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
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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.
Total Giving
We are committed to giving at least half of our annual church revenue each year.
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2023: ~87%
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2024: ~85%
Our Grantees
The Giving Circle Church is proud to have supported the following organizations:
2023
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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
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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
2024
Alliance for Drama Education is a an arts education nonprofit with a mission to help young Hawai'i rehearse for life by mastering performing skills needed to win jobs, justice, and joy; strengthen education programs through drama and performing arts; promote and support instruction in drama education that meets the needs of students of varying levels, abilities, and interests; foster in students an appreciation of good theatre and competency in theatre disciplines, and encourage professional growth among educators in the classroom, in production, and in the wider community.
The Giving Circle Church is delighted to support the Alliance for Drama Education’s Gett!ngDramat!c program to bring dramatic arts education to Hawai'i public school classrooms with professional Teaching Artists (artist-educators).
Learn more about their programs and how you can support their work at www.rehearseforlife.com
The Maui Tenants and Workers Association is a project of the Hawai'i Worker's Center and is membership based organization developing policy proposals for legislative action, conducting trainings on worker and tenant rights, and staffing a hotline for renters.
The Giving Circle Church is proud to support the Maui Tenants and Workers Association's outreach and educational efforts to Maui’s primarily low income and immigrant/migrant population and support the continuation of the MTWA hotline which connects tenants and workers experiencing eviction, rental increases, and other housing related issues with resources and referrals.
Learn more about their programs and how you can support their work at https://www.hawaiiworkerscenter.org/maui-tenants-and-workers-association
Molokai Child Abuse Prevention Pathways mission is to keep children safe and promote 'ohana wellbeing by preventing sexual violence and building healthy relationships on Molokai.
The Giving Circle Church is pleased to support Molokai Child Abuse Prevention Pathways' annual Child Abuse and Neglect and Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign, which aims to unite children, families, educators, government entities, and the community in their mission to keep Molokai’s children and youth safe from harm and to strengthen family support.
Learn more about their programs and how you can support their work at https://www.molokaicapp.org
Samaritan Counseling Center Hawaii provides professional and accessible mental health counseling sensitive to the spiritual traditions of individuals, couples, and families in Hawai'i, regardless of their ability to pay. They also engage in community outreach and sponsor mental health education workshops to increase awareness about mental health resources and help reduce the stigma of mental illness.
The Giving Circle Church is happy to support Samaritan Counseling Center Hawaii's Client Assistance Fund, which subsidizes mental health counseling for people who are uninsured, underinsured, elderly, and low-income; Pastoral Care Assistance Fund, which provides pastoral counseling subsidies; and their men's support group pilot program.
Learn more about their programs and how you can support their work at https://www.samaritancounselingcenterhawaii.org