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Hawaii

Grants, foundations, and funding data for Hawaii (HI).

Foundations

729

Total Assets

$3.3B

Total Giving

$861.4M

Active Grants

528

National Rank

#37

Hawaii State Grants: Funding Opportunities Across the Aloha State

Hawaii offers a distinctive grant funding landscape shaped by its island geography, multicultural heritage, and unique economic challenges. The state government channels significant resources through agencies such as the Office of Community Services, the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. One of the most prominent programs is the Grant-in-Aid (GIA) system administered through the Hawaii State Legislature under Chapter 42F of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which provides direct appropriations to organizations serving community needs. In fiscal year 2025-2026, the landmark Act 310 allocated $50 million in emergency grants for nonprofits through a partnership between the Office of Community Services and Aloha United Way, demonstrating the state's commitment to strengthening its nonprofit sector during times of economic uncertainty.

Beyond legislative appropriations, Hawaii maintains several specialized grant programs targeting the state's priority sectors. The Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism administers the Community-Based Economic Development (CBED) Program, providing loans, grants, and technical assistance to eligible nonprofit and community-based organizations. The Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research (HSBIR) Program, managed by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, supports technology startups and innovators. The Department of Agriculture offers Micro-Grants for Food Security, particularly important in a state where food imports account for a significant portion of consumption. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Grants Program specifically funds Hawaii-based nonprofits working on initiatives aligned with serving the Native Hawaiian community, reflecting the state's deep commitment to indigenous self-determination and cultural preservation.

The Hawaii Community Foundation serves as a critical intermediary in the state's funding ecosystem, investing charitable funds in communities across all islands through nonprofit organizations. County-level programs add another layer of opportunity, such as Hawaii County's $500,000 grant program supporting community food security and economic resilience. For organizations seeking federal pass-through funding, Hawaii's Commission for National and Community Service manages AmeriCorps programs with planning grants up to $75,000 available for new program development. Whether pursuing arts and culture funding through the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, homestead development grants through the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, or workforce training support, applicants should recognize that Hawaii's grant landscape rewards organizations demonstrating strong community roots, cultural sensitivity, and alignment with the state's sustainability and equity priorities.

Key State Programs

Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Program

Legislative appropriations under Chapter 42F for nonprofits and community organizations, with applications typically available in late December through mid-January.

Act 310 Nonprofit Emergency Grants

$50 million allocated through the Office of Community Services and Aloha United Way for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support Hawaii nonprofits facing financial challenges.

Community-Based Economic Development (CBED) Program

Administered by the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, providing loans, grants, and technical assistance to eligible nonprofit and community groups.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Grants Program

Supports Hawaii-based nonprofits with projects and initiatives serving the Native Hawaiian community in alignment with OHA's strategic plan, Mana i Mauli Ola.

Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research (HSBIR) Program

Managed by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to help small businesses develop new technologies and commercialize innovations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a Hawaii Grant-in-Aid (GIA)?

GIA applications are made available through the Hawaii State Legislature's website, typically in late December or early January each year, with submissions usually due by mid-January. The Legislature decides recipients, grant types, amounts, and administering departments under Chapter 42F of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

What is Act 310 and who is eligible for its nonprofit emergency grants?

Act 310 (SB 933) allocated $50 million to the Office of Community Services for fiscal year 2025-2026 to provide emergency grants to Hawaii nonprofits. Aloha United Way partners with OCS to administer the program. Eligible organizations must be Hawaii-based nonprofits demonstrating financial need and community impact.

Are there grant programs specifically for Native Hawaiian communities?

Yes. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Grants Program specifically funds Hawaii-based nonprofits with projects serving the Native Hawaiian community. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) also offers grants for program implementation on existing homesteads, funded through the Native Hawaiian Rehabilitation Fund and other sources.

What resources help Hawaii nonprofits find grant opportunities?

The Hawaii Community Foundation maintains open grant applications throughout the year. The Hawaii State Legislature publishes GIA opportunities annually. County governments, such as Hawaii County's Department of Research and Development, post local funding opportunities. The AmeriCorps Hawaii commission also lists federal service-related funding.

Does Hawaii offer grants for small businesses and food security?

Yes. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture offers Micro-Grants for Food Security to support small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations. The CBED Program supports community-based economic development. Hawaii County also launched a $500,000 grant program for projects strengthening community food security and economic resilience.

