Search Through Sustainability Grants in Hawaii in the U.S.

About the Foundation

The Johnson Ohana Foundation is a non-profit public charity founded in 2008 by musician Jack Johnson, and his wife Kim, to promote positive and lasting change within communities by supporting organizations that focus on environmental, art, and music education.

Grant Program

The Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation supports organizations with strong community involvement. We are most interested in funding organizations that work creatively toward solution-based approaches to environmental or societal problems, with a commitment to long-term and lasting change. The Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation primarily supports smaller organizations working on issues relevant to their own local communities.

We fund groups that focus on one of three central themes: 

• Environmental Education
• Arts Education for Youth
• Music Education for Youth

The Johnson Ohana Foundation seeks out innovative non-profits that actively engage youth and/or volunteers in projects that provide measurable benefit to the environment and/or the community.

Fields of Interest - Art & Music Education

The Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation regularly supports organizations that work in the following fields of interest and in addition, chooses a specific funding theme that varies periodically:

Arts Education for Youth

• Visual Arts (drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture)
• Performing Arts (theatre, dance, musical theatre)
• Media Arts (film, photography, graphic design)

Music Education for Youth

• School or Community-Based Music Programs (low or no-cost instruction)
• Musical Ensembles (band, choir, orchestra)
• Musical Instruments (acquisition, maintenance, repair)

Environmental Education

• Oceans/ Rivers/ Watersheds
• Plastic Free Initiatives
• Renewable Energy
• Sustainable Living
• Sustainable Local Food Systems
• Farm to School Programs
• Tree Planting/Restoration
• Conservation Programs (energy, waste, water)

Current Funding Theme:

Sustainable Local Food Systems

Grant Size

The Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation awards grants ranging from $2500 to $20,000. Grants can be directed to specific programs or to general operating expenses.

About the Foundation

The Johnson Ohana Foundation is a non-profit public charity founded in 2008 by musician Jack Johnson, and his wife Kim, to promote positive and lasting change within communities by supporting organizations that focus on environmental, art, and music education.

Grant Program

The Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation supports organizations with strong community involvement. We are most interested in funding organizations that work creatively toward solution-based approaches to environmental or societal problems, with a commitment to long-term and lasting change. The Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation primarily supports smaller organizations working on issues relevant to their own local communities.

We fund groups that focus on one of three central themes: 

• Environmental Education
• Arts Education for Youth
• Music Education for Youth

The Johnson Ohana Foundation seeks out innovative non-profits that actively engage youth and/or volunteers in projects that provide measurable benefit to the environment and/or the community.

A majority of our grants are awarded for a single year but we do on occasion award multi-year grants for up to a 3-year period. Multi-year grants are usually awarded to non-profits with which we have built a strong relationship and are generally associated with projects focusing on the current funding theme.

Fields of Interest

The Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation regularly supports organizations that work in the following fields of interest and in addition, chooses a specific funding theme that varies periodically:

Environmental Education 

• Oceans/ Rivers/ Watersheds
• Plastic Free Initiatives
• Renewable Energy
• Sustainable Living
• Sustainable Local Food Systems
• Farm to School Programs
• Tree Planting/Restoration
• Conservation Programs (energy, waste, water)

Current Funding Theme

• Sustainable Local Food Systems

Grant Size

The Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation awards grants ranging from $2500 to $20,000. Grants can be directed to specific programs or to general operating expenses.

Grant Review Process

Environmental Education grants are reviewed in the spring.

The McInerny Foundation is one of the largest charitable foundations in the State of Hawai‘i. Its funds originated from the estates of twin brothers, William and James  McInerny, and their older sister, Ella McInerny, whose wealth was generated in large part by a distinguished clothing establishment in the city of Honolulu. 

Today, McInerny Foundation is honored for its generous contributions to education and social services to which most of their grantmaking is allocated, while the balance of their  funding is distributed for arts and culture, health, environment, and other projects. 

Fields of Interest

• Arts & Culture
• Community
• Education
• Environment
• Health
• Human Services

Program Support: Support is provided for programs and projects that better the lives of individuals and families in the state of Hawaii.

General Operating Support: Support is usually provided to organizations having an established relationship with the Foundation. 

Additional Information

Board of Directors

In order to be successful in accomplishing its purposes, a charitable organization generally must have community and business support, rather than relying solely on foundations or government funding. For this reason the Distribution Committee pays particular attention to how active members of an organization’s Board of Directors are in carrying out their responsibilities to the organization.   

Other Factors

Some other factors considered in reviewing a proposal are:

• the community’s need for the proposed program or project in relation to other similar activities;
• reasonableness of the project’s income/expenditure budget;
• ability of the applicant to obtain entire funding and sustain the proposed project.

About

The Wildlife Society is an international non-profit scientific and educational association dedicated to excellence in wildlife stewardship through science and education. Our mission is to enhance the ability of wildlife professionals and wildlife students to conserve diversity, sustain productivity, and ensure responsible use of wildlife resources and their habitats. The Western Section of The Wildlife Society is comprised of over 1000 wildlife managers, biologists, ecologists, and students from California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Guam all devoted to the sustainable conservation of wildlife in the western United States region. There are 8 geographic Chapters and 7 student Chapters that make up the Western Section.

