The County of Kaua’i’s Office of Economic Development (OED) is requesting proposals from qualified not-for-profit organizations incorporated under the laws of the State of Hawaii, non- profit organizations exempt from the federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service.
Donor Name: County of Kaua’i’s Office of Economic Development
State: Hawaii
County: Kauai County (HI)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/31/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
This grant program supports community-based projects and events that enrich Kaua‘i’s cultural landscape, enhance the experiences of both residents and visitors, and align with the Kaua‘i Destination Management Action Plan and other community priorities. Eligible projects include cultural programming, community events and activities, and initiatives that promote responsible visitor management or product enhancement. All project activities must take place entirely on Kaua‘i.
Eligible proposals will pitch a project that will support the creation or maintenance of community events, activities and experiences for resident education and enjoyment; support Native Hawaiian cultural programming and/or will support product enhancement and visitor management programs that relate back to the Kauai Destination Management Action Plan goals or other community plan goals related to management of the visitor industry.
Funding Information
Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $15,000, with a total of $140,000 available.
Grant Period
February 1, 2026 to January 30, 2027.
Eligible Expenses
- Accounting & Audit Costs
- Advertising
- Brochures
- Contracts with itemized expenses
- Collateral materials
- Equipment rental
- Grant Administration fees (limited to 10%)
- Personnel costs (including salaries needed to complete the project activities including project directors, managers, coordinators or project staff)
- Postage
- Posters
- Printing
- Products
- Salary and wages – all other (at prevailing wages for work that is done on or on behalf of the project)
- Security
- Shipping
- Some consultants service
- Supplies and materials
- Some travel
- Website development or enhancement
- Public relations.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for award through this RFP, the proposer shall:
- Be or have a sponsor that is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Hawaii and exempt from the federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service and based on Kaua’i. Non-profit organization governing board members shall have served without compensation and have no material conflict of interest.
- Be a Hawaii based business with a Kaua’i non-profit fiscal sponsor and a project that is based 100% on Kaua’i.
- Non-Profits must have signed, updated by laws or policies that describe the way business is conducted including management, fiscal policies, and procedures(including a clear statement on who is allowed to sign documents on behalf of the organization), and policies on nepotism, equity, and the management of potential conflicts of interest. In addition, such by-laws must clearly state who is authorized to sign grant applications and contract for funding documents.
- Have at least one (1) year of experience with the project or in the program area being offered. The Director may grant an exception to this requirement if the proposer has demonstrated the necessary experience in the program area.
- Have staff or authorized representatives adequately trained to administer and provide the project described.
- Is or can become compliant under the State of Hawaii Hawaii Compliance Express system prior to funding. You do not need to be HCE compliant at the time of application, but it is highly recommended that you start the process now.
For more information, visit OED.
