The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) is accepting 2026 applications for its Holomua Marine Initiative Pāpio Grants, a quarterly funding program supporting community-centered work that advances effective management of Hawaiʻi nearshore marine areas and resources.
Funding and deadline
Applicants may request up to $10,000 for a project term of up to 12 months. HCF anticipates making 5 to 10 awards per quarter, with a maximum of $50,000 in total awards per quarter. The remaining 2026 Q4 application deadline is Friday, November 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. HST, with an anticipated decision date of December 11, 2026.
Who can apply
Applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Organizations without their own 501(c)(3) status may apply through a fiscal sponsor. Applicants must have completed all required final reports for any previously awarded HCF Holomua Marine Initiative Fund Pāpio grant. HCF prioritizes community-based organizations, organizations with no more than one prior Holomua Marine grant, organizations with no more than one open Holomua Marine grant, and projects serving sites and communities not previously supported by the fund. Government-entity proposals must be developed and submitted in partnership with community organizations; federal entities are not eligible.
Supported activities
The funding opportunity supports work in five broad focus areas: capacity, coordination, data and monitoring, engagement, and governance. Examples include community engagement and stewardship, community co-management, educational and outreach activities, biological and socio-economic monitoring, management planning and implementation, community-designed surveillance and enforcement, and innovative community-based strategies that advance healthy nearshore marine ecosystems and abundant marine resources.
The controlling 2026 funding opportunity does not state a mandatory match or cost-share requirement and does not publish a separate universal line-item eligible-cost schedule. Applicants must submit a project budget showing income and expenses, identify pending and secured income sources, and provide a proposal budget narrative. Atlas will not infer cost eligibility beyond the activities and requirements stated by HCF.
Application requirements
Applications are submitted through the HCF Grants Portal. The organization profile must be current and certified and includes nonprofit status information, mission, service locations, staffing, financial statements, and board information. The application includes program overview, organization and program narrative, problem or opportunity, activities and timeline, expected results, a project budget, a workplan, and budget narrative. Fiscal-sponsored applicants must provide the required fiscal-sponsor board resolution, sponsorship agreement, and IRS determination letter.
Atlas analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 72/100. This is a current, clearly defined Hawaiʻi community-grant opportunity with a verified deadline, funding ceiling, eligibility rules, and official application process. Its strategic fit is strongest for organizations already working in nearshore marine stewardship, community resource management, environmental monitoring, cultural knowledge, and local governance.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. QC Healthcare Fit Score: 0/100. This opportunity is focused on marine-resource stewardship and community co-management rather than healthcare, telehealth, clinical services, or medical equipment. Atlas should not introduce N9+ or QC Healthcare in ordinary outreach for this opportunity.
Official source: Hawaiʻi Community Foundation 2026 Pāpio Grants Funding Opportunity.