City now accepting Grants in Aid applications
News Release from City and County of Honolulu, October 16, 2015
Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell today announced that qualified nonprofit organizations can now apply for grants available through the city’s Grants in Aid (GIA) program. GIA proposals must be submitted by 2 p.m. on November 16, 2015. Last year more than $6 million in GIA were awarded to nonprofits across Oahu.
The City Charter-mandated GIA fund administered by the Department of Community Services (DCS) was established by a voter initiative to serve economically and/or socially disadvantaged populations, or provide services for public benefit in the areas of arts, culture, economic development, or the environment.
Beginning this year, a minimum of 25% of grant funds must be awarded to arts and culture category programs. Also new for 2015, each organization may receive a maximum award of $125,000, down from $250,000 in prior years, in order to provide grants to more nonprofits.
Information for grant proposal requests is available online at the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services Office of the Division of Purchasing website at http://goo.gl/WOahy4. The documents are easiest to download with Internet Explorer and Safari. Should you require further assistance, please contact the Division of Purchasing Help Desk at 768-5535.
All agencies must submit their sealed proposals to the Division of Purchasing by 2 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on Monday, November 16, 2015, as evidenced by a date and time stamp from the Division of Purchasing. The Division of Purchasing is located at Honolulu Hale, 530 South King Street, Room 115, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Information Sessions
DCS will host a workshop and two webinars to assist nonprofits in preparing their proposals.
The workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Mission Memorial Hearings Room, 550 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Please call 768-5858 to register for the workshop.
Webinars will be held on Tuesday, October 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. and Monday, October 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. Please click hereto register for the October 20 webinar, or click here for the October 26 webinar.
Additional Background
The city is mandated by a Charter Amendment to set aside one-half of one percent of general funds for GIA for the following two categories:
Public Services
Funds in this category must be used to support qualified public services and programs for the target populations deemed by the City to be most vulnerable including, but not limited to, seniors, persons with disabilities, children, victims of domestic violence, people experiencing homelessness, and those suffering from the effects of substance abuse or poor mental health.
Arts, Culture, and Community / Economic Development and the Environment
Funds in this category must be used to support the sustainable improvement in the well-being and quality of life of local communities, especially low- to moderate income areas. Projects could include, but are not limited to, the creation, development and empowerment of community based organizations, providing planning, organizational support, and technical assistance to organizations, supporting financial literacy programs and services, supporting micro-enterprise and business training, and supporting programs that promote cultural or environmental enhancement, protection, or awareness.
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