Kaulunani Grant Program

Kaulunani Grant 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.

Kaulunani Community Partnership grants are awarded biannually.

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.

  • Grants to support Arbor Day Hawai‘i celebrations across the state are awarded in February, with the RFP released in November and application due early January (Award range $3,000-$7,000). Click here to read more about previous Arbor Day Hawai‘i partnerships.
  • The second RFP is more general in nature and we welcome proposals across the categories of Technical Tools, Education & Outreach, Tree Planting, and Professional Training. The Council reserves the opportunity to release a targeted/themed RFP should it be deemed appropriate. The RFP is released in May, with applications due mid-July and funding recommendations made at the August council meeting. Click here to view the 2023 RFP (award range $5,000 – $20,000).

Inflation Reduction Act

HAWAIʻI IRA FUNDING INFO

Kaulunani has been awarded $1.5 million in IRA funding and will sub-grant 80% of this to community partners, while the remaining 20% will be used for program support.

The proposal application closed on 2/9/2024.  

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

Reference materials:

Kaulunani IRA Request for Proposals (RFP)
Kaulunani IRA Slides (PDF)
Kaulunani IRA 9/12/23 webinar recording

  • Blank Proposal Application (PDF) (Due February 9, 2024. Invited applicants received a submission link via email.)
  • Proposal Rubric

 


CURRENTLY FUNDED PROJECTS

We support a diverse range of forestry projects impacting most urban areas in Hawai‘i. We are proud to showcase our recently funded projects on the currently funded projects page! You can also check out all the projects we’ve funded since 1993 on our StoryMap.

Above is footage & interviews from a recently funded project ‘Carving Out Our Future with Nalu Andrade’. These workshops strengthened participants relationships to our trees and forests by carving māna ‘ai (babies first food dish).


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 Logos:

Agency Logos:


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.

Opportunity

Pre-proposal Deadline

Grant Deadline

Funding Range

Who Evaluates

Landscape Scale Restoration (WFLC) 

Annually in ~October 

Annually in ~November

$50K-300K

Hawaiʻi Forestry and Wildlife/WFLC

Projects that address “collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes” with components like tree planting, ungulate control, fire break maintenance, weed surveys. Consult with Hawaiʻi State Forest Stewardship Program who will review your pre-proposal.

The Britton Fund

Multiple

Quarter prior to deadline

$10K-100K

The Britton Fund

Partners with the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. Delivers research grants, scholarships, and information in the field of arboriculture. (Research grant application open through 12/31/2023)

TreeFund Research Grants

Multiple

Quarter prior to deadline

$10K-100K

Tree Fund

Research and professional development funding opportunities for programs that support knowledge discovery and transfer in fields of arboriculture and urban forestry. 

Arbor Day Foundation – various opportunities

Ongoing

Ongoing

Various

Arbor Day Foundation

Funds to promote community tree planting. Sign up on their website for notification. 

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

 

April 9, 2024

$75K – $350K 

USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production 

“Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) competitive grants initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access; education; business and start-up costs for new farmers; and development of policies related to zoning and other needs of urban production.” (source)

EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants

January 5, 2024

April 1, 2024

Various

Hawaiʻi State Energy Office

Hawaiʻi State Energy Office (HSEO) intends to submit a composite proposal to the EPA for this opportunity. Subscribe to the Hawaiʻi Climate  Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission mailing list for updates. 

2024 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program

 

Extended to March 21, 2024

$100,000 – $1,000,000

U.S. Forest Service

Cost share (matching) opportunity for projects that support climate-resilient tree nurseries. Only three awards are expected to be granted through this opportunity.