OHA unveils new ‘Granting for Results’ program

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has unveiled a new grants program meant to support statewide efforts to improve the lives of Native Hawaiians. "Granting for Results" offers nonprofits awards of up to $100,000 to help achieve one or more of 10 outcomes that are OHA priorities in meeting its goals: meeting or exceeding achievement standards in education, lowering chronic disease rates and increasing the earning power of families within the Native Hawaiian community.

Other results targeted by OHA are: creating stable housing; valuing history; participating in cultural activities; improving lifestyle choices; understanding the need for a viable land base; protecting natural resources; and transferring assets to the new Native Hawaiian governing entity.

"We are approaching our commitment to the overall well-being of Native Hawaiians with a new sense of urgency," said OHA CEO Clyde Namuo. "That has meant rethinking how we go about awarding grant money. Our new tack is to invest in community-based organizations with programs that are directly aligned with one of our 10 strategic results for improving conditions and creating long term and systemic change within the Native Hawaiian community."

Grants from the new program are in four categories:

• Ahahui Grant – Up to $10,000 for community events that reflect any of OHA's 10 strategic results and charge no admission to Native Hawaiians. Matching funds of at least 10 percent of the event's total cost are required. In addition, grants of between $10,002 and $25,000 are available for community events that can secure matching funds of at least 25 percent of their total cost. Applications are accepted twice a year with deadlines of July 15 and Nov.  15.
• Kauhale Grant – Up to $25,000 for community-based projects that directly impact any of OHA's 10 strategic results. Matching funds of at least 25 percent of the total cost of the project are required. Deadine to apply is Aug. 31.
• Kamoku Grant – Up to $50,000 for projects focused on increasing the family-income levels of Native Hawaiians. Matching funds of at least 25 percent of the total cost of the project are required. Deadline to apply is Aug. 31.
• Kaiaulu Grant -- Between $25,001 and $100,000 for community-based projects that directly impact any of OHA's 10 strategic results. Matching funds of least 50 percent of the total cost of the project are required. Deadline to apply is Aug. 31.

For more information about the "Granting for Results" program, contact OHA at (808) 594-1986 or  grantsinfo@oha.org.