Strength in Service Grant Program

The Strength in Service Grant Program, administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, aims to enhance the capacity of nonprofit organizations in Hawai‘i. This program provides vital support to organizations facing federal funding challenges, focusing on health and social safety net services. Eligible organizations must be registered 501(c)3 entities operating in Hawai‘i and must demonstrate a commitment to long-term sustainability. Priority is given to those addressing food security, health care, and immigrant legal services.

Hawai‘i Community Foundation invests charitable funds in communities across the State primarily through nonprofit organizations.
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.
Strength in Service Funding Opportunity
The Strength in Service Grant Program is designed to complement—not duplicate—state resources by offering nimble, transparent, and transformative support. It focuses on building nonprofit capacity, adaptability, and sustainability beyond short-term relief.
Grant Program Details
The goal of the Strength in Service Program is to support organizations that need to transform operations to maintain health, and social safety net services such as immediate shelter, food security, health care, public health including child welfare and domestic violence supports, immigrant legal services. For this first round of grantmaking, priority will go to social safety net organizations.
Organizational strategies to adapt to this current climate are unique. Suggested uses of the funds are:
Financial management – financial planning and forecasting, fundraisingLeadership and staff well-beingSafety and security concern – digital, physical security including information storageCommunity and crisis communicationsLegal review and supportStrategic planning for local sustainabilityRestructuring and/or merger

Eligibility

Registered 501(c)3 organization located in Hawai‘i with service delivery within the State of Hawai‘i. Universities, schools, and fiscally-sponsored organizations are not eligible to apply.Directly receives substantial federal funding for the purpose of program operations; and have received notification about termination, suspension, or significant reduction to your organization’s normal federal funds or can demonstrate that your federal funding is at-risk of losing or receiving a significantly decreased amount of federal funding. Plan to continue operating in Hawai‘i for the long-term (at least two years or longer).
Be in good standing with HCF (i.e., no past due final reports from previous HCF grants). Applications from organizations with overdue final reports will be administratively denied.

Ineligibility

Funds shall not be used to directly fund programs or services.Grant funds may not be used for: re-granting (i.e., redistribution of these funds to other organizations or individuals); endowments; for the benefit of specific individuals; major capital improvements including capital campaigns, construction or renovations (minor capital improvements required to implement programs are allowable); or activities that promote religious beliefs.