Kaulunani Grant Program
Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program is proud to deliver the Kaulunani Community Grant Program.
Tree Planting at Blanche Pope Elementary
Kaulunani grants have made nearly every urban area in Hawai‘i greener and more enjoyable through projects that have enabled the planting of, and support for community trees and our ‘āina.
Kaulunani has awarded grants to hundreds of non-profit groups, schools, community organizations, parks, museums and arboretums. As of 2019, over $3.6 million dollars has been awarded to almost 400 projects through these cost-share grants, which have been matched by over $8 million dollars in cash and in-kind contributions. Our grant program funds proposals that support urban and community forestry projects as well as the Arbor Day tree giveaway programs across the State.
Grants are awarded for projects that respond to a need identified in our Forest Action Plan. Most grant awards range between $500-$14,999, pending availability of federal funds granted by the USDA Forest Service. Large scale projects more than $14,999 may be considered with Program Staff consultation and require a Pre-Proposal (see `ulu level below). All of your urban and community forestry ideas are welcomed!
New Grant Opportunities with the US Forest Service:
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USDA Forest Service & National Association of State Foresters: Grant awards: $50,000-$100,000 Final Application Deadline: April 19th, 2021 11:59 PM PST How to Apply:
1. Carefully review grant requirements and grant categories in the Request For Proposals (RFP)
2. To indicate interest in this opportunity please provide a brief outline of your project on our online pre-proposal form by April 10th, in order to meet the final application deadline of April 16th and Kaulunani will be in touch.
We encourage you to contact the team via email if you would like to discuss your project first. Contact Kaulunani Today
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USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry: Grant awards: $100,000-$300,000 Final Application Deadline: April 16th, 2021 11:59 PM PST How to Apply: 1. Carefully review grant requirements and grant categories in the Request For Proposals (RFP)
2. To indicate interest in this opportunity please provide a brief outline of your project on our online pre-proposal form by April 10th, in order to meet the final application deadline of April 16th and Kaulunani will be in touch.
We encourage you to contact the team via email if you would like to discuss your project first. Contact Kaulunani Today
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Contacting Kaulunani: All applicants are required to contact their state coordinator, so for Hawaiʻi applicants that is Kaulunani, before submitting an application to the US Forest Service. This is so we can help best advise how to receive support, we look forward to helping your projects succeed!
Match requirements: All grant funds MUST be matched at least equally, dollar for dollar. Non-federal match may include in-kind donations, volunteer assistance, and private and public (non-federal) monetary contributions. While other Federal dollars or technical support may contribute to the project, they may not be used to match the Urban and Community Federal grant program dollars. If you have any questions about match, Kaulunani is happy to help provide examples and share options.
Grant Opportunities with Kaulunani:
| Upcoming Request for Proposals for Kaulunani Community Grants to be releases mid-May 2021 with applications due mid-July 2021. |
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Getting Started on your Grant
Step 1: Know When to Apply
The Kaulunani Grant Program strives to offer several grant cycles every year, with applications submitted to the first grant cycle receiving priority. Submissions are reviewed and grants awarded by the Kaulunani Advisory Council at quarterly meetings, with submissions due one month prior to the meeting date.
Due to uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaulunani is in the process of confirming grant opportunities. We would love to hear your project ideas and encourage pre-proposal submissions at any time in anticipation of future funding opportunities. Please fill out our online inquiry form to get started at any time throughout the year.
Stay tuned for more information regarding the upcoming community grant opportunities by joining the Kaulunani mailing list! Receive announcements on annual funding opportunities and urban forestry events. |
Kaulunani Grant Request for Proposals to be announced in May 2021, deadline in July 2021. Reach out to us now if you are thinking of applying. |
Step 2: Review the Kaulunani Grant Guidelines
 Download Kaulunaniʻs Grant Guidelines (PDF) Download and review the latest Kaulunani Grant Program Application Guidelines (PDF) These guidelines include information on (1) Background on the program, (2) Eligible Recipients, (3) Project Evaluation Criteria, (4) Match Requirements (5) Grant Timeframes, (6) Eligible Projects, (7) Ineligible Projects, (8) Payment Process, (9) Match Funds Requirements, and (10) Grant Categories. This will help you understand what you will need to submit an application.
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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.
Assessing Weed Risk Background: The federal Executive Orders on invasive species (EO 13112 and reaffirmed by EO 13751) directs executive departments and agencies to take steps to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species, and to support efforts to eradicate and control invasive species that are established. Kaulunani has supported the refinement and expansion of the Weed Risk Assessment system developed in Australia into a system tailored for Hawaiʻi and similar Pacific islands. In subsequent years, Kaulunani funds supported a liaison position to work with nursery and landscape industry and conservation, to bring awareness of the HPWRA, and in 2010, Kaulunani funded a user-friendly website (Plant Pono) where the public can access the HPWRA information and search for appropriate plants. Use these tools to demonstrate your project promotes the expansion of a healthy, non-invaive urban and community forest.
Step 3: Know your Grant Application Level
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Step 4: Get in Touch with Kaulunani Staff
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Step 5: Download and Fill out the Required Forms
Download an example application here for reference. Please note that all applications must be submitted through the online portal, this is for your information only. NOTE: 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. Plants that have not yet been evaluated can be submitted for evaluation directly through the sites. |
Step 6: Submit your Application!
Applications are accepted up until 11:59PM(HST) on the date of each deadline via the online form provided below. ANNOUNCEMENT: As of 2021, the Kaulunani Community Grant Program has moved to using a streamlined online application system! Kaulunani no longer accepts emailed applications.
Once you start your online application, you will be able to save your progress and return to complete your application up until the deadline. All applications will request the following attachments: (1) project timeline (2) budget form, (3) letters of support. For an example of what the online application has looked like in the past, download this Online Application Example (PDF), but please note that all applications need to be submitted via the online form. Reminder: Kaulunani no longer accepts emailed applications. Once you have submitted your application using the online form, you should receive a confirmation that application was received. If you have any issues, please be in touch with staff via email. |
Submitted?
Congratulations! The Kaulunani Advisory Council reviews and makes decisions on all applications during the nearest quarterly Council meeting. Check out the Kaulunani Council Page for more information on the council and quarterly meeting dates.
** ʻUlu Grant Opportunities & Timelines:
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.
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Opportunity |
Pre-proposal Deadline |
Grant Deadline |
Funding Range |
Who Evaluates |
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Forest Service Level II (additional) UCF Funding |
June 15* |
December 1 |
$25K-100K |
Kaulunani/FS |
| 2021 State Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program | March 31 2021 | $50k-$100ok | Forest Service | |
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TBA |
TBA |
$50K-300K |
DOFAW/ WFLC |
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Multiple |
Quarter prior to deadline |
$10K-100K |
The Britton Fund |
| TBA |
TBA |
<$100K |
HTA |
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| Multiple |
Quarter prior to deadline |
$10K-100K |
Tree Fund |
*A pre-proposal on June 15 followed by a complete proposal on Sept 15, then attached to the annual proposal to the USFS by Dec 1 would be ideally positioned to be considered in the normal UCF “base” or Level II grant funding to the State. Please email us with questions or clarification.
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Check out Kaulunani’s Currently Funded ProjectsKaulunani supports a diverse range of forestry projects impacting nearly every urban area in Hawai‘i every year. We are proud to showcase the inspiring projects by including spotlights on our currently funded projects! You can also check out all of the projects funded since 1993 on our StoryMap. |
Resources for Current Grantees:
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Contact DOFAW
