Grantseekers
We support organizations that have the passion to make a difference and the skill to work together to create lasting change.
Who we fund:
501(c)3 non profit organizations working in Hawaiʻi
What we fund:
The majority of our grantmaking budget is dedicated to the following priority area projects:
Community-based Environmental Stewardship
Culture & Arts: Creative Capacity
Early Childhood Education (invitation only, rolling deadline)
Opportunity Youth (invitation only)
We also provide a Capital Project funding opportunity once each year for organizations of any sector.
Kosasa Foundation will consider applications from organizations that serve as fiscal sponsors for other projects that do not have their own 501c3 status. The application must come from the fiscal sponsor along with the fiscal sponsor’s organizational budget and board.
The project description can describe the project group that is the focus of the request. Please note that our review and due diligence will be focused on the fiscal sponsor organization. If awarded a grant, it will be the fiscal sponsor that is obligated to complete the project and account for the expenditure of funds.
What we don't fund:
Non 501(c)3 organizations, endowments, debt reduction, annual galas or single event sponsorships, projects that do not benefit communities in Hawai’i, projects that re-grant Kosasa funds, religious or lobbying activites.
How to apply
Complete our short questionnaire so we can determine whether your organization is eligible to apply for the funding opportunity you’ve selected. Refer to the graphic to determine the most aligned funding opportunity for your organization.
If your organization is eligible to apply, we will send you a link to the Kosasa Foundation portal. Please allow at least ten business days for an email response to your questionnaire submission. Any inquiry submitted within ten business days of the application deadline will not be considered. Please note the schedule of grant deadlines.
As of November 4, 2026, the questionnaire is disabled while we evaluate the funding opportunities Kosasa Foundation will offer in 2027. It will be available again by December 5, 2026.
Important Grant Dates
All applications will open about two months before the deadline and must be submitted in the portal by 5PM HST on the bolded dates below
November 2026 – January 15, 2027
- Capital Requests
February 2027 – April 9, 2027
- Culture & Arts: Creative Capacity
May 2027 – July 30, 2027
- Community Based Environmental Stewardship
* Early Childhood Education & Care and Opportunity Youth applications are accepted on a rolling basis, by invitation only.