In order to promote sustainable management of wildlife resources the Western Section hosts numerous workshops for wildlife professionals and students to provide the latest in wildlife techniques and offer specialized training for special status species. Check out all upcoming meetings and workshops on our new events page. In addition the Western Section holds an annual meeting where wildlife professionals, students, and other wildlife enthusiasts share their latest information in the wildlife management field.

Student Travel Grant

Purpose and Objectives

Each year The Wildlife Society-Western Section (TWS-WS) makes funds available to students to encourage participation in professional meetings, conferences, symposia and other continuing education activities. These funds can be used for partial reimbursement of transportation, lodging, registration and meal expenses. Travel grants of up to $600 will be awarded to a limited number of students.

Priority will be given to students presenting a paper or poster at TWS meetings (Parent, Western Section, Chapters).

Amount and Conditions

In most cases, the amount of an award may only cover a portion of the total cost of attending an event and applicants should consider the award only as a supplement to other funding sources. Individual awards/reimbursement will not exceed $600.00 per applicant per event or per year.

Travel awards are to be used only for registration fees, meals, lodging, and or transportation expenses.

Rates of reimbursement shall be as follows:

• Mileage (personal vehicle) may be claimed at the current federal mileage reimbursement rate (Currently $0. 67 cents per mile)
• Reimbursement may be claimed for the actual cost of a meal, not to exceed $12.00, $20.00 and $30.00 for breakfast, lunch and dinner, respectively.
• Reimbursement may be claimed for the actual cost of lodging, not to exceed $150.00 per night.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to support research on interventions to improve health in Native American (NA) populations. This includes:

• etiologic research, where there is a significant gap in knowledge, that will directly inform intervention development or adaptations,
• research that develops, adapts, or tests the efficacy or effectiveness of health promotion and disease prevention interventions,
• research that tests culturally informed treatment or recovery interventions and
• where a sufficient body of knowledge on intervention efficacy exists, research on dissemination and implementation that develops and tests strategies to overcome barriers to the adoption, integration, scale-up, and sustainability of effective interventions.

Existing data suggest that significant acute and chronic disease inequities exist for NA populations. Concurrently, NA populations experience unique sociopolitical, historical, and environmental stressors and risks that may exacerbate health conditions and/or impact the effectiveness of existing solutions to address the conditions. They also possess unique strengths and resiliencies that can mitigate stressors or inform intervention strategies. Through this initiative, intervention and related research is sought to build upon community knowledge, resources, and resilience to test science-based, culturally appropriate solutions to reduce morbidity and mortality through identification and remediation of precursors to diseases and disorders and through culturally informed treatment. Interventions should be designed with a consideration for sustainability within the communities where they are tested, and have the flexibility to be readily adapted, disseminated, and scaled up to other communities where culturally appropriate.

For the purposes of this FOA, Native Americans include the following populations: Alaska Natives, American Indians (whose ancestral lands fall at least partially within the U.S. mainland border), and Native Hawaiians. The term ‘Native Hawaiian’ means any individual any of whose ancestors were natives, prior to 1778, of the area which now comprises the State of Hawaii.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to support developmental/exploratory studies in preparation for health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, or treatment services research to improve health in Native American (NA) populations. Applications may include

• etiologic research, where there is a significant gap in knowledge, that will directly inform intervention development or adaptations,
• research to develop and pilot test new or adapted interventions for feasibility, acceptability, and scalability, 
• research to test the short-term efficacy of interventions,
• where a sufficient body of knowledge on intervention efficacy exists, research on strategies to overcome barriers to the adoption, integration, scale-up, and sustainability of effective interventions.

Existing data suggest that significant acute and chronic disease inequities exist for NA populations. Concurrently, NA populations experience unique sociopolitical, historical, and environmental stressors and risks that may exacerbate health conditions and/or impact the effectiveness of existing solutions to address the conditions. They also possess unique strengths and resiliencies that can mitigate stressors or inform intervention strategies. Through this announcement, culturally informed exploratory/developmental research is sought that builds upon community knowledge, resources, and resilience to provide foundational knowledge for future science-based, culturally appropriate solutions to reduce morbidity and mortality through identification and remediation of precursors to diseases and disorders and through culturally informed treatment.

For the purposes of this FOA, Native Americans include the following populations: Alaska Natives, American Indians (whose ancestral lands fall at least partially within the U.S. mainland border), and Native Hawaiians. The term Native Hawaiian means any individual any of whose ancestors were natives, prior to 1778, of the area which now comprises the State of Hawaii.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to support research on interventions to improve health in Native American (NA) populations. This includes:

• etiologic research, where there is a significant gap in knowledge, that will directly inform intervention development or adaptations,
• research that develops, adapts, or tests the efficacy or effectiveness of health promotion and disease prevention interventions,
• research that tests culturally informed treatment or recovery interventions and
• where a sufficient body of knowledge on intervention efficacy exists, research on dissemination and implementation that develops and tests strategies to overcome barriers to the adoption, integration, scale-up, and sustainability of effective interventions.

