LEGISLATURE DISTRIBUTES $50 MILLION IN ACT 310 FUNDS TO SUPPORT HAWAI‘I NONPROFITS
- Hawai'i House Democrats
- 2h
- 2 min read
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi State Legislature today announced funding decisions for the Act 310, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi (SLH) 2025 Nonprofit Grants Program, awarding $50 million to support nonprofits impacted by recent federal funding delays and reductions. Act 310 appropriates funds to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Office of Community Services (OCS) to distribute grants for fiscal year 2025–2026.
From October 13 – 24, 2025, the program received 213 applications from nonprofits statewide in areas such as healthcare, human services, education, homelessness, and food security. The Evaluation Committee established under Act 310 (SB 933) reviewed all submissions and announced today that 95 organizations have been awarded funding.
"The Legislature has made significant investments in food security, healthcare, and community services, areas hit hardest by federal funding reductions. These essential programs directly impact the quality of life for our residents, deserve continued support, and reflect the State's commitment to protecting Hawai‘i’s families," said Representative Daniel Holt, member of the Act 310 Evaluation Committee.
"The strong response from organizations statewide highlighted the urgent need to strengthen our communities as well as the substantial work our nonprofit partners are delivering to provide critical services that Hawaiʻi's families and residents depend on every day," said Representative Jenna Takenouchi, member of the Act 310 Evaluation Committee.
"These initial awards reflect our continued commitment to Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector. I’m grateful for the tireless work each organization does to support our ‘ohana, especially during challenging times, and I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of this first round of funding," said Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha, member of the Act 310 Evaluation Committee.
"Act 310 was designed to ensure that nonprofit organizations doing essential work in our communities have the resources they need to expand their impact. These grants demonstrate our commitment to supporting partners who deliver life-changing services across our islands. We are proud to invest in organizations that strengthen Hawai‘i’s future," said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz.
Aloha United Way has partnered with OCS to provide administrative support throughout the grant process. A total of $49.5 million will go directly to nonprofits, with $500,000 allocated to Aloha United Way for program administration.
"We extend our sincere thanks to the Evaluation and Selection Committee for their diligence in reviewing the applicants and identifying the awardees. Aloha United Way looks forward to working with the Office of Community Services to deploy the Act 310 funds quickly and efficiently so that vital community services may continue," said Michelle Bartell, President & CEO, Aloha United Way.
According to the Act 310 Evaluation Committee, the next step in the process is for OCS to issue award letters to selected applicants. Once received, each organization must begin completing the required steps outlined by OCS. For more information, visit https://www.auw.org/Act-310/.
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Cathy S . Lee
Director of Communications
Hawaiʻi House of Representatives
Kelsy Padilla
Communications Specialist
Hawaiʻi Senate