Best Honolulu County Grants for Nonprofits in Hawaii

The Hapai Pohaku Scholarship Fund, established in 2018 by Kapolei homestead leaders, aims to support students from the Kapolei homestead in pursuing higher education. Eligible applicants must be Hawaii residents, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, and be high school graduates or equivalents. The fund emphasizes the importance of community engagement, as applicants must reside in the Kapolei Region and will be verified by the homestead president. This scholarship fosters educational advancement within the local community.

Honolulu County, Hawaii students pursuing computer science or international studies at Hawai‘i Pacific University can access funding through Hawai'i Community Foundation’s Kawasaki-McGaha Scholarship Fund. Applicants must be Hawai‘i residents, demonstrate financial need, and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA; preference is given to continuing undergraduate recipients who remain in good academic standing.

Elementary school PTAs in Honolulu County, Hawaii can receive funding to host in-person STEM + Families Science Festivals that engage students and families in hands-on STEM activities. National Congress of Parents & Teachers offers US $1,250 - US $5,000 to PTAs in good standing located within the eligible radius of Honolulu County.

The Windward Youth Leadership Grant empowers youth in Windward Oahu to engage in community service projects that foster leadership skills and community pride. Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 support initiatives that benefit groups or organizations, ensuring that projects are youth-driven. Eligible applicants include youth groups and nonprofit organizations, with the aim of encouraging creativity and growth in their service efforts. This program emphasizes the importance of planning, execution, and youth leadership in making a positive impact.

The AAOMR Charles R. Morris Student Research Award aims to inspire early-career researchers in oral and maxillofacial radiology. This prestigious award, offered by the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, provides a $1000 monetary prize, a certificate, and free registration to their Annual Meeting. Eligible candidates include full-time pre-doctoral or undergraduate students from accredited programs, who are encouraged to present their research. This initiative fosters academic careers in a vital field.

Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and public schools in Honolulu County, Hawaii can seek up to US $25,000 to strengthen Windward Oʻahu’s youth, families, culture, and natural resources. With a mission to build community assets, Harold K. L. Castle Foundation supports innovative, collaborative programs emphasizing youth leadership, college and career success, STEM, and mālama ‘āina education.

The Clarence FW and Virginia WLC Young Living Trust provides scholarship support to Hawaii public high school graduates attending the University of Hawaii. Established in 2015, the scholarship aims to assist students who demonstrate financial need, maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and are pursuing a major in Education. Eligible students must attend full-time at one of the designated University of Hawaii campuses.

Hawaii residents pursuing a full-time MD at UH Manoa JABSOM’s Imi Ho‘ola Post Baccalaureate Program can receive scholarship support for medical education through the 'Imi Ho'ola Leadership Scholarship Fund in Honolulu County, Hawaii. Grants from Hawai'i Community Foundation help eligible students with financial need and demonstrated leadership continue their professional medical training.

The Waipahu Community Foundation Grant supports programs that benefit Waipahu's youth, focusing on education, cultural activities, and addressing juvenile delinquency. Grants, capped at $5,000 per quarter, are available to IRS-approved 501(c)(3) organizations and government units within the 96797 ZIP code. The foundation encourages participation in community programs regardless of financial ability, ensuring equitable access to essential resources for all youth in the area.

The Ko'olau Pilina Fund Grant, supported by the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, aims to enhance community resilience in the Ko'olau region of Oʻahu. This grant prioritizes projects that align with community values and support for organizations serving Hawaii. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and public schools, with funding ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. The grant fosters grassroots initiatives through an open application process, empowering local communities to innovate and develop sustainable solutions.

Full-time undergraduate and graduate students interested in coastal resilience and sustainability in Honolulu County, Hawaii can apply for Hawai‘i Sea Grant’s Peter J. Rappa Fellowship, which provides US $8,000 for an eight-week summer placement. This fellowship offers research, extension, and community-based education experience that may benefit students connected with local nonprofit or community initiatives.

Students in Honolulu County, Hawaii studying dance at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa can receive scholarship support for tuition and related academic costs through the Jean Erdman Scholarship. Grants from Hawai'i Community Foundation help undergraduate and graduate dance majors with financial need who show talent, commitment, and good academic standing.

Hawai‘i 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations can apply for up to US $3,000 in travel funding to bring participants, staff, or volunteers to the Kumulipo Showcase in Honolulu County, Hawaii. Grants from Hawai'i Community Foundation cover airfare, ground transportation, lodging, food, and related travel costs, including for rural communities facing access barriers.