Existing data suggest that significant acute and chronic disease inequities exist for NA populations. Concurrently, NA populations experience unique sociopolitical, historical, and environmental stressors and risks that may exacerbate health conditions and/or impact the effectiveness of existing solutions to address the conditions. They also possess unique strengths and resiliencies that can mitigate stressors or inform intervention strategies. Through this initiative, intervention and related research is sought to build upon community knowledge, resources, and resilience to test science-based, culturally appropriate solutions to reduce morbidity and mortality through identification and remediation of precursors to diseases and disorders and through culturally informed treatment. Interventions should be designed with a consideration for sustainability within the communities where they are tested, and have the flexibility to be readily adapted, disseminated, and scaled up to other communities where culturally appropriate. For the purposes of this FOA, Native Americans include the following populations: Alaska Natives, American Indians (whose ancestral lands fall at least partially within the U.S. mainland border), and Native Hawaiians. The term ‘Native Hawaiian’ means any individual any of whose ancestors were natives, prior to 1778, of the area which now comprises the State of Hawaii.

Marisla was established in 1986 as a private, non-operating charitable institution. 

Environmental Program - Marine Resources Conservation The Environment Program concentrates on activities that promote the conservation of biological diversity and advance sustainable ecosystem management. Primary emphasis is on marine and coastal biodiversity conservation with a geographic focus on California, Northwest Mexico, Hawaii, Chile, and the Western Pacific (Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia).

About Us

Fund for Teachers supports educators' efforts to develop skills, knowledge, and confidence that impact student achievement. By trusting teachers to design unique fellowships, Fund for Teachers grants validate teachers' professionalism and leadership.

Fund for Teachers trusts that teachers know what’s working with their students, in their classrooms, in their school communities better than anyone else. So, we go straight to these first responders and fund their pursuits to make learning more effective in their spheres of influence. Individually, approximately 10,225 teachers have leveraged $39 million Fund for Teachers grants into growth (their students’ and their own) since 2001. These grant recipients (or FFT Fellows) constitute a national corps of empowered and validated educators, sought after in their communities and nationally as leaders, innovators, and change-makers:

• Who make learning relevant, meaningful and empowering for their students;
• Who inspire and lead professional growth of their colleagues;
• Who collaborate in sharing best practices, collective visioning, and solving shared problems;
• Whose input helps close the gap between sound policy and best practice.

Our Commitment to Culturally Sustaining Teacher Leadership

At Fund for Teachers, we seek teacher leaders, who envision and enact change in their classrooms and communities, grounded in their students’ assets and needs. For more than 20 years, we have trusted teachers to design their own professional learning because teachers can and should be charged with knowing their students deeply and responding with empathy and expertise.

Every teacher has gaps in their instructional practice, and these gaps are highly individualized, so it makes sense that teachers should engage in learning that meets their needs. At the same time, every classroom is filled with unique students who come with their own lived experiences, underscoring the need for teachers to embark on even more individualized learning experiences to better show up for and serve their students.

In addition to the skills and content learned during their Fund for Teachers experience, we believe that planning for, enacting and reflecting on personalized professional learning acts as a catalyst for teachers’ deep internal reflection and awareness. The self-work that results from a Fellowship prompts positive changes in teachers’ relationships and work with students, their curriculum, their pedagogy, their school community, and their partnerships with families and community.

Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation Grant

The Clarence T. C. Ching Foundation will consider grant applications for programs or capital projects.

Funding Focus

Beginning  in 2025,  grant applications for the six focus areas will be accepted as follows:

January

• Education
• Children, Youth & Families
• Arts, Culture & Innovation

July

• Healthcare
• Housing
• Sustainability

Funding

The Clarence T. C. Ching Foundation prefers not to be the sole funder of any project or program. Our program grants range from $3,000 to $100,000. Capital grants will depend on the budget of the capital project and is generally less than 50% of the project.

Vision Statement

Hawaii’s near-shore systems are sustainable because they are well regulated by strong, responsible, responsive government authorities and non-profit partners using an ecosystem approach that benefits from broad-based expert opinion and inclusive community involvement in determining management priorities.

Goals

Make measureable improvements in our nearshore oceans where possible now; promote systemic change by improving governance and a community-based management model of practice for scaled impact in the near term; and foster a collaborative set of stakeholders to maintain a healthy system for nearshore management throughout Hawaii in the long term.

Investment Areas/Tactics

The most significant change in this third iteration of our Theory of Change is that we have done away with the seven investment areas meant to serve as programmatic foci and evaluation criteria. Instead we have shifted to five specific tactics to improve marine resource health and management. These represent shared, more proactive priorities with several partners, intended to help Hawaii achieve marine management targets over the next 1-5 years that move our islands towards two results: 1) a substantial increase in the number and percentage of nearshore marine acres in the Main Hawaiian Islands that are effectively managed based on more collaborative science, better management and improved enforcement; and 2) a similarly substantial increase in Hawaii’s capacity for ocean management.

