Hawai‘i Land Trust Receives $50,000 from Hawai‘i Community Foundation

Hawai‘i Land Trust received $50,000 as part of Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s first CHANGE Grants program, which recently awarded a total of $7 million to 194 nonprofits across the state. HILT received funds under the program’s “Natural Environment” category, with each of the six letters of the CHANGE framework representing an area of focus for the wellbeing of our communities. 

“Our aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the issues of what’s happening in each sector, including issues that might need more support or pinpointing where momentum is taking place and more investment is needed,” HCF said on its website. “The grant funding can be used for general operating and program expenses, giving nonprofits the flexibility to meet their organization’s needs.”

HCF said its staff spent more than 340 hours with over 450 nonprofits across the state to listen and assess where the foundation’s resources can make the most impact. The six areas of grant focus are: community and economy; health and wellness; arts and culture; natural environment; government and civics; and education. Funding includes $2 million from 665 donors statewide and $5 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s gift to HCF last year.

“HILT is honored to be selected for the first CHANGE Grants program, which provides much-needed funding for our ongoing educational and cultural programs, as well as land stewardship and preservation support,” said Laura Kaakua, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawaiʻi Land Trust.

To date, Hawaiʻi Land Trust has protected more than 21,500 acres of land throughout the Islands – 2,100 acres are Hawaiʻi Land Trust owned public preserves open for everyone to enjoy and over 19,000 acres are protected via conservation easements restricting privately owned lands.

HILT protects coastlines, wahi kupuna (Hawaiian cultural landscapes) and lands that grow healthy food for Hawaiʻi’s people.