Our Community Grants
The Giving Circle Church is a Just Peace and Open and Affirming congregation of the Hawai’i Conference of the United Church of Christ. We are a Christian community of faith who values economic justice, diversity, and home-grown leadership. We practice local community microgrant giving ($5K-10K) as our response to the gospel.
Criteria for Grantees
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A 501(c)3 or have a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor
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Organizational budget of <$1M
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Located in the Hawaiian Islands serves the Hawaiʻi community
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A strong, home-grown leadership
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Mission and values align with those of The Giving Circle Church
Application Process
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Brief online application: Open to organizations during the application cycle
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Site visit and interview: Up to 4 applicants will be selected for a visit and interview by members of the The Giving Circle Church
Note: Due to COVID, the site visit may be replaced by a virtual/phone interview. -
Final selection: The Giving Circle Church will vote to select the final grantee(s)
Grantmaking Schedule
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Application Due: July 15, 2024
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Site Visits: July - August
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Grantee Selection: Mid September
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Grant Development: Year-round
We may ask our grantees to briefly report on the impact of our grant.
Our Grantees
The Giving Circle Church is proud to have supported the following organizations:
2023
The Hawaiʻi Workers Center is a resource of information, education, training and organizing. They provide workshops on workers’ rights, safety and health, protection from wage theft, labor trafficking, abuse and harassment, and other workplace hazards and issues. They also provide referrals to various health, housing, immigration-related, and legal resources.
Our community microgrant helped the Hawaiʻi Workers Center increase their capacity to organize the workers of Hawaiʻi, particularly within the Micronesian & Marshallese community and on the island of Maui by supporting their Micronesian and Maui organizers.
Learn more about their programs and how you can support their work at hawaiiworkerscenter.org
Hoa ‘Āina O Mākaha (Land of Mākaha Shared in Friendship) focuses on community self-reliance, supporting family, and peace-making on the Wai‘anae Coast. Their 5-acre community garden and learning center provides ‘āina-based education to Mākaha Elementary School students and their families, as well as families living on the Wai‘anae Coast.
Our community microgrant supported the Hoa ‘Āina O Mākaha Na Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Program nutrition curriculum, which teaches Mākaha Elementary students how to cook healthy dishes using produces grown and harvested from the farm.
Learn more about their programs and how you can support their work at hoaainaomakaha.org