These tactics are (in no order of priority):

• Reduce land-based pollution measurably and meaningfully in at least one pilot site: This will focus on watershed regions that partners such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric and Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) have already identified as priority, namely West Maui and the North Kona Coast of Hawaii, where resources and efforts are already being concentrated and can be leveraged. In the ideal, working solutions can be proven in these areas and subsequently exported as a model to be applied elsewhere in Hawaii In this light, the Foundation will not ignore potential projects in other regions that might result in workable solutions.
• Support Hawaii’s capacity to properly manage the state’s resources: In following the DLNR Chair’s and Division Administrator’s leads, the Foundation will dedicate resources toward strengthening staff positions, programs, and policies that DLNR does not have the resources to carry out on its own. Pursuant with State and Federal law, supporting the State, either directly or through a third-party fiscal sponsor is both legal and ethical. In addition to supporting DLNR, the Foundation is also committed to supporting a robust non-profit marine management sector. And when appropriate, the Foundation is also amenable to granting directly to communities who have the capacity and motivation to carry their own programs.
• Improve the State’s marine management infrastructure: The Foundation would like to focus on efforts that work collaboratively with fishers and other ocean users to find solutions that suit a broad range of needs and concerns. This will include improving enforcement, broadening education and outreach with users (e.g., tagging programs, improving access to sustainable fishing and fish), and collecting better stock data that inform better management decisions. For example, some form of registry, license or permit for recreational ocean users would provide valuable data to inform better marine management decision-making.
• Build a community-based co-management model of practice: As supporters and ‘service-providers’ to communities that are defined by use, place and practice, the non-profit sector consists of many organizations working with communities and stakeholders to improve marine resources across Hawaii The Foundation intends to use its giving resources and ability to convene towards an increasingly collaborative and cooperative marine management sector. Organizations in the Federal, State, local government and private spaces need to work collectively to reduce unnecessary redundancy, optimize efficiency in a resource-limited capacity environment, and maximize impact. Discussed in further detail in later sections, a number of collective impact opportunities currently exist to help the sector work toward shared goals.
• Designate new areas and regulations that sustain resources and benefit all users: Consistent with above tactics, in following the DLNR’s lead and the wishes of local communities of place, use, and practice, the Foundation aims to help support the groundwork necessary to establish new areas and rules that ensure sustainable harvest, habitat protection, and benefit to all users. Invariably, there will be contention associated with these efforts, which is why the Foundation is also wed to improving designation processes to be as fair, open, and inclusive as possible. Nonetheless, the Foundation believes that further efforts are necessary if we are to sustain our nearshore marine resources for future generations.

Lastly, the impact of these five tactics will be measured by two performance measures. While still largely undefined now, we anticpate that both of these performance measures will be finalized by summer 2017:

• The first is the amount of nearshore marine acres effectively managed, whose definition is currently under development in partnership with the Governor’s administration and several marine science and management organizations. ‘Effectively managed’ will be informed by a balanced perspective between biological status and management action. It is important to note that this coincides with Governor Ige’s newly launched environmental platform including his commitment to effectively manage 30% of our nearshore marine areas by 2030, and the cross-sectoral Aloha+ Challenge for sustainability. For more information on these State-led efforts click here.
• The second metric will focus on measuring Hawaii’s capacity to manage our marine resources. This is a measure of collective capacity in both the government and non-profit spaces. Because it has concluded that there is no single metric for capacity, the Foundation has opted for a shared checklist of priorities with a broad cross section of partners. The degree to which collaborators can work down this shared checklist will serve as a measure of progress. This ‘checklist’ is currently being developed with partners.

Strengthening Windward O‘ahu Communities

Windward Oahu Strategy: Building social, human, and natural capital with a particular emphasis towards nurturing future community leaders.

The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation builds on the strengths of vibrant Windward Oahu communities through investments that support the region’s rich cultural legacy, its youth and families, and its natural resources.

Like many Hawaii-based organizations, the Foundation is rooted in a strong sense of community and place. Prior to creating a family foundation in 1962, Harold K.L. Castle gave generously of his time, energy, and financial resources to the Windward Oahu community in which he lived and worked. With an eye toward the future and a vision of building civic and cultural resources, Mr. Castle in his lifetime made substantial gifts of land for Windward churches and schools, and for institutions such as Castle Medical Center and the Windward YMCA. Over its 44-year history, the Foundation has maintained a deep connection to its roots in Windward Oahu and a commitment to contributing to the vitality of communities from Kahuku to Waimanalo.

Our Purpose

The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation helps communities build assets in Windward Oʻahu by strengthening and supporting the region’s rich cultural legacy, its youth and families, and its natural resources. Investing in the unique history, traditions, people, and environment of Windward Oʻahu has important implications for the state as a whole, and is an important piece of the Foundation’s commitment to “Building Resources for Hawaiʻi’s Future.”

Our Goals

• By 2027, to dramatically increase the number of Windward Oʻahu youth who complete college and attain employment success, particularly in STEM careers;
• By 2027, to ensure that all Windward Oʻahu students graduate high school with a mālama ‘āina mindset and the resiliency and civic skills needed to protect and restore the watersheds and fisheries of Koʻolauloa and Koʻolaupoko; and
• To support other unique opportunities to strengthen the health, safety, and vibrancy of the region’s communities.

Our Strategy

In 2017, Directors embarked on a 10 year journey to achieve three primary goals within Windward Oʻahu through four key strategies:

Our Priorities

Our approach to grant making over the past years has been consistent. We continue to look for organizations that can significantly leverage our grants with other sources of support, where our funds can play a catalytic role, where we can see the promise of significant impact on important public issues in Hawaii, and where there is strong leadership that can make the best use of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation’s funds. In Windward O‘ahu, this means start-up for promising new organizations, innovation, and scaling good work when strategies align.

