How to Find Grants for Nonprofits in Hawaii
You're Not Alone in This
If you're reading this, you're probably juggling a lot. Maybe you're running programs, managing volunteers, and now someone's asked you to "find some grants." Or maybe you've been searching for funding on your own and it feels like you're drowning in irrelevant results, expired deadlines, and confusing eligibility rules.
I get it. Grant seeking can feel overwhelming, especially when you're doing it on top of everything else. But here's the good news: you don't need to be a professional grant writer to find funding that fits your mission. This guide breaks down exactly where to look, what to watch for, and how to get started — step by step.
Start with What's Available in Hawaii
Hawaii has a mix of state government programs, federal opportunities, and local funding sources. Here's where to begin:
State Government Grants
- Office of Community Services (OCS) – Manages the Grants-in-Aid (GIA) program, which opens applications in late December or early January each year. OCS also administered Act 310, a $50 million emergency grant program for nonprofits impacted by federal funding changes.
- Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) – Supports Hawaii-based nonprofits through its Grants Program, funding projects and initiatives that serve Native Hawaiian communities and broader community needs.
- Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program (DLNR) – Offers biannual Community Grants and Arbor Day grants for tree planting, care, and environmental education projects.
- Office of Homeland Security – Provides grants to nonprofits in urban and rural areas, with $50 million allocated to UASI-designated urban areas and $40 million to other locations.
Pro tip: There's no single state portal for all grants, but the Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO) maintains a Grant Database that lists county, state, federal, and local foundation opportunities in one place. Bookmark it.
Top Foundations to Know in Hawaii
Statewide Funders
- Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) – One of the largest funders in the state. They offer Community Grants for project and program-based funding, plus a Resiliency Fund for urgent needs. They support a wide range of causes, from education to health to the arts.
- Bank of Hawaii Foundation – Focuses on community development, education (especially financial literacy), human services, and arts and culture. They prioritize programs that integrate arts into children's education and address basic needs like food and shelter.
- Ama OluKai Foundation – Supports organizations that preserve and celebrate Hawaiian culture and the Aloha spirit. They fund community development, arts, sciences, language, customs, and educational outreach.
Mission-Specific Funders
- Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation – Focuses on environmental and societal problem-solving, with specific interests in environmental education, arts education for youth, and music education for youth.
- Marisla Foundation – Concentrates on marine and coastal biodiversity conservation, with a focus on Hawaii and other coastal regions.
Your Grant Search Toolkit
Here are the tools and resources you'll actually use:
- HANO Grant Database – Free. Lists county, state, federal, and local foundation opportunities. Also offers a readiness assessment tool called "What's in Your Toolkit?" to help you figure out if you're ready to apply.
- Zeffy Grant Finder – Free. Built specifically for small nonprofits. Search by cause, location, and deadline. No subscription fees, no paywalls.
- Instrumentl – Paid platform that helps you discover grants, track deadlines, and manage applications. Consider it if you're applying to multiple grants per month and need a centralized tracker.
- Aloha United Way (AUW) – Offers administrative support for some grant programs and runs the 211 Statewide Helpline if you need help navigating resources.
Pro tip: Start with the free tools. You can always upgrade later if your grant volume increases.
Eligibility and What Funders Look For
Most grants in Hawaii require that you're a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing. Here's what that usually means:
- You're registered with the IRS as a tax-exempt organization
- You're compliant with Hawaii state requirements (some funders ask for Hawaiʻi Compliance Express certification)
- You can provide basic financials and a clear mission statement
Some funders also look for:
- A physical address in Hawaii (this can be a barrier for remote or volunteer-run orgs)
- Specific policies (e.g., nondiscrimination, financial management)
- Proof of community impact (stories, data, testimonials)
Important: Government grants often come with reporting requirements and payment delays. Some nonprofits report waiting 90+ days for reimbursement, so plan your cash flow accordingly.
When to Apply
Timing matters in Hawaii. Here's what to know:
- Q1 is peak season – The first quarter of the year (January–March) sees the most grant deadlines in Hawaii, according to Instrumentl data.
- Late December/Early January – Grants-in-Aid applications typically open during this window. Set a reminder in mid-December so you don't miss it.
- Biannual cycles – Programs like Kaulunani Community Grants award funding twice a year. Check their site in early spring and early fall.
- Rolling deadlines – Some private foundations accept applications year-round, but funding may be limited later in the fiscal year.
Pro tip: Don't wait until the deadline to start. Many grants require documents you might not have ready (like board resolutions or financial statements). Give yourself at least 2–3 weeks.
Getting Started: Your First 3 Weeks
If you're new to this, here's a realistic plan to move forward without burning out.
Week 1: Set Up Your Search
- Create a free account on Zeffy Grant Finder and HANO's Grant Database
- Search for grants using 2–3 keywords related to your mission (see the list below)
- Save or bookmark 5–10 grants that look like a fit
- Set up email alerts or newsletters from HANO and HCF
Week 2: Research and Prioritize
- Read through the eligibility requirements for your saved grants
- Cross off any that don't fit (wrong location, wrong cause, wrong org size)
- For the remaining grants, check:
- Deadline
- Funding amount
- Application length (how many questions, attachments, etc.)
- Pick 1–2 grants to focus on this cycle
Week 3: Gather Your Documents
- Pull together the basics:
- 501(c)(3) determination letter
- Mission statement
- Program description (1–2 paragraphs)
- Annual budget
- Board list
- Save these in a folder you can reuse for future applications
- Start drafting answers to common questions (e.g., "What problem are you solving?" or "Who do you serve?")
Pro tip: You don't have to apply to everything. Start small. One strong application is better than five rushed ones.
Search Keywords That Work
Use these phrases in Zeffy's Grant Finder, Google, or HANO's database to find relevant opportunities:
- Hawaii nonprofit grants
- Hawaii community foundation grants
- Grants for [your cause] Hawaii (e.g., "grants for youth programs Hawaii" or "grants for environmental education Hawaii")
- Act 310 grants Hawaii
- Grants-in-Aid Hawaii
- HANO grants
- Hawaii private foundation funding
- Hawaii government grants for nonprofits
- OHA grants Hawaii
- Kaulunani grants
Getting Help When You Need It
You don't have to figure this out alone. Here are a few places to turn:
- Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO) – Offers grant navigation resources, a readiness assessment tool, and a searchable grant database.
- Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) – Provides funding and serves as a resource hub for nonprofits across the state.
- Aloha United Way – Offers administrative support for some grant programs and runs the 211 Statewide Helpline for general assistance.
- Zeffy's Grant Finder – Free tool built for small nonprofits. No setup required. Just search, filter, and save the grants that fit.
You've Got This
Grant seeking is a skill, not a superpower. It takes time to learn what works, what doesn't, and where your organization fits in the funding landscape. But you don't have to do it perfectly. You just have to start.
And remember: you're not doing this alone. There are tools, people, and resources designed to help you succeed. Take it one step at a time, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
