Kaulunani Grant Program
Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program is proud to deliver the Kaulunani Community Grant Program.
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!
Kaulunani Arbor Day Grant Applications Now Open for 2021.
Deadline Feb 4th, see below for more details.
- Please note: Current Kaulunani grantees are not eligible to apply for an Arbor Day grant.
- All grantees may only hold one open grant at a time.
- There will be a general community grant funding opportunity later in the year. Look out for the announcement in early June!
Grant Program StorymapLearn about our program’s projects, successes, and highlights. Each tab of the Storymap displays different grant categories, listing several highlighted projects that have been funded through our program. The website also features an interactive map that allows you to explore other projects on all islands! |
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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 Arbor Day Grant Applications Now Open for 2021! |
Current Opportunities:
Kaulunani is proud to support Arbor Day Hawaiʻi in 2021, which will be celebrated on Friday November 5th & Saturday November 6th, by opening our annual Arbor Day Hawaiʻi Grant Cycle. Kaulunani is inviting community members from all islands to get involved by submitting a proposal to host an Arbor Day event in November.
RFP: Download the Full Request-for-Proposals here. (PDF)
Arbor Day Grant Award Amounts: $500-$5,000. (State total: $28,000)
Deadline: February 4th, 2021
How-to-Submit: Online Application
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.
(The above grant cycle is reserved for Arbor Day Hawaiʻi projects. Please stay tuned for more information regarding the upcoming community grant opportunities for 2021.)
Step 2: Review the Kaulunani Grant Guidelines
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
We highly encourage getting in touch with Kaulunani before the grant deadline to discuss your project ideas. We want to make sure your project receives the greatest opportunity to get funded and we are here to help you deliver the highest quality application. You can email Heather McMillen, the Kaulunani Program Coordinator with your questions or take advantage of our online pre-proposal form: Kaulunani Pre-Proposal Form |
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. APPLY HERE
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 asks for, 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.
Opportunity |
Pre-proposal Deadline |
Grant Deadline |
Funding Range |
Who Evaluates |
Forest Service Level II (additional) UCF Funding |
June 15* |
December 1 |
$25K-100K |
Kaulunani/FS |
[paused] |
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$50K-200K |
DOFAW/ NUCFAC |
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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.
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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