It is with these values in mind that we lift up the following priorities for funding in Windward Oʻahu:

• High quality organizations and/or programs based in the region or with a record of longstanding ties to the region and effective current or potential relationships with schools and/or community
• OR high performing potential partners from outside of the region that are uniquely qualified to address Foundation goal(s) within the region
• Highly collaborative organizations that exhibit authentic, reciprocal relationships with schools and communities
• Innovation, capacity building, and occasionally scaling of programs that align to the strategy – the Foundation does not support ongoing programs or operations
• Small preschool improvements are welcome throughout the year, but are restricted to $25,000 or less. Larger capital requests for Windward Oʻahu are considered once per year in the fall with inquiries for such requests due October 1.

Much of this work will focus on building capacity within existing people, places, and programs of the region – thereby amplifying the bright spots, accelerating progress, and realizing potential within Windward Oʻahu. This will primarily be accomplished by supporting networks, systems, and cohorts for deeper learning and impact. The intention is to ground this work deeply in community for lasting and sustainable change.

Hawai‘i Community Foundation

Grants & Scholarships

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation is honored to provide a wealth of financial support to qualified students and nonprofit organizations throughout Hawai‘i.

HCF invests charitable funds in communities across the State primarily through nonprofit organizations. Our core programs are designed to support a stronger nonprofit sector as we believe that these organizations are one cornerstone of a vibrant civic society. We administer a number of grant making programs with targeted purposes or an island-based focus. We create grant programs that deliver solid results efficiently while informing our impact work and knowledge assets.

HCF also assists several private foundations in delivering their grant making programs according to their specific strategies. Each competitive grant programs has its own funding priorities and proposal requirements. Our goal is to provide effective, efficient, timely, and fiscally responsible services to our clients and customers.

In addition, we are proud to have awarded millions of scholarship dollars to worthy college students. We awarded our first student scholarships generations ago and will for generations to come. Our section on scholarships provides information on the necessary requirements for scholarship application.

We constantly commit ourselves to making sure our actions and investments are making a difference every day for the people and communities of Hawai‘i.

AES Hawaii Scholarship Fund - Hawaii Island

The AES Hawaii Scholarship Fund - Hawaii Island was created in 2022. The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarship grants to students seeking higher education.

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation is honored to provide a wealth of financial support to qualified students and nonprofit organizations throughout Hawai‘i.

HCF invests charitable funds in communities across the State primarily through nonprofit organizations. Our core programs are designed to support a stronger nonprofit sector as we believe that these organizations are one cornerstone of a vibrant civic society. We administer a number of grant making programs with targeted purposes or an island-based focus. We create grant programs that deliver solid results efficiently while informing our impact work and knowledge assets.

AES Hawaii Scholarship Fund - Kauai

The AES Hawaii Scholarship Fund - Kauai was created in 2022. The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarship grants to students seeking higher education for those interested in majoring in fields that support renewable energy and sustainable environments.

Guy Marshall Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was established in 2008 by advisors of the Cecil G. Marshall Fund honor Guy’s commitment to education. Scholarship is to benefit students from Hawaii attending a college or university in the continental U.S. with the intention to sustain support for scholarship recipients through their four years of their undergraduate education. 

Guy Toyama Memorial Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was established in 2013 to honor the memory of Guy Toyama, who was a tireless advocate for Hawaii’s renewable resources. The scholarship was created to support students interested in fields of study related to sustainability.

Hawai‘i Community Foundation

Grants & Scholarships

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation is honored to provide a wealth of financial support to qualified students and nonprofit organizations throughout Hawai‘i.

HCF invests charitable funds in communities across the State primarily through nonprofit organizations. Our core programs are designed to support a stronger nonprofit sector as we believe that these organizations are one cornerstone of a vibrant civic society. We administer a number of grant making programs with targeted purposes or an island-based focus. We create grant programs that deliver solid results efficiently while informing our impact work and knowledge assets.

HCF also assists several private foundations in delivering their grant making programs according to their specific strategies. Each competitive grant programs has its own funding priorities and proposal requirements. Our goal is to provide effective, efficient, timely, and fiscally responsible services to our clients and customers.

In addition, we are proud to have awarded millions of scholarship dollars to worthy college students. We awarded our first student scholarships generations ago and will for generations to come. Our section on scholarships provides information on the necessary requirements for scholarship application.

We constantly commit ourselves to making sure our actions and investments are making a difference every day for the people and communities of Hawai‘i.

AES Hawaii Scholarship Fund - Oahu

The AES Hawaii Scholarship Fund - Oahu was created in 2022. The purpose of the Fund is to provide scholarship grants in furtherance of post-secondary education.

Laura Jane Musser  was born June 4, 1916, the child of Drew Musser and Sarah "Sally" Walker Musser. She lived in Little Falls, MN all of her life at the family home, Linden Hill. Upon her death in 1989 at the age of 73, The Laura Jane Musser came into being to continue on with some of her interests in life, including the arts and helping children, as expressed in the guidelines.Rural Arts ProgramGeneral Operating Support Program In recognition of Laura Jane Musser's life-long commitment to excellence in the arts, and with awareness that pivotal and life-changing experience can occur for individuals through introduction to and participation in the arts, the Laura Jane Musser Fund hopes to encourage and excite a wider population to appreciate, learn, and participate in the arts.  The Musser Fund hopes to assist nonprofit arts organizations in rural communities to develop, implement or sustain exceptional artistic opportunities for adults and children in the areas of literary, visual, music, and performing arts. Priority is placed on organizations that:

• Increase access to the arts through scholarships, hands-on activities, community venues, workshops, discounts and other innovations;
• Demonstrate capacity to engage their community in the creation of art;
• Demonstrate support from their community (through volunteerism, membership, in-kind, or other types of support).

