Maui County reopens applications for newly expanded Green Grants Program

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is reopening applications for its fiscal year 2025 Green Grants Program to support sustainability projects in Maui County.

This expansion follows the transfer of approximately $1.7 million in competitive grant funding to DEM’s Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division from the County Office of Economic Development and Office of Innovation. An additional $3.3 million in proviso grants have already been allocated to organizations to manage invasive species, protect wetlands and fund the control of predators at seabird colonies, and support coastal water quality monitoring along South Maui’s coast and protect the Kīhei reef tract.

“We are seeking proposals addressing critical environmental challenges while meeting community needs and priorities, and promoting sustainability across Maui Nui,” said Shayne Agawa, director of the Department of Environmental Management.

Applications are being accepted starting July 15, 2024, for the following grant opportunities:

• Environmental Protection Grant: Supports initiatives in invasive species management, environmental restoration, conservation and sustainability. A total of $490,000 is available for FY25, with a specific allocation of up to $10,000 for Waikapū community beautification projects.
• Wetlands Restoration Grant: Funds organizations dedicated to wetland restoration in Maui County, offering $800,000 in FY25 to advance critical restoration efforts.
• Renewable Energy Grant: Supports initiatives promoting renewable energy and enhancing energy efficiency throughout Maui County. FY25 provides $100,000 to support projects in this area.
• Green Building and Resilient Housing Grant: Encourages sustainable building practices and resilient housing design and construction. FY25 funding is $100,000, with up to $56,000 designated for projects participating in the Living Building Challenge.
• Equipment Purchase Grant: Assists organizations in acquiring essential equipment necessary for sustainability and environmental initiatives across all funding streams and limits mentioned above.

Interested individuals, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations are invited to submit proposals electronically no later than July 29, 2024, at mauigreengrants.grantplatform.com.Those who submitted applications prior to the expansion are encouraged to re-apply. Proposals will undergo evaluation by the Green Grants Review Committee, considering alignment with program focus areas, feasibility, innovation, and potential impact. Applicants will be notified by email of the results by August 26, 2024.

To learn more about the application process, visit www.https://mauicounty.gov/EPS-Grants or join the Zoom information session at 1:30 p.m. July 17 at https://bit.ly/45Yhfsb.

For questions about the Green Grants Program, email Green.Grants@mauicounty.gov or call (808) 270–8217.