The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has released two grant solicitations. The first is the ʻAhahui Grants program which provides financial assistance to support nonprofit organizations hosting community events that align with OHA’s 2020-2035 Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan and that provide significant benefits to the Hawaiian community. The second is a new community grant targeted specifically to aid Native Hawaiian families living on Hawaiian Homestead lands.
In early February, OHA also announced its new Iwi Kūpuna Repatriation and Reinterment Grant with more than $140,000 committed to this grant program. The application window for that grant has already closed.
ʻAhahui Grant
ʻAhahui grants support events that are free to attend, publicly announced, and open to the larger community. This grant program is not intended to support fundraisers, award and recognition events, or individuals and groups seeking financial assistance to participate in an event.
Historically, ʻAhahui grants have been used to support large gatherings in beneficiary communities. However, with the restrictions on large gatherings due to COVID-19 and a mindset toward community safety, OHA anticipates applications that will reflect applicants’ creativity, innovation and technically savvy to meet the intent of the grant.
$200,000 in funds are available for this application solicitation for events occurring between July 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021. Nonprofit organizations may apply for grant awards of up to $10,000 and may receive only one ʻAhahui grant award in a single fiscal year. The application deadline for the ʻAhahui grant is Friday, March 12, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. HST.
Homestead Community Grant
OHA is dedicating $250,000 to its new Homestead Community Grant. OHA is soliciting applications from nonprofit organizations that administer community-based programs or projects designed to strengthen Hawaiian Homestead beneficiaries, families, and communities.
According to the 2010 Census, there are nearly 31,000 people living on Hawaiian Homelands, representing some 75 homesteads across the islands.
Project proposals may include, but are not limited to, programs that meet Hawaiian Homestead communities’ basic needs such as home repairs, handrails, guardrails, ramps, internet access and transportation; providing aids such as walkers, canes, eyeglasses, hearing aids, protective footwear and dental services; or program or activity supports in homestead youth, kupuna or community centers such as appliances, computers, internet access, safety patrol activities or after-school programming.
Proposals to provide advocacy education or support services to enable Hawaiian Homestead communities to advocate for ʻohana and communities will also be considered. Proposals must identify the specific services or activities that will be completed with grant funds to benefit these communities.
All project proposals must align with OHA’s 2020-2035 strategic plan framework, including the strategic foundations of ʻohana, moʻomeheu (culture), and ʻāina (land and water), and the strategic outcomes related to strengthening Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, families and communities.
“We are very pleased to announce this new grant solicitation intended to support the Hawaiian Homestead community. This grant is in direct alignment with our new Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan, which specifically calls for support of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and other efforts to help meet the housing needs of our ʻohana,” said OHA Board Chair Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey.
The Homestead Community Grant application deadline is March 5, 2021, at 2 p.m. HST. The anticipated grant start date is June 1, 2021, and the grant award period is for one year.
Funding awards will range from $25,000 minimum to a maximum of $75,000. Only one application may be submitted per organization for this solicitation. Applicants are required to provide matching funds of at least 10 percent of the OHA grant amount.
For more information about the OHA Grants Program or to apply for a grant go to https://www.oha.org/grants.
More information will be forthcoming regarding additional upcoming OHA grant solicitations.