Grantees that request second and third years of support will be asked to report on their progress toward the goals they articulated in their previous year's application, especially in the following areas:

• Increasing access to their services;
• Increasing their organizational sustainability;
• Increasing support from their community. 

The Laura Jane Musser Fund was established by the estate of Laura Jane Musser of Little Falls, Minnesota to continue the personal philanthropy, which she practiced in her lifetime.

Environmental Initiative Program

The Laura Jane Musser Fund assists public or not-for-profit entities to initiate or implement projects that enhance the ecological integrity of publicly owned open spaces, while encouraging compatible human activities. 

The Fund's goal is to promote public use of open space that improves a community's quality of life and public health, while also ensuring the protection of healthy, viable and sustainable ecosystems by protecting or restoring habitat for a diversity of plant and animal species.

The Laura Jane Musser Fund encourages the use of a community-based approach with broad and active local stakeholder participation in both planning and implementation stages of projects concerning the environmental preservation and sustainable use of public open spaces. It has been our experience that projects designed through this process have a greater chance of acceptance and lasting success.

The Musser Fund is likely to make a total of 5 to 7 grants in the Environmental Initiative this year. This is a very competitive granting initiative.

Funds will be available for: 

• Planning (UP to $8,000)
• Implementation (Up to $35,000)

Planning Grant Requests: Planning grant applications must demonstrate commitment to a broad-based, active community process for the design and use of local publicly-owned open spaces.

Note - The planning stage is optional and not a required phase prior to applying for or receiving an implementation grant. If an organization receives a planning grant from the Musser Fund, this in no way implies a commitment on the part of the Musser Fund to provide the organization with any subsequent implementation grant. 

Implementation Grant Requests:  Implementation grant applications must demonstrate clear evidence of local community active participation and support.

Alaska Airlines Foundation

The Alaska Airlines Foundation provides grants that support young people in communities we serve, with a particular focus on underserved areas in Alaska and Hawaii where we have a strong presence.

We partner with community programs and initiatives that empower and engage young people, connecting them to career opportunities and helping them envision their full potential. We work with organizations that have a clear vision to prepare the next generation of leaders by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and pathways for success.

Grants are intended to support and strengthen new or existing programs offered by 501(c)(3) organizations. Preference is given to programs that serve young people between the ages of 10 and 24.

Programs should focus on at least one or more of the following:

• Career exploration and career connected learning experiences
• Mentorships
• Soft skills, critical thinking, empowerment, job training and leadership development
• Advanced degree or Career and Technical Certification or preparation and support

Funding

The Alaska Airlines Foundation generally provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Many of our grants will be on the lower side of that range in the first few years of our new criteria, to help us develop and learn from our partnerships. The average grant will be based on the number of young people served, geographic reach, organizational capacity, size of operating budget, demonstrated impact, and specific program budget.

Funds should be spent within one year of grant award.

Grants will be based on numbers of those served, geographic reach, organizational capacity, size of operating budget, demonstrated impact, and program budgets. Funds requested should not represent more than 10% of the organization's overall operating budget or more than 50% of the program budget.

Founded in Honolulu, Hawai`i in 2003, The GIFT Foundation of Hawai`i is dedicated to supporting and empowering charitable groups in the Hawai`i community. The GIFT Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), volunteer organization run by young professionals who are heavily involved in the local community. The GIFT Foundation of Hawai`i’s mission is to encourage young adults in Hawai`i to participate in philanthropic giving. Each year, one or more Hawai`i based grantees are selected to receive a one-time grant award from proceeds raised by an annual charity event.

Priorities of the GIFT Foundation

Proposals will be accepted in the following areas of focus:

• Projects that benefit youth and education programs in the state of Hawaii
• Startup projects in their early stages of development
• Projects that can demonstrate financial sustainability
• Projects that have leadership in place
• Projects that can demonstrate that they will have high community impact

Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with over 2,200 stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Our rich history is built on a long-standing commitment to serving customers and communities across the country since 1860 when we were founded by George Clinton Shaw in Portland, Maine.

Albertsons Companies Foundation

Albertsons Companies Foundation supports causes that impact our customers’ lives. Our stores provide the opportunity to mobilize funding and create awareness in our neighborhoods through our associates’ passion, partnerships with our vendors and the generous contributions by our customers. Our priority is eradicating hunger in our neighborhoods. Specifically, we actively seek out organizations that feed our neighbors today, help connect them to resources to feed themselves tomorrow, and end hunger forever.

About Nourishing Neighbors

Albertsons Companies Foundation's Nourishing Neighbors program is dedicated to fighting food insecurity and ensuring that at-risk children, adults, seniors, and families have access to the food they need to succeed. The program supports various initiatives, including providing nutritious breakfasts for children, holiday dinners, and school pantries. Since inception in 2014, Nourishing Neighbors raised and donated over $300 million, enabling more than 1 billion meals to be donated to communities, including those affected by disasters. The program also focuses on long-term solutions to hunger, such as connecting people to federal meal programs like SNAP and WIC. Through these efforts, we aim to create sustainable and lasting change in the fight against hunger.

