Organizations in Hawaii have several genuine funding opportunities they can still pursue this fall. The strongest options identified in a review completed September 21, 2026 support housing, homelessness response, behavioral health, domestic violence services, disaster recovery, food security, and community resilience.

This guide separates open opportunities from programs that have already closed. Applicants should read the full instructions and confirm that required registrations are active before beginning an application.

Open now: Hawaii County federal housing and community development funds

Official program: County of Hawaii Program Year 2027 federal grant opportunities.

Deadline: November 16, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time. Application materials became available September 1.

Programs and anticipated funding:

• Community Development Block Grant, approximately $2.6 million.
• Emergency Solutions Grant, approximately $250,000.
• HOME Investment Partnerships Program, approximately $3 million.
• National Housing Trust Fund, approximately $1.5 million.

Eligible applicants: Eligibility depends on the funding stream and the proposed role. The county invites proposals from eligible organizations. CDBG and ESG commonly use public agencies and nonprofit partners. HOME and HTF may support qualified nonprofit or public partners and housing developers that meet the program rules. Applicants must use the county’s informational packet to confirm the eligible entity, activity, population, and cost requirements for the specific fund.

Community safety uses: Emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, essential services, rapid rehousing, affordable housing development, rehabilitation, public facilities, and activities that improve living conditions for people with low or moderate incomes.

Required match: The county’s overview does not state one uniform match for all four programs. Match and leverage rules vary by federal program and must be confirmed in the application packet.

Official application information: Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development grants page.

Open now: Ola Maui Nui Grant

Official program: Maui United Way Ola Maui Nui Grant, Cycle 1.

Deadline: October 31, 2026. The current cycle opened September 1. Decisions are expected in December, and the grant period runs from January 1 through December 31, 2027.

Potential award: A one time grant of up to $100,000. Maui United Way anticipates investing as much as $2.7 million during fiscal year 2026 to 2027.

Eligible applicants: Organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) that serve Maui, Molokai, or Lanai; community organizations with a fiscal sponsor; and previously funded nonprofits that remain in good standing. One application may be submitted per review cycle.

Community safety uses: Mental and behavioral health, health care access, domestic violence services, rehabilitation and recovery, disaster preparedness, emergency recovery, case management, housing stabilization, emergency financial assistance, benefits navigation, food security, and community readiness.

Required match: No match is stated on the public program page. Applicants should verify the full request for proposals before relying on that absence.

Official application information: Maui United Way Ola Maui Nui Grant.

Open on a rolling basis: Stronger Hawaii disaster response requests

Official program: Stronger Hawaii, using the Hawaii Resilience and Response Funder Collaborative common application.

Deadline: No fixed deadline. Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis as needs evolve. Because rolling programs can close when funds are committed, organizations should not delay a well documented request.

Potential award: No standard minimum or maximum is published. Recent awards posted by the fund include $20,000 to support the 211 Hawaii helpline on Kauai and $50,000 for Red Cross shelter, food, health services, and recovery work after Hurricane Lowell. Those examples do not guarantee the size of a future award.

Eligible applicants: Nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored projects, and community based groups engaged in direct disaster response, recovery services, or resilience work anywhere in Hawaii. Applicants should demonstrate a clear relationship with the communities they serve.

Community safety uses: Immediate relief, emergency shelter, food and health services, case coordination, recovery navigation, communications, and longer term resilience.

Required match: No match is stated on the public program page.

Official application information: Hawaii Community Foundation, Stronger Hawaii.

Open, but more specialized: Holomua community advocacy

Official program: Hawaii Community Foundation Holomua Marine Initiative, Strengthening Community Advocacy 2026.

Deadline: October 5, 2026, at 4 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time.

Purpose: The program supports community organizations and programs that strengthen advocacy connected to healthy nearshore marine resources and community stewardship. This is relevant to safety where local food systems, environmental conditions, public access, and disaster resilience intersect.

Award and match: The open applications page does not publish an award range or match requirement. Applicants must consult the linked guidelines before applying.

Official application information: Hawaii Community Foundation open applications.

Closed or awarded opportunities

The Aloha United Way Safety Net Impact Funding Opportunity for the 2027 to 2028 cycle is no longer open. Its application deadline was July 31, 2026. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs FY27 Malama Honua Grant for Nonprofits also closed its letter of interest period on July 29, 2026. Organizations should monitor both programs for later cycles, but they should not describe either one as currently available.

How to choose among the open paths

A Hawaii County organization addressing shelter, homelessness, housing development, or eligible neighborhood facilities should begin with the county federal funding packet. A nonprofit serving Maui Nui should compare its work with the Ola Maui Nui priorities. An organization responding to a current disaster or supporting recovery across the state should consider the Stronger Hawaii common application. Groups focused on marine stewardship and community advocacy may fit the Holomua opportunity.

Before submission, an applicant should confirm its legal eligibility, service geography, allowable costs, required registrations, governing board authorization, financial records, insurance, and reporting capacity. It should also describe a measurable safety outcome. A proposal is stronger when it explains not only how many people will be served, but also what danger, instability, or barrier will be reduced.

Selected sources

• County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development, grants and funding
• Maui United Way, Ola Maui Nui Grant
• Hawaii Community Foundation, Stronger Hawaii
• Hawaii Community Foundation, open applications
• Aloha United Way, Safety Net Impact Fund, closed July 31, 2026
• Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Malama Honua solicitation, closed July 29, 2026

All program information was verified September 21, 2026. Funding amounts and deadlines can change, so applicants should confirm the official page immediately before submission.