City now accepting Grants in Aid applications

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, October 11, 2023 

Honolulu – Mayor Rick Blangiardi 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 22, 2023.  Last year more than $10.6 million in GIA were awarded to 67 nonprofits across O‘ahu. Please note this is the City’s annual Grants In Aid request for grant proposals, not the Non-Profit Relief Program that will be funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARPA).  

“Our non-profits are critical drivers of arts and culture among many things in Honolulu, but all are equally important to Oʻahu’s economic development,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Each and every one of us, at some point or another, has been positively impacted by the efforts of our local non-profits, and we are proud to support their important work in any way we possibly can.”

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. 

“There is significant value in financially supporting the work of our local non-profits,” said Department of Community Services Director Anton Krucky. “Every dollar spent supporting the work of one of our non-profits is an investment with incredible returns. The support of Oahu’s non-profit network significantly affects the health and well-being of our citizens in a positive way.”

Interested agencies please download the Request for Grant Proposals (RGP) from the State of Hawaii's Hawaii Awards & Notices Data System (HANDS) website at https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities.  Further information is available at http://bit.ly/honolulugia2024 about the grant application process.  For further assistance, agencies may contact the Division of Purchasing Help Desk at 808-768-5535.

All agencies must submit their sealed proposals to the Division of Purchasing by 2 p.m. Hawai’i Standard Time on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 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, Hawai‘i 96813.  

Additional Background

The city is mandated by a Charter Amendment to set aside one-half of one percent of general funds for Grants in Aid 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.

—PAU—