Kuleana Connect Grant Program
Administrator: Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association (HSRHA), in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine HOME RUN program.
Application status: Open on a rolling basis. The controlling HSRHA program page states that applications do not have a deadline and are accepted on a rolling basis. No exact closing date or time is currently published.
Funding: Hoʻomaka grants provide $1,000 to $7,500; Hoʻoulu grants provide $7,500 to $15,000; and Kūkulu grants provide $15,000 to $30,000.
Eligible applicants: Clinics, healthcare practices, community groups, collaborative partnerships, and individuals with qualifying ideas are encouraged to apply. Individuals may partner with a fiscal sponsor if selected. Funded projects must take place in and primarily benefit rural Hawaiʻi.
Eligible geography: Hawaiʻi County, Maui County, Kauaʻi County, and designated rural Oʻahu communities, including Waianae, Wahiawa, Waimanalo, Hauula, Laie, Kahuku, Haleiwa, and Waialua.
Program purpose: Community-driven projects that strengthen connection, belonging, collaboration, cultural understanding, provider well-being, rural healthcare workforce recruitment, and retention. Examples include provider-community volunteer initiatives, cultural immersion, recurring engagement and wellness programs, community health activities, outdoor wellness spaces, community gardens, and provider-family integration projects.
Submission method: Applications are submitted through the official HSRHA Google Form linked from the program page.
Program requirements: Awardees enter into a grant agreement with HSRHA, use the standardized participant registration and baseline-assessment process, complete the approved project generally within 12 months unless otherwise approved, and submit a brief final report. The number and timing of awards depend on available funding and committee review.
Restrictions: Grant funds may not be used for food, beverages, catering, gift cards, prizes, cash incentives, lobbying or political activity, fundraising, or costs incurred before award approval. No cost-share or matching requirement is stated in the controlling public program page and application materials reviewed by Atlas.
Atlas assessment
Atlas Grant Fit Score: 92/100
Healthcare / human-services fit: 96/100 for rural Hawaiʻi clinics, healthcare practices, and community organizations with provider-wellness, recruitment, retention, or provider-community connection projects.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The program is centered on workforce connection and community well-being rather than telehealth equipment or device procurement.
QC Healthcare Fit: 30/100. QC-related participation could be relevant only where it truthfully supports an eligible provider-community or workforce project; the grant is not a direct clinical-services procurement.
Dr. Miltie direct applicant: No. This opportunity is best suited to eligible Hawaiʻi clinics, practices, community groups, partnerships, and individuals serving rural communities.
Strong Hawaiʻi applicant example: Project Vision Hawaiʻi appears programmatically aligned because its current first-party materials document statewide mobile health services, rural-access work, and active medical-respite programs on Kauaʻi and Maui. Final fit remains project-specific and depends on the proposed activity, rural benefit, allowable budget, and HSRHA review.
Official sources: HSRHA Kuleana Connect Grant Program | Official grant application | Hawaiʻi Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunities