Grant Writing for Minority Women in Hawaii

Introduction

Grants are a form of financial assistance that do not need to be repaid. They are usually awarded by foundations, corporations, government agencies, or other organizations to support specific projects or programs that align with their mission and goals. Grants can be a valuable source of funding for minority women in Hawaii who want to start or expand their own businesses, pursue higher education, conduct research, or engage in other activities that benefit themselves and their communities.

However, grants are also very competitive and require a lot of preparation and planning. To increase your chances of getting a grant, you need to write a clear, compelling, and convincing proposal that demonstrates your need, your objectives, your qualifications, your budget, and your impact. In this packet, you will find a template to apply for a myriad of grants available to minority women in Hawaii, as well as a detailed list of ideas that have a high probability of being awarded a grant.

Template

The following template is based on the common elements of most grant applications. However, you should always follow the specific instructions and guidelines provided by the grant funder. You should also tailor your proposal to the funder’s mission, vision, values, and priorities.

Cover Letter

The cover letter is a brief introduction to your proposal that summarizes the main points and requests the amount of funding you are seeking. It should also include your contact information and the name and title of the person you are addressing.

Example:

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am writing to request $10,000 from the Women’s Fund of Hawaii to support my project “Empowering Native Hawaiian Women through Entrepreneurship”. This project aims to provide training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for 20 Native Hawaiian women who want to start or grow their own businesses in the fields of arts, culture, tourism, or agriculture.

As a Native Hawaiian woman and a successful entrepreneur myself, I understand the challenges and opportunities that face minority women in Hawaii who want to pursue their dreams and passions. I also believe that entrepreneurship is a powerful way to empower women, create jobs, preserve culture, and contribute to the social and economic development of Hawaii.

The Women’s Fund of Hawaii is an ideal partner for this project because of its unique focus on women and girls and its commitment to supporting innovative and impactful programs that address the needs of the community. With your generous support, I hope to make a positive difference in the lives of 20 Native Hawaiian women and their families.

Enclosed please find my proposal for more details about the project, its objectives, activities, budget, evaluation plan, and expected outcomes. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have or provide additional information upon request. You can reach me at (808) 555-1234 or email@example.com.

Thank you for your consideration of my proposal. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Jane Doe Project Director Empowering Native Hawaiian Women through Entrepreneurship

Executive Summary

The executive summary is a concise overview of your proposal that highlights the main points and captures the attention of the reader. It should include the following information:

• The name and purpose of your organization
• The problem or need that your project addresses
• The goals and objectives of your project
• The methods or activities that you will use to achieve your goals
• The amount of funding that you are requesting
• The expected outcomes and benefits of your project

Example:

Empowering Native Hawaiian Women through Entrepreneurship is a project led by Jane Doe, a Native Hawaiian woman and a successful entrepreneur who owns a cultural tourism company in Hilo. The project aims to provide training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for 20 Native Hawaiian women who want to start or grow their own businesses in the fields of arts, culture, tourism, or agriculture.

The project addresses the problem of economic inequality and social marginalization that affects many minority women in Hawaii who face barriers such as lack of access to capital, education, markets, mentors, and networks. The project also responds to the need for more diverse and sustainable economic activities that respect and promote the rich cultural heritage of Hawaii.

The project has three main objectives: 1) To increase the knowledge and skills of 20 Native Hawaiian women entrepreneurs in business planning, management, marketing, finance, legal issues, and other relevant topics; 2) To connect 20 Native Hawaiian women entrepreneurs with mentors who can provide guidance, feedback, support, and inspiration; 3) To create a network of 20 Native Hawaiian women entrepreneurs who can share resources, experiences, opportunities, and challenges.

The project will use a combination of methods and activities to achieve its objectives: 1) A 10-week online training course that covers the essential aspects of entrepreneurship and business development; 2) A one-on-one mentoring program that matches each participant with a mentor who has experience and expertise in their field of interest; 3) A series of online and in-person networking events that facilitate the exchange of information, ideas, contacts, and referrals among the participants and other stakeholders.

