Hawaii Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP)

The Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP) assists to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale gardening, herding and livestock, and apiary operations. The Hawai'i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) competitively distributes the funds through subawards to eligible entities. Subawardees applying as individuals will be awarded $5,000, and subawardees applying as organizations will be awarded $10,000.

Eligible entities are: an individual, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, a non-profit organization engaged in increasing food security (ex: food bank, food pantry, religious organization), a federally funded educational facility, or a local or tribal government that may not levy local taxes under state or federal law. Eligible entities must be a resident of and located in the state of Hawai'i, and be at least 18 years of age. There are two different applications: one strictly for use by individuals, and one strictly for use by organizations. The MGFSP requires a 10% cash match for organizations (no match for individuals).

Fixed-amount subawards, with the amount set by who you are rather than what you propose: "Subawardees applying as individuals will be awarded $5,000, and subawardees applying as organizations will be awarded $10,000."

• Match: none for individuals; organizations must bring 10% cash — "the MGFSP requires a 10% cash match for organizations."

• No cost to apply: "There is no fee to apply for this subaward (grant)."

• Individuals must request exactly the fixed amount. An application is disqualified if "The total amount of funds requested do not equal $5,000.00," and also for exceeding "1 application per household and/or mailing address."

• Money arrives long after you apply. On the FY24 round: applicants "will be notified of a decision on their application by late June 2026," and "If awarded, subawardees can anticipate their funds to be available around November – December 2026."

• Strings attached over a 12-month project: "Over the course of the 12-month project, subawardees are required to document the amount of food produced, beneficiaries impacted, expenditures/receipts, and photos of their progress," reported to DAB on performance reports; a Final Performance Report "is due within thirty (30) days after project contract completion." "SUBMISSIONS OF PHOTOS AND RECEIPTS ARE MANDATORY."

• Leftover funds can be re-spent, but only inside your application: "In the event that you purchase an item at a cheaper price than the amount awarded for the item – you can use the extra funds to re-invest strictly toward other items that you apply for."

• State-agency (HCE) compliance, insurance, and a GE Tax number are required of organizations only, not individuals.

• Repeat awards are allowed but deprioritized: "they can apply but priority will be given to eligible entities, including households, that have not received an award under this program."

The online application prompts applicants to check boxes on how they will use their funding, estimate quantity/weight of food produced, and provide a headcount of beneficiaries. Applicants select one category: gardening, herding and livestock, or apiaries, and write a descriptive plan of their project. Applications for the FY24 round were open from January 19, 2026 to February 19, 2026, and had to be received by 12:00 P.M. Noon on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Program contact: (808) 973-9594.