster human resource development to address Okinawa's needs. It emphasizes academic excellence, leadership, and community service, prioritizing students in fields beneficial to Okinawan development. This initiative reflects a collaborative effort between the U.S. and Japanese governments to enhance educational opportunities for Okinawan students.

The NRP Research Grant Program offers up to $50,000 for healthcare professionals to explore optimal neonatal resuscitation methods. It encourages innovative research addressing gaps in transitional physiology and effective teaching of resuscitation skills. Applications must focus on evidence-based practices and demonstrate potential for meaningful impact in delivery room care. Researchers from Canadian and US institutions are eligible, though applications primarily focused on quality improvement without a research emphasis will not be considered.

The Greg T Miki Legacy Scholarship Fund, established in 2022 by the Hawai'i Community Foundation, provides financial support for students pursuing higher education. Eligible applicants must be Hawaii residents with demonstrated financial need and a minimum GPA of 2.0. Preference is given to students born in Hawaii and those studying Criminal Justice and Criminology, as well as individuals involved in community service.

The Mike and Betty Ben Paddling Scholarship Fund, established in 2020, supports Hawaii residents who graduated from a Hawaii Island public high school and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. This scholarship prioritizes students demonstrating financial need and encourages paddlers, offering preference to those with a GPA of 2.25 or higher. Previous recipients meeting eligibility may reapply. The fund aims to empower local students pursuing higher education.

The ASP Conservation Small Grants program is dedicated to supporting primate conservation efforts. It invites proposals for conservation research or related projects, including education, with awards up to $3500. This initiative encourages ASP members, especially those in habitat countries, to submit impactful projects that contribute to broader conservation goals. The program emphasizes funding for local salaries, research supplies, and educational materials, ensuring the sustainability of primate conservation efforts.

The Laura Jean Armstrong Fund, established in memory of Dr. Laura Jean Armstrong, supports graduate students pursuing a Master's or Doctoral degree in Nursing or Public Health. Eligible applicants must be residents of Hawai'i, demonstrate financial need, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Preference is given to previous recipients who continue to meet these criteria. This fund honors Dr. Armstrong's legacy of dedication to improving health and welfare in underserved communities.

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.

The Teresa F. Hughes Trust Grant provides financial assistance to qualified elderly adults and children in Hawaii. The grant aims to support those in financial need, particularly seniors over 70 and children under 18 who have experienced abuse or neglect. Eligible organizations can apply for funding to assist with essential needs such as healthcare, educational expenses, and basic living requirements, enhancing the quality of life for these vulnerable populations.

The LFF: Nature-Based Climate Action Grant aims to support initiatives that leverage natural systems to combat climate change. By funding projects focused on tree planting, prairie restoration, and carbon sequestration, the program seeks to engage communities and enhance understanding of climate challenges. Ideal applicants include rural organizations working to create measurable environmental impacts while fostering collaboration and policy change. This grant represents an opportunity for organizations ready to take significant strides in addressing the climate crisis.

The Kosasa Foundation's Community-Based Environmental Stewardship Grant aims to enhance environmental resilience in Hawai'i by fostering community engagement and stewardship. This program supports nonprofits focused on clear environmental goals, integrating local knowledge with scientific methods, and driving policy changes for impactful results. The foundation prioritizes deep community involvement and measurable progress, ensuring meaningful participation in addressing environmental challenges. By empowering the youth and local communities, the grant seeks to preserve Hawai'i's unique ecosystems for future generations.

The Asian Cultural Council's Individual Fellowship provides artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia and the United States with opportunities for self-directed cultural exchange and research in unfamiliar regions. This program supports activities such as interviews, workshops, and archival research, fostering cultural immersion and collaboration. With a funding limit of $35,000, the fellowship encourages innovative proposals that enhance creative perspectives and relationships among peers, while also ensuring strong eligibility criteria for applicants.

The Growing Tribal Economies Through Forest Market Innovations grant program, initiated by First Nations Development Institute, aims to empower Tribes and Alaska Native Villages to engage in emerging markets that enhance forest health and resilience. With funding of $200,000 to $500,000 per grant, this initiative supports projects focusing on sustainability, innovation, and traditional knowledge. Eligible applicants are encouraged to develop forest products, certifications, and practices that contribute positively to biodiversity and ecosystem management.

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 Eizo & Toyo Sakumoto Trust, established to honor the legacy of Eizo and Toyo Sakumoto, aims to support higher education for students of Japanese ancestry born in Hawaii. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5, and attend a college in Hawaii. This trust reflects the couple's commitment to education and community, ensuring that deserving students can pursue their academic goals and contribute to society.

The Asian Cultural Council's New York Fellowship offers a transformative six-month program for artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia. Participants engage deeply with New York City's vibrant cultural landscape, attending performances, exhibitions, and workshops while building networks with local communities. This unique opportunity fosters peer-learning and individual artistic development, encouraging fellows to incorporate their experiences into their practices and contribute to their home cultures. The fellowship emphasizes exploration, exchange, and support, culminating in a rich cultural immersion.

The Gridiron Veterans Scholarship, provided by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, offers essential financial support for military veterans and first responders. This initiative focuses on wellness, rehabilitation, and recovery programs, ensuring participants can access mental health services, physical therapy, and holistic resources. The foundation prioritizes those facing emotional and physical challenges, empowering them to overcome barriers and improve their quality of life through customized, evidence-based support.

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.

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship supports graduate studies at the University of Hawai‘i, aimed at promoting better relations among the U.S., Asia, and the Pacific. Established in 1960, this fellowship seeks to enhance understanding through cooperative study and research. Eligible applicants include citizens and permanent residents from various countries in the Pacific, Southeast, South, and East Asia, who hold a relevant bachelor's degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0.

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 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 JFLA Mini Grant for Japanese Arts & Culture Program supports projects aimed at enhancing the understanding of Japanese arts and culture. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for qualifying nonprofit organizations. Eligible projects must occur in the 13 states west of the Rocky Mountains and focus on fostering U.S.-Japan collaborations through various artistic mediums. Notably, applicants must be designated 501(c)(3) organizations and adhere to specific funding guidelines.