Hawaii Project Resources:

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Hawaii Project Funding Sources

Funding may be available for your project. Many local, state, and federal agencies offer funding to community organizations, neighborhood groups, homeowners, and others. Navigating the funding process is not easy. Here are some resources to get you started. When speaking with representatives from one funding source or non-profit organization, make sure to ask for other recommendations and potential funding sources. Network!

Funding Databases

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance is a searchable database for communities needing information for air, land and water infrastructure projects including funding sources, reports, websites, and training on financing mechanisms and approaches.

The National Wildlife Foundation Nature-based Solutions Funding Database is an interactive database for communities interested in pursuing federal funding and/or technical assistance for nature-based solutions.

Federal Government Grants

NOAA’s Community-Based Restoration Program supports restoration projects that use a habitat-based approach to rebuild productive and sustainable fisheries, contribute to the recovery and conservation of protected resources, promote healthy ecosystems, and yield community and economic benefits. Since 1996 the program has funded more than 1,500 projects to restore coastal habitat.

NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management has multiple funding opportunities for coastal restoration and resilience.

US EPA’s Environmental Education Grants Program provides funding to support environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment.

US EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants Program—The Environmental Justice Small Grants Program supports and empowers communities working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues. The program is designed to help communities understand and address exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. Environmental Justice Small Grants fund projects up to $30,000, depending on the availability of funds in a given year.

US Fish and Wildlife Service offers resources for invasive species and administers many grant programs.

US Fish and Wildlife Service offers many grants for coastal restoration projects.

Grants.gov is a searchable database of federal grant opportunities and provides information on how to apply for grants and the grant-making process.

Call your Congressional Representatives and Senators to ask about federal funding.

State Government Grants & Funding

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a list of health and environmental agencies in every state. You may find grant opportunities by searching the websites of your state agencies.

Ask your governor’s office about state agency grant funding.

Local Government Grants & Funding

To find your local, state, or tribal governments, type the following into a search engine: your state/county and then the type of agency you are wanting to connect with (e.g., local government, tribal representative, state government). For example, search for “Alabama beach restoration permitting” or “New Jersey environmental protection.” Also try using terms that relate to your concern or solution. For example, “Florida coastal flooding help.” Try different terms, or combinations of terms, such as “grants, restoration, invasive species, marsh, natural resources, volunteers, funding, etc.” It may take a few tries to find the site and information you are looking for.

To find a specific local county office, type the following into a search engine: your local county or city and then the department you are wanting to connect with (e.g., environmental, planning, natural resources). For example, search for “Escambia County coastal management” or “Destin FL natural resources.”

Conservation Districts work directly with landowners to conserve and promote healthy soils, water, forests, and wildlife.

Foundations and Other Private Sources

The Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance Foundation provides fiscal sponsorship for groups conducting work that is consistent with the Alliance mission and goals.

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation has several grant programs primarily available to nonprofits and it assists several private foundations in delivering their grant making programs.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Hawai’i Conservation Program provides funding to strategically protect and enhance essential habitats in Hawaiʻi, from mauka to makai (from the mountain to the ocean), to reduce extinction risk and sustain resilient populations of native species.

The Community Restoration Partnership is a multi-year grant program that provides support for coastal restoration projects in Hawai’i that involve community stewardship activities and focus on durable and sustainable positive impacts on coastal and near shore marine areas.

The WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program will provide cost shared funding to states, Tribes, and other entities as they study, design and construct aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread regional benefits, and result in the improvement of the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat.

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a competitive program that supports the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands.

Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership offers project funding for 1) Design and Implementation and 2) Technical Assistance to support habitat restoration projects in the lower Columbia River and estuary.

Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Provides funding for projects including protection and restoration of riparian areas and beaches, watershed clean-up, education programs, and research of watershed viability.

National Parks Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program assists community-led initiatives to conserve waterways, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways.

Foundation Directory Online, from the Foundation Center, lists 140,000 foundations and other donors worldwide. Some basic information is free; more requires a subscription. Get access at your local library.

NOZAsearch has a large searchable database of charitable donations. Searches for foundation are free. Individual and corporate philanthropy searches require a subscription. Get access at your local library.

Contact local banks, businesses, and community foundations. Many have money budgeted for community service.

Consider crowdfunding through social media, individual donations from members of your organization, or a special event.

How to write a successful funding proposal

Candid, a service of Foundation Center, offers in-person and online classes on finding and writing grants, a knowledge base, examples of winning proposals and other documents, and more.

The Grantsmanship Center offers training and resources to help find grants and write effective grant proposals.

Classes. Many community colleges and universities offer classes on grant writing. Check the catalogs and academic schedules for your local schools.

Books. There are many books on grant writing. Check out your local library to see what might be available.

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