Biennium Grants

The biennium grants program supports eligible applicant organizations with public funds to implement projects designed to promote, perpetuate, and preserve culture in Hawaiʻi.

• A new online application system called GO Smart.
• Required National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) data questions and activities/locations list for final reporting.
• There will be NO mailing or delivering of any hard copy documents, materials or items. All required and necessary documents will be submitted via GO Smart.
• There will be no revised proposals.
• Awarded grants will receive the requested amounts in priority ranking.

An applicant must be a nonprofit organization, exempt from federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The following documents are due at the time of application:

• A copy of the organization’s tax exempt status letter from the IRS; and
• A copy of the organization’s bylaws and/or policies which must include:
  • A description of the manner in which business is conducted;
  • A prohibition against nepotism; and
  • Procedures for managing potential conflict-of -interest situations.
  • A statement from the organization affirming that the members of it’s governing board have no material conflict of interest and serve without compensation.

Eligibility/Legal PDF packet – all applicants will submit one compiled PDF packet via GO Smart consisting of the organization’s legal documents in the following order:

• IRS Letter of Determination for non-profit status
• Articles of Incorporation (State of Hawaiʻi)
• Bylaws
• Corporate Resolutions/Corporate Policies

• Simplified grant request and budget fields. Minimum $5,000 to maximum $15,000 per request.
• Based on the recent funding patterns, we receive approximately 60 applications and are able to fund an average of 36 grants per year.
• The grant awards are $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000.

• An applicant must have at least one year’s experience with the project for which the request for a Biennium Grant is being made.
• Grant project must take place in the State of Hawaiʻi.
• Only one application per organization can be made to either or both fiscal years.
• There are four (4) grant categories – Arts Education, Community Arts, Heritage & Preservation, Presenting & Performing Arts. These grant categories are aligned with the SFCA Strategic Priorities 2019-2023.
• Application must be entirely completed and submitted via the GO Smart online application system for Biennium Grants by the application deadline.
• Project implementation periods are typically effective from June 1 through July 30 of the following year.
• Work evidence (formerly known as supplemental materials) – we will not accept hard copies or material items. All optional work evidence that supports the project proposal will be submitted via GO Smart.
• Application certification by the authorizing official will be via GO Smart with an esignature. There will be NO mailing or delivering of hard copies to the SFCA office.