Playground grants in Hawaii

Yes, mainly through Hawaii foundations that fund capital projects for 501(c)(3) organizations. The Elsie H. Wilcox Foundation's General Capital Grants cover small capital projects or equipment in fields that include education, as long as the whole project costs less than $500,000. The foundation accepts fiscal sponsors, so a school that is not itself a 501(c)(3) can apply through one. Proposals are taken once a year.

On the Big Island, the John M. Ross Foundation funds specific equipment or materials for programs serving teens ages 11 to 18, and it also accepts fiscal sponsors. An outdoor space for a middle or high school teen program could fit, but a play area for young children would not. See our playgrounds for schools.

Yes, if the church is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. The Elsie H. Wilcox Foundation lists religion among the fields its General Capital Grants support, and it funds small capital projects or equipment statewide when the total project cost is under $500,000. It looks for programs that benefit a sizeable number of people, so a playground open to the wider neighborhood fits that rule.

On Kauai, the Antone & Edene Vidinha Charitable Trust names churches as one of its fields and funds small capital projects or equipment benefiting Kauai residents, with proposals due once a year. It does not pay for ongoing maintenance at churches, so present the playground as a new capital project rather than upkeep. See our church playground equipment.

It is harder, because Hawaii's capital grant funders generally require a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) applicant, which most homeowners' associations are not. One workable route is the Elsie H. Wilcox Foundation's General Capital Grants, which accept fiscal sponsors. A neighborhood group can partner with a 501(c)(3) that applies on its behalf, as long as the project costs less than $500,000 and benefits a sizeable number of people.

Neighborhoods with low and moderate income residents can also look at the Bank of Hawaii Foundation's Major Capital Grants, which focus on those communities and take proposals quarterly. Because these funders favor wide public benefit, a playground limited to residents of one association is a weaker fit than one the whole community can use. See our playgrounds for HOAs.

Counties in Hawaii can direct federal Community Development Block Grant money to local projects. Each county receives these funds every year, sets its own application dates and award sizes, and chooses the projects. Building public facilities and improvements is an eligible use, but the project must mainly benefit low and moderate income people, and nonprofits apply through their county rather than to HUD directly.

For rural areas of 20,000 people or fewer, the USDA Community Facilities program accepts applications year round from public bodies, nonprofits and tribes. Its grant covers 15% to 75% of project cost depending on town size and income, the applicant must show it cannot finance the project on its own or with commercial credit, and low-interest loans can cover the rest. See our playgrounds for parks.

Yes. The Kosasa Foundation runs a separate Capital Campaigns round for 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in Hawaii, apart from its General Application. Its General Application funds only one project per organization per year, so a nonprofit raising money for a larger build should decide which round fits before applying.

The Bank of Hawaii Foundation's Major Capital Grants pay for major capital needs that address high-impact community needs, with a focus on low and moderate income communities in Hawaii. Proposals are due quarterly, so there are several chances each year to apply.

Some have conditions beyond a dollar match. The G. N. Wilcox Trust's General Capital Grants require 100% financial participation from the applicant's Board of Directors, meaning every board member must give. The Trust funds small capital projects or equipment under $500,000, takes proposals quarterly, and generally considers one request per organization each year.

For accessible surfacing or equipment, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation's Support for Living with Disabilities program offers infrastructure support to organizations in Hawaii that serve individuals with disabilities. Your organization must serve people with disabilities to qualify.