Kosasa Foundation launches new grant program for arts and culture nonprofits

The nonprofit Kosasa Foundation announced it has allocated $1 million toward a new grant program designed to help arts and culture nonprofits and creatives in the early stages of their careers. The “Creativity Capacity” program was launched in response to a survey conducted by a consultant, which highlighted challenges with funding in the arts after the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“The study allowed us to understand what arts and culture nonprofits need most to thrive in Hawai’i,” said Chris van Bergeijk, the CEO of the Kosasa Foundation, in a written statement to Aloha State Daily. “We used what we learned to fashion an opportunity for nonprofits to innovate ways to transform their organization or create significant new organizational capacity.”

The program, which launched Feb. 25, offers up to $100,000 annually for multiple years to nonprofits and creatives who contribute to the “cultural vibrancy of Hawaiʻi,” according to representatives of the foundation. The deadline for the first set of grants was April 25. There were 49 applications, according to representatives of the program. 

The foundation hopes to do another round of funding in the spring of 2026, according to its representatives. 

The foundation’s survey of arts organizations and individual artists and practitioners was conducted by the consultant Kina Mahi, who found there are 954 Hawaiʻi organizations working on arts, culture and humanities with 2,951 employees and an annual revenue of $296 million, according to the survey. 

“The Kosasa Foundation has always understood and supported the value of a thriving arts and culture community for Hawai‘i,” explained Paul Kosasa, the president of the foundation’s board of directors, who is also president and CEO of ABC Stores, in a written statement. “Our aim is to make sure that opportunities reach more people across the islands who can then participate in that community.”

In 2024, the Kosasa Foundation gave $5.2 million to more than 80 organizations, according to its website. This included grants to a number of statewide initiatives as well as 40 groups on Oʻahu and ones on Kauaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. 

For more information, go to kosasafoundation.org. 

Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.