Best Hawaii Grants for Nonprofits

There are currently 100+ grants available to nonprofits in Hawaii. Of these, 50 have average awards greater than $25,000.

Among these grants, 2,000+ are dedicated to art & culture and 3,000+ are dedicated to education. Additionally, there are 100+ grants that support nonprofit programs and projects and 23 that support general operating expenses.

In Hawaii, grants are available from multiple funders. Here's a breakdown of where you can find the most grant opportunities:

• Private Foundations: There are currently 90 grants available from private foundations in Hawaii. These opportunities support a wide range of focus areas, including community development, education, health support, and more.
• State & Local Government: Around 18 state and local government grants are available in Hawaii. These generally focus on economic development, environmental conservation, and public health initiatives.
• Federal Government: There are 14 open federal grants currently available in Hawaii. Many of these grants fund infrastructure projects, disaster recovery, and scientific research.

When deciding which type of funder to seek grants from, nonprofits should consider their organizational objectives as well as their capacity. Keep in mind that government grants offer larger awards but require strict reporting and compliance.

The best time to pursue grants in Hawaii is during Q1 because 31.3% of grant deadlines occur during this quarter, giving nonprofits the most possibilities to win funding. Alternatively, Q4 only accounts for 20.8% of grant deadlines. Prioritizing your grant strategy during Hawaii's peak fundraising times will help increase your chances of success.

The nonprofit funding landscape in Hawaii has experienced substantial growth in the past few years. According to IRS reports, grant funding increased from $603.7 million in 2021 to $727.4 million in 2022. This represents a 20.50% funding boost. During this time, research institutes and/or public policy analysis, together with professional societies and associations, received the biggest share of funds among the nonprofit organizations. The counties with the highest grant funding were Honolulu County ($738.4 million), Hawaii County ($267.8 million), and Maui County ($132.7 million).