Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Forestry Program

GRANT PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Our grant program encourages community involvement in creating and supporting long-term and sustained urban and community forestry across Hawai‘i.

Kaulunani has awarded grants to hundreds of non-profit groups, schools, community organizations, parks, museums, and arboretums. As of 2023, over $4.6 million dollars has been awarded to over 450 projects through these cost-share grants, which have been matched by over $9 million dollars in cash and in-kind contributions. 

We believe community-driven solutions are a vital part in addressing the Forest Action Plan (FAP) Objectives.

We support a diverse range of forestry projects impacting most urban areas in Hawai‘i. Get to know our current grantee partners! You can also check out all the projects we’ve funded since 1993 on our StoryMap.

The Kaulunani Council encourages applications from communities large and small across all islands, and values the principles of equity, access, and environmental justice in project partnerships.

CELEBRATING YEAR OF OUR COMMUNITY FORESTS 

GRANT APPLICATION IS OPEN!

Kaulunani is excited to announce a unique grant opportunity as part of our “Year of Our Community Forests” campaign. This initiative aims to celebrate, raise awareness, and engage communities around the vital role of our community forests— our trees and green spaces where we live, learn, and play. More information here. Different from Kaulunani’s usual tree planting and distribution project funding opportunities, these projects must prioritize education, awareness, and outreach.

Who can apply? Communities from all islands of Hawaiʻi are encouraged to apply. We invite proposals from non-profit organizations, community groups, educational institutions, and non-federal government agencies who share our vision of growing and celebrating vibrant, healthy, and inclusive urban and community forests across Hawaiʻi.  All awardees must become compliant with State Government requirements and provide Hawaiʻi Compliance Express certification at time of award.

What kind of projects are eligible? Project examples include, but are not limited to, Community Engagement and Community Celebration (e.g., tree climbing events, community forest fun run, Exceptional Tree tour); Public Awareness and Collaborative Outreach (e.g., through shared messaging, social media efforts, and the coordination of events and campaigns, school visits, library visits, farmers market engagement, celebrate trees as healers such as medicines for people, bioremediation for ʻāina, cooling); Tree Care: Nurture and celebrate trees in urban and community settings, ensuring their growth and health; Cultural and Artistic Inspiration and Expression (e.g., agroforestry inspired recipe book or cooking event, lei making workshop featuring materials from trees, mural, music, hula, dance, theater, film festival, fashion show, drag show).

Please see full Request for Proposals here.

Award range: $10,000–$20,000

Deadline to apply: January 26th, 2025 (11: 59pm HST)

Informational webinar: Wednesday, December 18th between 12 pm – 1 pm. Please register here.

Applications may only be submitted via the online form.

Notification: Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by February 18th 2025

For more information and questions about this grant opportunity, please contact Kate Wiechmann, Community Partnership Coordinator at [email protected].

COMMUNITY GRANTS

COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED

Kaulunani supports a wide range of urban and community forest projects that promote the protection and enhancement of urban and community forest ecosystems – tree planting, the care of trees, and education on tree issues where we live, work, learn, and play. Kaulunani Community Partnership grants are awarded biannually.

Grant Categories: 1) General Community Grants and 2) Arbor Day 2024

Who can apply? Communities from all islands of Hawaiʻi are encouraged to apply. Eligible applicants include organizations, schools, religious centers, community groups, and state and county agencies. All awardees must become compliant with State Government requirements and provide Hawaiʻi Compliance Express certification at time of award.

What kind of projects are eligible? Projects should relate to urban and community forestry on public or publicly accessible land or educational institutions in Hawaiʻi. Eligible activities include planting, caring for, learning about, and/or expanding the communities’ relationship with the trees and forests. See the 2024 Request for Proposals for more information.

Projects must be completed by:

• December 31, 2024 (Arbor Day 2024)
• August 15, 2025 (Community Grants)

Award range: $3,000–$15,000

How do I apply? Applications are currently closed.

For more information and questions about the community grant program, please contact Kate Wiechmann, Community Partnership Coordinator at [email protected].

INFLATION REDUCTION ACT

INFLATION REDUCTION ACT KAULUNANI GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program received $1.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to fund tree planting and related projects in locations the program needs to reach.

Through an opportunity open to state urban and community forestry programs, Kaulunani was awarded $1.5 million in IRA funding and sub-granted 80% of this to community partners. The remaining 20% will be used for program support.

Applications for IRA funding are closed and all funds have been awarded. Award announcements were made in April in this DLNR news release. Click here to meet the Kaulunani IRA Grantees!

Through an opportunity not limited to state programs, an additional $2 million in IRA funding was awarded to Kaulunani to support two projects. Both will be led from within the overall Kaulunani program through 2028:

• Community Coconut Project 
• Shade Trees for Schools Project

For more information and questions about IRA funding, please contact Koki Atcheson, IRA Community Partnerships Coordinator at [email protected].

2024 STATE FUNDING

STATE FUNDING APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED

Special funding from the Department of Land and Natural Resources enabled Kaulunani to support seven additional three-year urban and community forestry projects. Recognizing the investment in community forests on local to global scales, this funding demonstrates the state of Hawaiʻi’s commitment to the forests where we live, work, learn, and play. 

Applications for state funding are closed. All funds have been awarded and this opportunity is not expected to open again. You can meet the state-funded partners in this news release or on our current partners page.

For more information and questions about IRA funding, please contact Koki Atcheson, IRA Community Partnerships Coordinator at [email protected].

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL GRANT APPLICATION

Please read our Grant Guidelines carefully. We also suggest contacting Kaulunani staff ([email protected]) to discuss your application well in advance of the deadline so we can provide support and guidance.

Once your application has been submitted, the Kaulunani Advisory Council reviews and makes decisions during the forthcoming quarterly Council meeting. Visit the Kaulunani Council Page for more information on the Council and quarterly meeting dates.

A NOTE FOR PROPOSED TREE PLANTING PROJECTS

Tree planting projects are asked to use native species, Polynesian introductions, or non-invasive plants that are screened by the Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment and are predicted to be a low risk of becoming invasive. All Budget forms for tree planting/giveaway projects must include Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) scores. These can be found through the Plant Pono or Hawaii Weed Risk Assessment websites.

RESOURCES FOR CURRENT GRANTEES

Forms:

• Kaulunani Grant Recognition Guidelines (PDF)
• Sample of Volunteer Tracking Form (Microsoft Word .docx)
• Interim Report Form (Online Form)
• Final Report Form (Online Form)

Kaulunani Logos:

• Enclosed Square Kaulunani Logo, color (png)
• Square Kaulunani Logo, color (png)
• Horizontal Kaulunani Logo, color (png)
• Square Kaulunani Logo, black (png)
• Horizontal Kaulunani Logo, black (png)

Agency Logos:

• DLNR Logo (png)
• Forestry and Wildlife Logo (png)

Additional Grant Opportunities

The table below lists some of the known opportunities for Urban & Community grant funding for which funding is available.

We welcome your proposals to pursue any and all opportunities, please contact prior to submitting an application.

Pre-Proposals are required for most opportunities and we strongly encourage you to complete this brief form so we are aware of your wonderful work and can match you to appropriate funding opportunities that may arise.