The Chan Zuckerberg Kauai Community Fund has awarded $1 million in unrestricted grants to 25 nonprofit organizations across Kauai, reinforcing nearly a decade of philanthropic contributions to the island’s communities. This latest funding initiative highlights the fund’s ongoing commitment to addressing key local needs and supporting grassroots organizations.
Established by Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, and Priscilla Chan, co-CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the fund is administered through the Hawaii Community Foundation. Since its inception in 2015, it has provided support to over 75 organizations, focusing on areas such as education, health, affordable housing, and cultural preservation.
Community-Driven Focus for 2025 Grants
The 2025 grants are particularly aimed at strengthening local nonprofits involved in education and youth programs, health and well-being initiatives, workforce development, food security, affordable housing, and cultural heritage. According to Marissa Sandblom, a representative of the Chan Zuckerberg Kauai Community Fund at HCF, the fund’s priorities are shaped by direct conversations with community members, leaders, and service providers.
“The Fund’s priority areas are informed by our discussions with island residents, allowing us to understand their challenges and opportunities,” Sandblom explained. She emphasized that these annual dialogues are critical in identifying common themes that inform the fund’s focus.
This year, the grants provide general operational support rather than funding tied to specific projects. Sandblom noted that this approach allows nonprofits to apply the funds flexibly, enhancing their ability to fulfill their missions. “The unrestricted nature of these awards helps organizations leverage the grants for greater impact,” she added.
Supporting Local Needs and Initiatives
Among the recipients of the 2025 awards are organizations addressing urgent local issues, such as the Kauai Habitat for Humanity, Hoola Lahui Hawaii, Malama Kauai, and the Kauai Independent Food Bank. Milani Pimental, executive director of Kauai Habitat for Humanity, highlighted the importance of unrestricted support for sustainability. “This funding provides much-needed operational support that is typically very difficult to raise via philanthropy,” Pimental stated.
Beyond the annual $1 million in operational grants, the Chan Zuckerberg Kauai Community Fund has engaged in several significant community initiatives in recent years. Noteworthy projects include a $4 million grant to purchase and restore the Alakoko Fishpond in 2021 and support for the “Rise to Work” program, which created temporary job opportunities for residents affected by the pandemic.
Sandblom reiterated that all organizations supported by the fund are making substantial contributions to their communities. “We want to honor the impactful work of these organizations that uplift communities throughout Kauai,” she said.
To ensure that the grants complement existing efforts, HCF works closely with donors, nonprofits, and public-sector partners. “Our team is continually engaging with stakeholders to understand their missions and ongoing needs,” Sandblom explained.
While the Chan Zuckerberg Fund defines its priorities based on community conversations, HCF’s perspective often mirrors similar concerns, encompassing issues such as housing, mental health, and education. “The challenges raised in our discussions are not unique to Kauai; they reflect broader challenges faced by communities across Hawaii,” Sandblom noted.
The fund’s focus areas align with HCF’s statewide CHANGE Framework, which emphasizes community-centered economy, health, arts and culture, environmental sustainability, governance, and education.
As organizations submit their grant applications through HCF’s online platform each year, the unrestricted nature of the funding is designed to bolster resilience in the face of economic pressures affecting rural Hawaii. With Kauai navigating challenges related to housing shortages, rising living costs, and the preservation of its cultural heritage, this latest round of grants aims to strengthen the island’s community infrastructure for the long term.