We have set a bold new goal: to enable 1.5 billion meals and invest $10 million annually to break the cycle of hunger by 2030.

Nourishing Neighbor O Organics Fight Hunger Serve Hope Grant

This grant is generously funded by O Organics, part of Albertsons Companies’ Own Brands portfolio, to support organizations that are actively working to reduce food insecurity for low-income individuals, including children, families, women, and seniors.

In particular, we are seeking proposals for programs that increase access to meals and/or boost participation in federal nutrition programs, such as school meals, Summer EBT etc.

Funding will support programs including, but not limited to:

• Summer Meals: Providing free, nutritious meals and snacks to children and teens 18 and under during the summer months.
• After School Meals: Ensuring children receive free, nutrition meals during the school year, after regular school hours.
• Capacity Building: Training, technical assistance, and outreach to help organizations start or expand meal programs.
• Connecting People to Summer EBT: Programs that help eligible families access and use Summer EBT, conduct outreach, and assist with enrollment.
• Food Distribution: Support programs that help provide food to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

The funding period is one year from the date funds are received. 

Theory of Change

The Kūpuna Aging in Place (KAP) Program for Elderly Services supports organizations that provide a range of supportive services including community-based support services, adult day care & adult day health, and caregiver support services for low- to moderate-income kūpuna (seniors) age 65 and older and their caregivers so that kūpuna in Hawaiʻi can age in place, for as long as it is in their best interest.

Background

There are an estimated 282,567 kūpuna 65 years and older in Hawaiʻi making up 19.6% of the total population in the state according to the U.S. Census. By 2045, the population of kūpuna in Hawaiʻi 65 years and older will represent 24% of the population, as compared to only 8% in 1980. In addition, Hawaiʻi continues to have the highest life expectancy in the nation at over 80 years of age.

Many kūpuna in Hawaiʻi rely on informal or family caregivers. Data indicates that this trend continues to grow and for many caregivers this is a source of stress which can negatively impact workforce productivity and quality of life. There are approximately 157,000 family members in Hawaiʻi providing care for their loved ones throughout the year. The value of this unpaid care totals about $2.1 billion. In an AARP survey of Hawaiʻi voters aged 45 and older, about half said they were providing for or had provided care to an adult loved one. Sixty-three percent reported feelings of emotional stress and 51% struggled to balance their family and job responsibilities.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines aging in place as "the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level." Aging in place benefits kūpuna, their families, and greater communities. The Stanford Center on  longevity and the MetLife Mature Market Institute states that one of the key community characteristics that supports sustainable aging in place is “Community Supports & Services” including the availability of health care, supportive services, healthy food, and social integration. Supportive services include home and  community-based services and caregiver support services.The pandemic reinforced the  importance of “Community Supports & Services” for kūpuna and their caregivers. Organizations innovated to meet the needs of this high-risk population to address issues including food security, access to basic necessities, use of technology to access medical care and social opportunities, and transportation barriers. Kūpuna continue to experience challenges and support services are essential to maximize opportunities to age well, remain active, and enjoy quality lives while engaging in their communities, a goal of Hawaiʻi’s 2019-2023 State Plan on Aging.

Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) has provided grants for elderly services for over 30 years through the Persons in Need (PIN) program, now known as the KAP program. Recognizing the rapid growth in the number of kūpuna and the dependence on caregivers, in 2011, HCF adopted a focus for its aging grants to “strengthen the safety net of family and informal care giving services for the elderly, with an emphasis on families and elderly of modest means.”

Purpose

Through this Funding Opportunity, HCF seeks proposals from qualified 501(c)(3) public charities to provide:

• Community-based support services for low- to moderate-income kūpuna age 65 or older provided in kūpuna’s homes or at a center/facility.
• Tuition assistance for low- to moderate-income kūpuna age 65 or older to attend licensed adult day care or adult day health programs.
• Caregiver support services including education, support groups, and respite.

Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) understands that unique and special qualities exist for each community and neighborhood throughout our islands. We believe that nonprofit organizations supporting these communities are best informed of the needs and opportunities that exist through the connections and relationships that they build every day.

The HCF Community Grants Program seeks to support nonprofit organizations in their missions to respond to and address community needs, helping to build and sustain vibrant communities throughout Hawaii. Specific community funds established at HCF will provide for grants to nonprofit organizations that address the priorities of each fund. These community funds had previously provided grants through HCF’s FLEX Grants Program; however, HCF recognized the need to revise its strategy to reach a broader range of community-serving organizations with targeted and intentional work in specific geographies and focus areas.

The Community Grants Program provides project or program-based funding to nonprofit organizations benefitting the communities and people of Hawaii. Specific community funds established at Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) support the Community Grants Program. Three (3) grant rounds will be conducted throughout the year. Each grant round will have different fund priorities. Fund advisory committees will review proposals and make grant recommendations to support projects or programs that are most consistent with the purpose and priorities of the fund.

Ewa Beach Community Fund

The purpose of the fund is to support activities and projects of charitable agencies that work to improve the quality of life of the residents of the ‘Ewa area' Preference will be given to projects that address a community need and benefit the Ewa Community that:

• Are conducted by organizations based in the ‘Ewa area, have a history of involvement in the ‘Ewa community, or are partnering with an ‘Ewa organization, with strong preference given to groups based in ‘Ewa Beach
• Involve or serve youth, particularly out of school time, or the elderly
• Are supporting program expenses, as opposed to personnel expenses.

