The Garden Club of Honolulu’s mission is “to conserve, protect and preserve our natural environment through learning, teaching, and action”.
Since 1930, The Garden Club of Honolulu has invested knowledge, energy and funds to improving our community through partnerships with like-minded organizations. Please scroll down for more information on our Project grants and Educational Grants or email us for more information.
Last year, our grant helped fund restoration of Kuilei Cliffs, which surround the iconic Diamond Head Lighthouse. Our non-profit partner, Kuilei Cliffs, transformed an unsightly mess of invasive weeds into a serene gathering place graced by native plantings. A viewing platform and more green space are nearing completion.
At the request of the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kuilei Cliffs expanded their restoration effort to the slopes of Diamond Head on the mauka side of the road. Moreover, the restored green space may hold potential as an urban seabird habitat.
EDUCATION GRANTS
TGCH awards grants to Hawaii-based organizations for the purpose of promoting education to the public in subjects related to our mission. The grants generally range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Recent Recipients:
- Windward Community College: for student scholarships, in ecology, in bio-resource development, and management of plant biotechnology
- Lanikai-Kailua Outdoor Circle: to support an instructor of ethnobotany education for inmates in the Women’s Community Correctional Center as part of the “Learn to Grow Program”
- Lyon Arboretum: to support visits to the gardens for children in Title 1 Public Schools; interpretive signage and internship positions
- Ikebana International Honolulu Chapter #56: for materials for four Ikebana classes for school children at Mo’ilili Community Center
- Waikiki Aquarium: in support the distribution of native plants and information to local families at the annual Mauka to Maikai celebration
- Manoa Heritage Center: to underwrite the Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner at the weekly educational forum- Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike
- UH College of Tropical Agriculture: in support of internships
PROJECT GRANTS
Civic projects sponsored by TGCH have included gardens, educational signage, brochures, and multimedia with an emphasis on projects that are sustainable and positively impact our community. Grants generally range from $2,000 to $10,000. We do accept proposals for larger amounts and multi-year funding.
Recent Recipients:
- Million Tree Project: to support planting native trees to mitigate climate change
- Boys & Girls Windward Clubhouse: for development of the Malama Garden, consisting of 18 raised beds, compost bins, a worm bin, and an aquaponic system.
- Zero Waste Food Recovery in Schools: supporting the students to turn recovered food waste into healthy, organic compost
- Friends of Honolulu Botanical Gardens: revitalization of and interpretive signage for the Prehistoric Glen in Foster Botanical Gardens
- Palama Settlement: installation of an aquaponic program to educate the youth about symbiotic environments, sustainable agricultural methods, and homegrown food
- Manoa Heritage Center: a rain garden on grounds of the Visitor Education Center
- The Nature Conservancy: Kaneohe Bay Reef Restoration Project, working to restore the reef ecosystem by removing invasive algae and seeding the reef with natives sea urchins
GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA GRANTS
The Garden Club of America (GCA) also awards grants for our local community that align with its mission statement.
GCA FOUNDERS FUND: The GCA Founders Fund is an annual award to a club for an exceptional community project.
- Friends of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens for the construction of the Prehistoric Glen
- Women’s Community Correctional Center for environmental education for the inmates.
GCA RESTORATION GRANT:
- Tropical National Botanical Garden for the restoration of Limahuli Garden and Preserve on Kauai after the destructive 2018 flooding.
GCA PARTNER FOR PLANTS: is a joint program of the GCA’s American Conservation and Horticulture committees to monitor and conserve rare plants, restore native habitats and remove invasive weeds on federal, state, and local public lands.
- Partner for Plants (P4P) received funding for the local Million Tree Project
GCA SCHOLARSHIPS:
The Garden Club of America offers 29 merit-based scholarships and fellowships in 12 areas to conservation, ecology, horticulture, and pollinator research. In 2020, $306,000 was awarded to 64 scholars. Click here to learn more about the GCA Scholarships.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
We welcome grant applications that promote education and projects in conservation, gardening, and civic enhancement or beautification.
Please download and complete the application below. Funding amount typically range from $2,000 to $10,000.
TIMELINE
- February 1: Proposals are due
- February: Grant Committee review
- March: Selected projects presented to the General Membership
- Early-April: General Membership vote on selected projects
- Mid-April: Award notification
- May: Funds dispersed
For more information, please contact:
TGCH Grant Committee
Email: gch@gchonolulu.org:
Address:
The Garden Club of Honolulu
P. O. Box 11840
Honolulu, Hawaii 96828