The project is requesting $10,000 from the Women’s Fund of Hawaii to cover the costs of the online training course, the mentoring program, the networking events, and the project administration. The project will leverage additional resources from other partners, such as the Hawaii Small Business Development Center, the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

The project expects to achieve the following outcomes and benefits: 1) 20 Native Hawaiian women entrepreneurs who have improved their business knowledge and skills, increased their confidence and motivation, and expanded their network and opportunities; 2) 20 new or existing businesses that are more viable, profitable, and sustainable; 3) A positive impact on the economic and social well-being of 20 Native Hawaiian women and their families, as well as their communities and the state of Hawaii.

Organization Description

The organization description is a brief introduction to your organization that explains its history, mission, vision, values, goals, programs, achievements, and credentials. It should also demonstrate your organization’s capacity and credibility to carry out the proposed project.

Example:

Jane Doe is a Native Hawaiian woman and a successful entrepreneur who owns a cultural tourism company in Hilo. She founded her company in 2015 with the vision of creating authentic and meaningful experiences for visitors who want to learn about and appreciate the culture, history, and nature of Hawaii. Her company offers guided tours, workshops, performances, and events that showcase the diversity and beauty of Hawaii’s people, places, and traditions. Her company also employs and collaborates with local artists, artisans, farmers, musicians, storytellers, and educators who share their knowledge and skills with the guests.

Jane Doe has a passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to empower other minority women who want to pursue their own dreams and passions. She has over 10 years of experience in business development, management, marketing, finance, and customer service. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and a certificate in cultural tourism from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. She is also a certified tour guide by the Hawaii Professional Tour Guide Association.

Jane Doe has received several awards and recognitions for her work as an entrepreneur and a cultural ambassador. She was named one of the “40 Under 40” by Pacific Business News in 2018. She was also selected as one of the “Women Who Mean Business” by Hawaii Business Magazine in 2019. She was featured in Forbes Magazine as one of the “10 Women Entrepreneurs to Watch in Hawaii” in 2020. She was also invited to speak at TEDxHilo in 2021 about her journey as a Native Hawaiian woman entrepreneur.

Jane Doe has a strong network and reputation in the local community and the tourism industry. She is a member of several professional and civic organizations, such as the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaii Tourism Association, the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, and the Hilo Women’s Club. She also volunteers for various causes and events that support women’s empowerment, education, culture, and environment.

Problem Statement

The problem statement is a clear and concise description of the problem or need that your project addresses. It should explain why the problem or need exists, who is affected by it, how it affects them, what are the causes and consequences of it, what are the gaps or challenges in addressing it, and what are the opportunities or solutions for addressing it.

Example:

Minority women in Hawaii face significant economic inequality and social marginalization compared to their male and non-minority counterparts. According to the American Community Survey (2019), minority women in Hawaii have lower median incomes ($32,000 vs $42,000), higher poverty rates (15% vs 10%), lower educational attainment (28% vs 34% with bachelor’s degree or higher), lower labor force participation (58% vs 66%), higher unemployment rates (6% vs 4%), lower business ownership rates (18% vs 24%), and lower access to capital (8% vs 12% with business loans) than men or non-minority women.

These disparities limit the opportunities and choices for minority women in Hawaii who want to improve their economic situation and achieve their personal and professional goals. They also affect their well-being and self-esteem as well as their families’ quality of life. Moreover, they undermine the potential contribution of minority women to the social and economic development of Hawaii.

One of the ways to address this problem is to promote entrepreneurship among minority women in Hawaii.