Top Foundations

Largest Foundations in Hawaii

#FoundationAssets
1Liliuokalani Trust$934.9M
2Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation$206.5M
3Harold K L Castle Foundation$171.3M
4Kosasa Foundation$159.4M
5Hau Oli Mau Loa Foundation$155.9M

Active Grants

Open Grants in Hawaii

Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Grants.govDeadline PassedBetween cycles — Between funding cycles - check funder for next round

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the University Nuclear Leadership Program (formerly the Integrated University Program), Scholarship and Fellowship Education Grant, Distinguished Faculty Advancement Grant, and

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the University Nuclear Leadership Program (formerly the Integrated University Program), Scholarship and Fellowship Education Grant, Distinguished Faculty Advancement Grant, and Trade School and Community College Scholarship Grant, Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Funding Opportunity Number: 31310022K0005. Assistance Listing: 77.008. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ED. Award Amount: $150K – $500K per award.

$150K – $500K per awardDeadline: Oct 20, 2022 (passed)
National Institutes of Health
Grants.govDeadline PassedBetween cycles — Between funding cycles — the RFA-HG-22-008 application window…

Multi-Omics for Health and Disease - Disease Study Sites (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)

The goal of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to establish Disease Study Sites (DSS) that will be part of a collaborative initiative to advance the application of multi-omic technologies to study health and disease in diverse populations. Together with the Omics Production Centers (RFA-HG-22-009) and the Data Analysis and Coordination Center (RFA-HG-22-010), the Disease Study Sites will leverage clinical conditions where multi-omic approaches are expected to be most informative to: 1) explore the use of multi-omics, integrated with phenotypic and environmental exposure data, including social determinants of health (SDOH), to detect and assess molecular profiles associated with healthy and disease states; 2) develop generalizable data harmonization, integration, and analysis methods, as well as best practices and standards for the optimal application of multi-omics; and 3) create a multi-dimensional dataset that is available to the research community. Each DSS will be primarily responsible for proposing a study focused on a disease area for which integrative multi-omics could be used to define associations with healthy and disease states and to detect changes over time. Each DSS will utilize effective strategies to enroll and consent participants, collect phenotypic and environmental exposure data, collect samples and measures over time, and contribute to consortium-wide protocol development, data analysis, methods development, and the production of the multi-dimensional dataset. While this program may provide some insights into disease etiology, its primary goal is to validate and enhance generalizable multi-omic approaches to identify meaningful biological changes related to health and disease. Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-HG-22-008. Assistance Listing: 93.113,93.172,93.396,93.399. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: ED,ENV,HL. Award Amount: Up to $500K per award.

Up to $500K per awardDeadline: Nov 18, 2022 (passed)
National Institutes of Health
Grants.govDeadline PassedBetween cycles — Between funding cycles — this NIH competition has ended; check…

Multi-Omics for Health and Disease - Data Analysis and Coordination Center (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The goal of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to establish a Data Analysis and Coordination Center (DACC) that will be part of a collaborative initiative to advance the application of multi-omic technologies to study health and disease in diverse populations. Together with the Disease Study Sites (RFA-HG-22-008) and the Omics Production Center(s) (RFA-HG-22-009), the DACC will leverage clinical conditions where multi-omic approaches are expected to be most informative to: 1) explore the use of multi-omics, integrated with phenotypic and environmental exposure data, including social determinants of health (SDOH), to detect and assess molecular profiles associated with healthy and disease states; 2) develop generalizable data harmonization, integration, and analysis methods, as well as best practices and standards for the optimal application of multi-omics; and 3) create a multi-dimensional dataset that is available to the research community. The DACC will be primarily responsible for coordinating Consortium logistics, outreach, and dissemination of findings; for managing and securing Consortium data; for creating the multi-dimensional dataset; and for coordinating and contributing to consortium-wide protocol development, data analysis, and methods development efforts. While this program may provide some insights into disease etiology, its primary goal is to validate and enhance generalizable multi-omic approaches to identify meaningful biological changes related to health and disease. Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-HG-22-010. Assistance Listing: 93.113,93.172,93.396,93.399. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: ED,ENV,HL. Award Amount: Up to $950K per award.

Up to $950K per awardDeadline: Nov 18, 2022 (passed)

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