Grants are generally awarded for one year and will usually not exceed $10,000.

Changemaker Fellowship Grant

The NDN Changemaker Fellowship is a two-year fellowship designed to invest ($150,000 USD) in the visions, leadership, and personal and professional development of 21 Indigenous Changemakers working in their communities.

We believe that our people have the creativity, innovation, and determination to build healthy, resilient futures; defending our homelands and rights, developing model regenerative Nations, and decolonizing and healing our communities and families.

GRANT AMOUNTS

NDN Changemakers will receive flexible grant awards of $150,000 USD ($75,000 per year) to provide direct support in their NDN Changemaker Fellowship, leadership development, and work in their communities.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

The grant application includes questions of the Fellowship’s required components including Theory of Change Mapping, Education & Skill Building, Healing & Wellbeing, Mentorship and Coaching, and Network & Community Building.

THEORY OF CHANGE MAPPING

Indigenous leaders must have a bold vision for the world they are working to create as well as a theory for how they will get there. This will help fellows increase their depth of understanding of their work and enable them to continue to refine and increase their impact. For example, NDN Collective’s guiding Theory of Change is that in order to build the collective power of Indigenous Peoples, communities, and Nations, we must exercise our inherent right to self-determination, while fostering a world that is built on a foundation of justice and equity for all people and the and Mother Earth.

Applicants are required to create and submit their own individual Theory of Change, which encapsulates their philosophy for how they believe they can ignite change in the world.

EDUCATION AND BUILDING SKILLS

It is vital that Indigenous changemakers obtain the education and skills they need to be successful in implementing their work and vision. Each Changemaker Fellow will engage in skill-building or education programs during the fellowship. This can range from pursuing formal education or community-based education such as revitalizing cultural-based practices, grant writing, facilitation, community engagement, etc. Applicants will need to submit skills they would like to develop over the course of the fellowship to contribute to their effectiveness as a leader.

HEALING AND WELLBEING

Indigenous changemakers take on the pain and struggle of their communities, oftentimes at the expense of caring for themselves. The reality is that their own well-being is fundamental to sustaining their leadership and creating impact in the world. Applicants will be asked to submit their personal physical, social, spiritual, and emotional healing and well-being plan they would like to invest in during the fellowship.

MENTORSHIP AND COACHING

Mentorship and coaching are fundamental to the development of strong Indigenous leaders and can lead to increases in goal attainment, wellbeing, and overall leadership effectiveness. Applicants will be required to engage with a mentor and/or coach of their choosing at least four times (once per quarter) during the fellowship. Mentors can range from an elder or spiritual leader from your community to a professional executive coach.

NETWORK AND COMMUNITY BUILDING

To continue learning, growing, and creating social change, it is essential for Indigenous changemakers to have a strong community and network. Changemaker Fellows will be required to work towards creating, expanding, and/or strengthening their network(s) and building of community throughout the fellowship.

Overview

The Community Grants Program provides project- or program-based funding to nonprofit organizations benefitting the communities and people of Hawai‘i. Specific community funds established at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) support the Community Grants Program. Advisory committees will review proposals and make grant recommendations to support projects or programs that are most consistent with the purpose and priorities of each fund.

West Hawaii Fund

The West Hawai‘i Fund was established for the benefit of the people and communities of West Hawaiʻi, from North Kohala to Ocean View Estates. The West Hawaiʻi Fund aims to support programs that address equitable and inclusive access to services, build resilience and connection between different sectors of the community, and strengthen the long-term capacity of individuals and organizations to become healthy, vibrant, and sustainable.

Funding

Grants are generally awarded for one year and will usually not exceed $10,000.

Grants-in-Aid Objectives

Each awarded Grants in Aid grant shall be used to provide services to economically and/or socially disadvantaged populations or provide services for public benefit in the areas of the arts, culture, economic development or the environment, as further defined:

• Public Services
  • Funds in this category must be used to support qualified public services and programs for the target populations deemed by the CITY to be most vulnerable including, but not limited to, seniors, persons with disabilities, children, and victims of domestic violence, homeless persons, and those suffering from the effects of substance abuse or poor mental health.
• Arts, Culture, Community/Economic Development, and the Environment
  • Funds in this category must be used to support the sustainable improvement in the well being and quality of life of local communities, especially low- to moderate-income areas.
  • Projects could include, but are not limited to, the creation, development and empowerment of community based organizations, providing planning, organizational support, and technical assistance to organizations, supporting financial literacy programs and services, supporting micro-enterprise and business training, and supporting programs that promote cultural or environmental enhancement, protection, or awareness.
  • "Arts" means and includes music, dance, painting, drawing, sculpture, architecture, drama, poetry, prose, crafts, industrial design, interior design, fashion design, photography, television, motion picture art and all other creative activity of imagination and beauty.
  • "Culture" means and includes the arts, customs, traditions and mores of all of the various ethnic groups of Hawaii.

Funding

The requested amount for Tier I Grants must be at least $5,000.00 and no more than $10,000.00. The requested amount for Tier II Grants must be at least $25,000.00 and no more than $150,000.00.