Entrepreneurship is a powerful tool to empower women, create jobs, generate income, foster innovation, and contribute to the social and economic development of Hawaii. Entrepreneurship also allows women to pursue their passions and interests, express their creativity and talents, and preserve and promote their cultural heritage. However, entrepreneurship is not easy and requires a lot of knowledge, skills, resources, support, and networks. Many minority women in Hawaii lack access to these essential elements that can help them start or grow their own businesses. They also face barriers such as discrimination, stereotypes, isolation, and lack of confidence that can discourage them from pursuing their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Therefore, there is a need for a project that can provide training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for minority women in Hawaii who want to start or grow their own businesses in the fields of arts, culture, tourism, or agriculture. These fields are relevant and promising for Hawaii’s economy and society, as they reflect the diversity and richness of Hawaii’s people, places, and traditions. They also offer opportunities for innovation and sustainability that can benefit both the entrepreneurs and the environment.

Project Description

The project description is a detailed explanation of your project that outlines its goals, objectives, methods, activities, timeline, budget, evaluation plan, and expected outcomes. It should demonstrate how your project addresses the problem or need that you identified in the previous section. It should also show how your project aligns with the funder’s mission, vision, values, and priorities.

Example:

Empowering Native Hawaiian Women through Entrepreneurship is a 12-month project that aims to provide training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for 20 Native Hawaiian women who want to start or grow their own businesses in the fields of arts, culture, tourism, or agriculture. The project has the following goals and objectives:

• Goal 1: To increase the knowledge and skills of 20 Native Hawaiian women entrepreneurs in business planning, management, marketing, finance, legal issues, and other relevant topics.
  • Objective 1.1: To deliver a 10-week online training course that covers the essential aspects of entrepreneurship and business development.
  • Objective 1.2: To provide each participant with a certificate of completion and a digital badge that recognizes their achievement and showcases their skills.
• Goal 2: To connect 20 Native Hawaiian women entrepreneurs with mentors who can provide guidance, feedback, support, and inspiration.
  • Objective 2.1: To match each participant with a mentor who has experience and expertise in their field of interest.
  • Objective 2.2: To facilitate at least 10 hours of one-on-one mentoring sessions between each participant and their mentor over the course of the project.
• Goal 3: To create a network of 20 Native Hawaiian women entrepreneurs who can share resources, experiences, opportunities, and challenges.
  • Objective 3.1: To organize a series of online and in-person networking events that facilitate the exchange of information, ideas, contacts, and referrals among the participants and other stakeholders.
  • Objective 3.2: To establish an online platform that enables the participants to communicate, collaborate, and support each other beyond the duration of the project.

The project will use a combination of methods and activities to achieve its goals and objectives:

• Online training course: The project will use an online learning platform to deliver a 10-week training course that covers the essential aspects of entrepreneurship and business development. The course will consist of 10 modules that cover topics such as business idea generation, market research, business plan writing, business model canvas, marketing strategy, financial management, legal issues, funding sources, pitching skills, and social responsibility. Each module will include video lectures, readings, quizzes, assignments, and discussion forums. The course will be facilitated by Jane Doe, who will provide feedback and guidance to the participants throughout the course. The course will also feature guest speakers and experts who will share their insights and experiences on various topics related to entrepreneurship and business development.
• Mentoring program: The project will use a mentoring platform to match each participant with a mentor who has experience and expertise in their field of interest. The mentors will be selected from a pool of volunteers who are willing and able to provide guidance, feedback, support, and inspiration to the participants. The mentors will include successful entrepreneurs, business owners, managers, consultants, educators, and professionals who work in the fields of arts, culture, tourism, or agriculture. The mentoring platform will allow the participants and mentors to communicate via text, voice, or video calls; schedule mentoring sessions; set goals and track progress; exchange documents and resources; and rate and review each other’s performance. The project will facilitate at least 10 hours of one-on-one mentoring sessions between each participant and their mentor over the course of the project.
• Networking events: The project will organize a series of online and in-person networking events that facilitate the exchange of information, ideas, contacts, and referrals among the participants and other stakeholders. The online events will include webinars, workshops, panels, and Q&A sessions that feature topics and speakers relevant to the participants’ interests and needs. The in-person events will include meetups, coffee chats, lunches, and happy hours that provide opportunities for the participants to meet and mingle with each other and with other entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, customers, partners, and supporters in their local community. The project will also invite the participants to attend and participate in existing networking events organized by other partners, such as the Hawaii Small Business Development Center, the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
• Online platform: The project will establish an online platform that enables the participants to communicate, collaborate, and support each other beyond the duration of the project. The online platform will include features such as chat rooms, forums, blogs, podcasts, videos, newsletters, calendars, directories, and resource libraries. The online platform will also allow the participants to showcase their businesses, products, services, achievements, and testimonials. The online platform will be moderated by Jane Doe, who will ensure that the content is relevant, appropriate, and respectful.

