City accepting Grants in Aid applications
News Release from City and County of Honolulu, October 17, 2016
Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today that qualified nonprofit organizations can apply for grants available through the city’s Grants in Aid (GIA) program beginning today. GIA proposals must be submitted by 2 p.m. on November 14, 2016. Last year, more than $6 million in GIA funds were awarded to nonprofits across O‘ahu.
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, and the environment. The Grants in Aid Advisory Commission will score all applications on merit, benefit to the community, and soundness of the financial plan. This process ensures that the most beneficial and sound applications are selected free from political influence.
Beginning in 2015, a minimum of 25 percent of grant funds must be awarded to arts and culture category programs. In addition, each City Council district must be awarded no less than $250,000 annually to organizations that provide services specific and exclusive to those districts. Each organization may receive a maximum award of $125,000.
Information on grant proposal requests is available at the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services, Division of Purchasing website at http://tinyurl.com/hftkle7 under Proposal No. GIA2018. The documents are easiest to download with Internet Explorer and Safari. If assistance is required, 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. Hawai‘i Standard Time on Monday, November 14, 2016, 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 Tuesday, October 25 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 18 and Friday, October 21 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Please visit http://tinyurl.com/hf3p7eq to register.
Additional Background
The City Charter requires one-half of one percent of general funds be dedicated for GIA for the following two categories:
Public Services
Funds in this category must be used to support qualified public services and programs for 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 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, creating, developing, and empowering 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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