Hawai‘i Community Foundation invests charitable funds in communities across the State primarily through nonprofit organizations. Our core programs are designed to support a stronger nonprofit sector as we believe that these organizations are one cornerstone of a vibrant civic society.
We administer a number of grantmaking programs with targeted purposes or an island-based focus. Hawai‘i Community Foundation also assists several private foundations in delivering their grantmaking programs according to their specific strategies.
Our Competitive Grants
Each competitive grant program has its own funding priorities and proposal requirements. To find the funding sources that are most appropriate for your work, choose from one of the options below to begin your search.
Currently Accepting Applications
Artists in Residence – Laila Twigg Smith Art Fund
The Laila Twigg-Smith Art Fund Artists in Residence program supports organizations/programs to host artist(s) in residence to spend time in Hawaiʻi to focus on their own artistic practice while engaging Hawaiʻi-based artists and the broader community through dynamic, meaningful interactions that have the potential for long term impact.
Deadline: Monday, June 15, 2026, 4:00 p.m. HST
Family Literacy
This funding opportunity supports nonprofits that build the capacity of parents and caregivers to serve as their child’s first and most important teacher. Two‑year grants will enable organizations to equip caregivers with the tools, resources, and strategies needed to guide learning and language development at home for children from birth through age eight.
Deadline is Friday, April 24, 2006, 4:00 p.m. HST.
Holomua Marine Initiative Pāpio Grants 2026
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide short-term essential support to high-impact programs and projects that will achieve specific strategic outputs and outcomes that make meaningful contributions to effectively managed nearshore marine areas and resources in Hawai’i with strong community engagement, stewardship and co-management.
The rolling quarterly submission deadlines throughout 2026 are 4pm HST on March 20, May 15, August 28, and November 6.
Maui Strong Fund - Grantmaking Opportunities
The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation will be considering proposals that are submitted through the Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative, a pioneering philanthropic network designed to support communities impacted by the 2023 Maui wildfires.
Richard Smart Fund
The Richard Smart Fund supports nonprofit organizations based in Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island (ZIP code 96743) that are working to strengthen the future of Waimea’s people and place. This funding opportunity supports healthcare, educational, and charitable programs that reflect community priorities, demonstrate kuleana for Waimea’s future, and use place‑based approaches to address critical challenges and opportunities identified through the Waimea Futures Initiative. Grants will support programs that foster caring relationships, collaboration, and meaningful community engagement.
Deadline: Friday, May 1, 2026, 4:00 p.m. HST.
Youth ESD Prevention
The purpose of this Funding Opportunity (FO) is to prevent the use of Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs) and other tobacco products by Hawaiʻi youth under age 18. HCF seeks proposals from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations to address the youth ESD epidemic in Hawaiʻi in alignment with federal and state goals for tobacco prevention and control by equipping youth with the knowledge and skills to refuse experimentation and use of ESDs, and by engaging parents, caregivers, and other adult influencers of youth under 18 to raise awareness about the harms of ESDs and to build skills in preventing youth ESD use in their families and communities.
Deadline: Friday, April 24, 4:00 p.m. HST.
Private Foundations
Applications for these private foundations along with application processes and deadlines can be found on the individual private foundation's websites listed below.
Atherton Family Foundation
The Atherton Family Foundation supports a broad spectrum of programs and projects that benefit the people of Hawaiʻi.
Cooke Foundation, Limited
The Cooke Foundation supports endeavors in the community that the family believes will make a significant difference in the betterment and welfare of the people of Hawai‘i.
Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation
The Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation supports projects that benefit the people of Maui County.
Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation also administers several grantmaking programs for the Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation. The information regarding their application processes and deadlines can be found below:
Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation - Capacity Building
Supports projects to increase the capacity of organizations and programs to deliver and grow quality services to foster children and their families.
Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation - Enhancements
The purpose of the Foundation's Enhancements for Foster Children program is to enhance the lives of foster children by providing items and services that allow them to enjoy a quality of life similar to that of their peers.
Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation - Supporting Foster Children and their Caregivers
Supports foster children and their families.
Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation - Supporting Transitioning Foster Youth
The Foundation supports the Hawai‘i Youth Opportunities Initiative, a Co-Investment site with the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative.
Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation - Family Strengthening and Prevention Programs
Through this program, the Foundation would like to fund organizations leading initiatives and services that aim to prevent families and young people from entering the foster care system. These programs often operate with family strengthening strategies and prevention-focused initiatives that strategically address some of the key reasons Hawai‘i children are entering care.
For more information regarding private foundations and their available grantmaking please call (808) 566-5540 or email us at foundations@hcf-hawaii.org