Does the HMSA Foundation make grants to individuals?
No. The Foundation only makes grants to organizations that are tax-exempt because 1) they are a unit of government or 2) they are a 501(c)(3) organization that is not a private foundation. • Can we apply if we are not yet a 501(c)(3) but our application is pending at the IRS? No. Practically all foundations, like the HMSA Foundation, require that you submit proof of 501(c)(3) status (or that you are a unit of government) before your proposal will even be considered. • Does the project have to benefit people in Hawai`i? Yes. The primary beneficiaries of the grant must be people within the State of Hawai`i. • If I’m interested in applying for a grant, what are the first things I should do? Once you have determined that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements for a grant from the HMSA Foundation, begin outlining the general parameters of your proposal: what are the goals, how much funding do you need, and how long is needed for the project. At that point, contact the Foundation staf