The project will follow a timeline that includes the following milestones:

• Month 1: Project launch, recruitment, and selection of participants and mentors
• Month 2-3: Online training course (10 weeks)
• Month 4-11: Mentoring program (10 hours per participant)
• Month 4-12: Networking events (online and in-person, at least one per month)
• Month 12: Project evaluation and closure

The project will have a budget of $10,000, which will be allocated as follows:

• Online training course: $3,000 (includes platform fees, course materials, guest speakers, and facilitator fees)
• Mentoring program: $2,000 (includes platform fees, mentor incentives, and facilitator fees)
• Networking events: $3,000 (includes venue rental, catering, transportation, speaker fees, and event management fees)
• Online platform: $1,000 (includes platform fees, content creation, and moderation fees)
• Project administration: $1,000 (includes project management, reporting, evaluation, and contingency fees)

The project will use a mixed-methods approach to evaluate its effectiveness and impact. The evaluation plan will include the following methods and indicators:

• Pre- and post-surveys: The project will administer online surveys to the participants before and after the project to measure their changes in knowledge, skills, confidence, motivation, network, and opportunities related to entrepreneurship and business development. The surveys will also collect feedback on the quality and satisfaction of the project activities and services.
• Interviews and focus groups: The project will conduct semi-structured interviews and focus groups with a sample of participants and mentors to gather qualitative data on their experiences, perspectives, challenges, successes, and recommendations related to the project. The interviews and focus groups will also capture stories and testimonials that illustrate the impact and benefits of the project.
• Business metrics: The project will collect quantitative data on the business performance and outcomes of the participants’ businesses, such as revenue, profit, customers, employees, products, services, awards, recognitions, etc. The data will be collected from various sources such as business records, reports, websites, social media, etc.
• Evaluation report: The project will compile and analyze the data collected from the surveys, interviews, focus groups, and business metrics to produce an evaluation report that summarizes the findings, conclusions, recommendations, and lessons learned from the project. The report will also include case studies that highlight the achievements and impacts of some of the participants’ businesses.

The project expects to achieve the following outcomes and benefits:

• 20 Native Hawaiian women entrepreneurs who have improved their business knowledge and skills increased their confidence and motivation and expanded their network and opportunities related to entrepreneurship and business development.
• 20 new or existing businesses that are more viable profitable and sustainable in the fields of arts culture tourism or agriculture.
• A positive impact on the economic and social well-being of 20 Native Hawaiian women and their families as well as their communities and the state of Hawaii.

List of Ideas

The following is a list of ideas that have a high probability of being awarded a grant for minority women in Hawaii. These ideas are based on the research and analysis of the grants available, the needs and interests of the target population, and the potential impact and benefits of the projects. The list is not exhaustive, but it provides some examples and inspiration for you to develop your own ideas.

