The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) is accepting applications for the Holomua Marine Initiative Fund — Strengthening Community Advocacy 2026 funding opportunity. The program supports organizations and community groups that are strengthening their ability to advocate for policy and community decisions that advance effective nearshore marine management with strong community co-management.
Funding and deadline
HCF estimates $250,000 in total funding and anticipates making 20 to 25 grants. An applicant may request up to 10% of its current annual operating budget or $10,000, whichever is less. The online application deadline is Monday, October 5, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. HST. Awards support a 12-month Community Advocacy Cohort beginning in November 2026.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include Hawaiʻi 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; community groups with a geographically defined area of responsibility, such as residents or lineal descendants connected to a moku or ahupuaʻa; and community groups organized around marine use or activity, such as fishers, limu hui, or dive associations. Groups without their own 501(c)(3) status must use a Hawaiʻi-based 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Existing and former Holomua Marine Initiative grantees, partners, applicants, and network participants receive priority consideration, along with applicants that strengthen geographic diversity and strategic impact.
Match and participation requirements
A minimum 50% match is required and may consist of cash, other grants, in-kind services, or volunteer time. Applicants must identify at least two organizational or community leaders to participate in the one-year cohort and commit to collaborative training, virtual gatherings, coaching or mentoring, and at least one in-person activity or gathering. Organizations with overdue HCF final reports are not eligible unless the outstanding reporting requirement is resolved by the application deadline.
Application and project focus
Applications are submitted through the HCF Grants Portal. Applicants must maintain a current certified organization profile and provide a program narrative, proposed activities and timeline, expected results, a program budget showing pending and secured income, a workplan, and a proposal budget narrative. Letters or emails of partner support and existing strategies or plans connecting the work to effective marine management are encouraged but not mandatory.
The funded work is intended to build advocacy capacity related to community-identified marine-management goals, including understanding legislative and decision-making processes, preparing and delivering testimony, clarifying advocacy pathways, collaborating with partners, and linking place-based priorities to broader nearshore marine-management efforts.
Atlas analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 78/100. This is a credible statewide capacity-building opportunity for Hawaiʻi organizations and community groups engaged in nearshore marine stewardship, policy advocacy, and community co-management. N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. QC Healthcare Fit Score: 0/100. The verified purpose is marine-resource advocacy capacity rather than clinical care, healthcare technology, or medical procurement, so N9+ should not be introduced or forced into this opportunity.
Official source: Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Holomua Marine Initiative and the 2026 funding opportunity.