The Brinker International Charitable Giving Program focuses on giving back to communities through support for kids, hunger, and education. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501c(3) non-profits and submit requests at least six weeks prior to events. The program does not support individuals, political or religious organizations, or explicit discrimination policies. Funding is provided through monetary donations or in-kind contributions like dining certificates.

Nonprofit organizations running natural resource conservation and environmental education projects in Honolulu County, Hawaii can access funding via Hawai'i Community Foundation’s Ka Papa O Kakuhihewa Fund. Programs serving youth and families on the Wai‘anae Coast and Kapolei that promote stewardship, renewable energy education, or habitat restoration may be especially competitive.

The IMA Foundation Grant focuses on empowering communities by supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to workforce development, financial security for families, and enhancing emergency preparedness. With a mission to provide philanthropic assistance, the foundation seeks partners that align with its vision and operational reach. Organizations must be 501c3 nonprofits and serve areas where IMA has offices, ensuring that their initiatives directly impact youth under 26 years of age.

The Ho'ākea Source Grant supports the Pu'uhonua Society by promoting projects that honor the perspectives of Hawai'i residents. With funding between $2,000 and $10,000, totaling $90,000 for the 2024-2025 cycle, the grant prioritizes visual artists and collaboratives based on criteria of place, relationship-building, and transformative change. Applications from historically marginalized communities are particularly encouraged, fostering a more inclusive future for all of Hawai‘i.

The William Lew Scholarship Fund, established by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, provides financial support for students pursuing bachelor's degrees in business and associates degrees in culinary arts. This scholarship honors the memory of William Lew and aims to assist students of Chinese ethnicity residing in Hawai‘i, with awards averaging around $6,000. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and attend specific University of Hawaii campuses.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Honolulu County, Hawaii working in STEM education or supporting military personnel, their families, and veterans can seek community investment funding. BAE Systems provides Honolulu County organizations with charitable support for programs engaging young people in science, engineering, technology and math or strengthening the well-being of the military community.

Honolulu County, Hawaii nonprofits serving children and families in need can access funding through GSF Foundation to support youth services, health, education, and basic-needs programs. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must be nominated by a current GSF associate in the area, who provides application materials and signs the proposed project submission.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on youth development and leadership in Honolulu County, Hawaii can apply for Lithia Motors’ Lithia 4Kids support to enrich the lives of children and their families. Grants from Lithia Motors help Honolulu County nonprofits strengthen local communities through programs that build confidence and positive decision-making in young people.

The Awesome Foundation offers Local Chapter Grants of $1000 to individuals and groups for innovative projects that enhance community engagement. Each chapter operates independently, focusing on unique interpretations of 'awesome' across various fields such as arts and technology. Grants are awarded monthly, emphasizing no-strings-attached support. This initiative encourages creativity and experimentation, aiming to inspire and delight communities worldwide. For more details, applicants can explore individual chapter preferences and restrictions through the foundation's website.

Hawaiʻi community college graduates and soon-to-be graduates in Honolulu County and across Hawaiʻi planning to transfer within the University of Hawaiʻi system can apply for the Margaret Follett Haskins Scholarship to support their continued education. Administered by Hawai'i Community Foundation, this award prioritizes students with financial need and a minimum 3.5 GPA.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on housing, skilled trades, clean water, sanitation, or community development in Honolulu County, Hawaii may be eligible for grants that advance local wellbeing. Grants from Ferguson help Honolulu County nonprofits within the company’s geographic footprint partner on projects that strengthen neighborhoods, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life.

Hawaii public high school seniors in Honolulu County, Hawaii intending to major in education at the University of Hawaii - Manoa can receive scholarship support through the Kubota Foundation Scholarship Fund 2. Administered by Hawai'i Community Foundation, this fund assists financially needy students in good academic standing, with renewal possible for prior recipients who maintain required GPAs.

Nonprofits and public institutions running food access and nutrition programs in Honolulu County, Hawaii can access funding through Bayer Fund to address malnutrition, obesity, and food insecurity. Eligible applicants must be established, financially sound 501(c)(3) organizations or government units located in an eligible legacy-Monsanto community, serving underserved families and young children with education or healthy food access initiatives.

The Toraji & Toki Yoshinaga Scholarship Fund, established in 1996 by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, supports students attending BYU-Hawaii, Chaminade University, or Hawaii Pacific University. Award amounts vary, typically averaging around $6,000, based on financial need and academic standing. Applicants must be residents of Hawai‘i and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Preference is given to previous recipients who continue to meet eligibility criteria.