• A project that provides training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for Native Hawaiian women who want to start or grow their own businesses in the fields of arts, culture, tourism, or agriculture. This idea is similar to the one presented in the template above, but it can be adapted to different fields, locations, or populations.
• A project that creates a co-working space and a makerspace for minority women entrepreneurs in Hawaii who want to access affordable and flexible workspaces, equipment, tools, materials, and resources to develop their products or services. The project can also offer workshops, events, and programs that foster creativity, innovation, collaboration, and learning among the members and the community.
• A project that develops a mobile app and a website that connects minority women entrepreneurs in Hawaii with customers, investors, partners, mentors, and other stakeholders who are interested in supporting their businesses. The project can also feature stories, profiles, reviews, ratings, and recommendations that showcase the diversity and quality of the businesses and their owners.
• A project that organizes a business plan competition and a pitch event for minority women entrepreneurs in Hawaii who want to test their ideas, get feedback, win prizes, and attract funding for their businesses. The project can also provide coaching, mentoring, and training to help the participants prepare and improve their business plans and pitches.
• A project that establishes a microfinance program that provides small loans, grants, or scholarships to minority women entrepreneurs in Hawaii who want to start or expand their businesses but lack access to traditional sources of capital. The project can also provide financial education, counseling, and support to help the participants manage their finances and repay their loans.

List of Resources

The following is a list of resources that can help you find, apply, and manage grants for minority women in Hawaii. These resources include websites, databases, directories, guides, books, articles, podcasts, videos, and webinars that provide information, advice, tips, examples, and best practices on grant writing and grant management. The list is not comprehensive, but it provides some useful and reliable sources that you can refer to.

• Grants for Minorities in Hawaii | Instrumentl: This is a website that helps you discover and track grants for minorities in Hawaii. You can browse grants by category, eligibility, deadline, amount, and funder. You can also create a profile and get personalized grant recommendations based on your specific programs and needs. https://www.instrumentl.com/browse-grants/hawaii/grants-for-minorities
• Grant Writing Tips | Harvard Catalyst: This is a website that provides strategies and tools to help you write effective grant proposals. You can find tips on prewriting, writing, and rewriting your grant application to maximize your chances of success. You can also access templates, checklists, samples, and resources to guide you through the grant writing process. https://writingcenter.catalyst.harvard.edu/grant-writing-tips
• Grant Writing for Dummies: This is a book that covers the basics of grant writing and grant management. You can learn how to research potential funders, write a winning proposal, budget your funds, report your progress, and sustain your project. You can also find examples of successful grant proposals and common grant writing mistakes to avoid. https://www.amazon.com/Grant-Writing-Dummies-Beverly-Browning/dp/1119280125
• The Ultimate Guide to Nonprofit Grant Research and Writing: This is an article that provides a comprehensive overview of nonprofit grant research and writing. You can learn how to identify grant opportunities, understand grant requirements, craft a compelling narrative, create a realistic budget, submit your proposal, and follow up with the funder. You can also find links to other resources and tools to help you with your grant writing journey. https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/grant-research-and-writing
• The Grant Writing Process: 7 Steps to an Award-Winning Proposal: This is a podcast episode that features an interview with a professional grant writer who shares her insights and tips on the grant writing process. You can learn how to plan your project, research your funder, write your proposal, edit your draft, submit your application, communicate with the funder, and manage your grant. You can also find show notes and transcripts of the episode. https://nonprofitally.com/the-grant-writing-process-7-steps-to-an-award-winning-proposal
• How to Write a Grant Proposal: This is a video that explains how to write a grant proposal in 11 steps. You can learn how to prepare your proposal, write each section of your proposal, format your proposal, proofread your proposal, and submit your proposal. You can also find examples of each section of a grant proposal and a template that you can use for your own proposal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrLF8zI7M0o
• Grant Writing 101: It’s Not Rocket Surgery: This is a webinar that provides an introduction to grant writing for beginners. You can learn how to find grants that match your needs, write clear and concise proposals, avoid common pitfalls, and increase your chances of getting funded. You can also find slides and handouts from the webinar. https://www.techsoupglobal.org/community/events-webinars/grant-writing-101-its-not-rocket-surgery