Be sure to carefully review the Funding Guidelines before writing a grant proposal. We also encourage you to call or email in advance to discuss your plans and see if it is a good fit.

Priority funding will go to organizations that: 

• Clearly articulate and demonstrate a commitment to social change in Hawai’i
• Submit a clear, realistic proposal 
• Have a strong track record, analysis, and expertise in issue areas 
• Hold valid and current 501c3 nonprofit status, and/or is a fiscally sponsored project by a valid and current 501c3 nonprofit
• Are physically and fiscally based in Hawaiʻi
• Have an Organizational budget of $300,000 or less*

*Organizations with budgets of more than $300,000 may apply if they have a discrete social justice project with a budget of less than this amount that a) needs seed money for a new activity or, b) is unlikely to meet the guidelines of other funding sources because of its goals or strategies.

Are in alignment with HPF funding priorities: 

• Power Building: Increased capacity to build power in directly impacted communities and movements 
• Long-term Systems Change: Strategic work with a long-term vision that is clearly linked to current work plans 
• Directly-Impacted Leadership: Leadership Team and/or Staff are representative of the communities impacted by the social injustice the hui seeks to address
• Challenges Systems of Oppression: Shifts paradigms and offers alternatives to existing institutions and systems that perpetuate injustice
• Social Changemakers: Sees themselves as part of a larger movement for social justice
• Are “grassroots” organizations: Volunteer-based, transitioning from volunteer to paid staff, or substantially looking to increase staff capacity

JustFund is the nation’s first – and only – common grant application platform designed to move more money to movements, particularly communities that are chronically underfunded and historically excluded. The JustFund Common Application™ is two parts.

Part 1: Complete and publish your profile. Your published profile will be visible to all funders in the JustFund community, increasing the reach of your work to new funders and networks. You can update your profile at any time. Once your profile is published, your work will be visible to hundreds of JustFunders on the platform to view and fund. In addition, you can proceed to search and apply to eligible Funding Opportunities, via the “Funding Opportunities” tab of your dashboard.

Part 2: Complete any specific questions and attachments requested by the available Funding Opportunity. Once submitted, this content will be visible only to you and the funder requesting this information.

Please ensure that all fields in your profile are up to date when applying to a Funding Opportunity. As part of your application, your profile information will also be submitted and dated at time of submission.

Once your application is submitted, you will not be able to edit any content. The only change you will be able to do after submission is to upload new attachments by clicking the ATTACHMENT button on your submitted application.

If you have any questions, please email for kōkua at info@justfund.us.

The broad categories of work that Hawai’i People’s Fund supports include:

• Action Research
• Arts & Cultural Activism
• Cross-Issue Organizing
• Human and Civil Rights
• Environmental Justice
• Economic Justice
• Grassroots Leadership
• Political Organizing
• Peace and International Solidarity
• Movement Building
• Youth Organizing
• Public Policy Advocacy
• Workers’ Rights
• Indigenous Rights
• Reproductive Justice
• Disability Justice
• Landback
• Work that supports communities building real time solutions in response to the Maui fires
• Work that supports communities building real time solutions in response to the COVID-19 crisis

Hawai’i People’s Fund is committed to supporting grassroots organizations working to reduce the harm of current systemic failures, and welcomes strategic proposals that aim to support our beloved community during these unprecedented times.

“Grassroots” organizations are defined as at least three of the following: 

• Volunteer-based, transitioning from volunteer to paid staff, or substantially looking to increase staff capacity 
• Hold little or no access to institutional funding 
• Can identify areas of crucial infrastructure development needs 
• Are community-driven and responsive 

Hawai’i Peopleʻs Fund supports, funds, and amplifies the work of Hawai’i-based grassroots organizations challenging systems of oppression by promoting power building, culturally relevant support, cross-racial and cross-issue solidarity, and long-term capacity building and sustainability.

Yes. Applicants must hold a valid and current 501c3 nonprofit status, or be a fiscally sponsored project by a valid and current 501c3 nonprofit. All applicants must be physically & fiscally based in Hawai’i.

HPFʻs Grantmaking Committee reads the applications and makes a decision regarding funding proposals. The GMC is made up of members of our Board of Directors and community activists ~ it is comprised of your peers, people who are working/have worked for social justice and social change in Hawai’i.

Decisions are expected to be announced the week of 05/29/2024.

The maximum request amount for a Hoʻāla Grant is $5,000. The maximum request amount for a Kūpaʻa Grant is $10,000.

Hawai’i People’s Fund is a community-based public foundation. All money for grants is raised primarily from community members, and in part from other foundations that support grassroots activism for social change. In addition to supporting organizations, we are building a stronger sector of progressive philanthropy.