MEDIA RELEASE

“Charity is critical, especially in rough times like these,” says Hawaii People’s Fund Executive Director, Nancy Aleck, “but our approach is different. We support community groups working to improve our quality of life.”

The Fund is a public foundation that raises money to collectively support grassroots organizations working for progressive social change throughout the islands. Support from Hawaii People’s Fund can help to transform emerging ideas into mainstream values.

More than $45,000 in funding awards has been distributed since July of this year. Grants are made possible through individual donations, donor advised funds, and partial matches from Hawaii Community Foundation.

Most recent grantees include:

* Friends of Lanai (Lanai): The grant supports the voices of those who seek an alternative to an industrial wind plant and who support sustainable energy for Hawaii.

* God’s Country Waimanalo (Oahu): This Donor Advised grant will help fix the roof that was damaged earlier in the year.

* Hawaii Community Stewardship Network (All islands): This project funds advocacy training and an E Alu Pu mini conference for community malama aina groups.

* Hawaii Friends of Justice and Civic Education (Oahu): The Hawaii Women’s Prison Family Law Clinic helps provides legal services and creates a consumer friendly Family Law Manual for women who are incarcerated.

* Mauna Kea Anaina Hou (Hawaii Island): This grant supports outreach efforts and conservation education on the sacred summit of Mauna Kea.

* Mohala Farms (Oahu): By combining organic farming practices and the Hawaiian cultural tradition of ‘oli or chanting, the project brings much needed health awareness to Hawaiian families and support to place-based practices.

Additional strategic funding went to groups presenting alternative views to APEC and to programs that focused on the impacts of such meetings on Pacific Island peoples.

Community-based groups working for social change are encouraged to review updated guidelines and the application form, which will be available on the website in January. The next cycle of proposals are due Friday, March 1, 2012.

— Find out more:
www.ChangeNotCharity.org
www.HawaiiPeoplesFund.org