Grants in Aid (GIA) Program

Grants in Aid (GIA) Program is sponsored by City and County of Honolulu, Office of Grants Management. The City and County of Honolulu's Grants in Aid program supports non-profit projects, services, and programs addressing community needs. This includes services for public benefit in the areas of arts, culture, economic development, or the environment.

DCS OGM Grants in Aid Application Guidelines - Department of Community Services Every year the City and County of Honolulu (CITY) awards a minimum of one-half of one percent of the estimated general fund revenues to qualified non-profit organizations.

To be eligible to apply for a GIA grant a Proposer must meet mandatory requirements: The Grant Proposer is a non-profit corporation or association, which meets two criteria: (i) 501 tax-exempt status as evidenced by an IRS determination letter, or which has a pending IRS application for such a determination; and (ii) organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific or educational purposes on a non-profit basis in which no part of the net earnings of the organization inures to the benefit of any private individual.

An organization that does not meet such criteria is generally not eligible for a grant, except for entities utilizing a Fiscal Sponsorship.

The Grant Proposer’s activity provides services to economically and/or socially disadvantaged populations including but not limited to, seniors, persons with disabilities, children, victims of domestic violence, homeless persons, and those suffering from the effects of substance abuse or poor mental health.

Or provide services for public benefit, especially low to moderate income communities in the areas of the arts, culture, economic development or the environment. The Grant Proposer is chartered or authorized to do business in the State of Hawaii and the proposed project to be implemented is within the City and County of Honolulu. The Grant Proposer is not in arrears on any financial or other obligation owed to the CITY.

The Grant Proposer has complied and shall continue to comply with all applicable requirements of Chapter 6, Article 29 of the Revised Ordinaces of Honolulu 1990, regarding private organizations receiving grants of public funds from the City and County of Honolulu ( link to ROH Chapter 6, Article 29 ) MANDATORY REQUIRE-MENTS MAY CHANGE DURING EACH GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD.

MAKE SURE TO READ THE REQUEST FOR GRANT PROPOSAL CAREFULLY EACH YEAR. The application and Request for Grant Proposals (RGP) become available online in September/October. The Grant Proposer must download the application and Request for Grant Proposals (RGP) from the State of Hawaii’s Hawaii Awards & Notices Data System (HANDS) website by clicking HERE .

Registration is NOT required to download the RGP. Grant applicants are responsible to check the HANDS website for any updates and addenda issued by the City. Completed applications must be submitted to the Division of Purchasing by the deadline date and time indicated in the RGP.

Grant Proposals are processed and reviewed for eligibility and feasibility by City staff, including the feasibility and validity of Fiscal Sponsorship arrangements. Eligible Grant Proposals are provided to the Grants In Aid Advisory Commission (Commission), which meets during the months of January and February to select its recommendations for grant awards.

The Commission’s recommendations are forwarded to the Honolulu City Council by March 4 of every year. Selection and approval of grant awards are done by the City Council through the City’s annual budget process. Organizations that are awarded funds will be contacted by the Office of Grants Management in July (the beginning of the City’s fiscal year) to begin the grant contracting process.

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