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HomeMy WebLinkAboutImpact Grant FAQCounty of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development Impact Grants for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 FAQ – R&D IMPACT GRANTS FOR FY2026-2027 1 Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the Department of Research and Development Impact Grant Program? The Department of Research and Development (R&D) Impact Grants program is an annual competitive opportunity intended to support research, programs, or projects that advance measurable positive economic, environmental, and equitable impact for Hawaiʻi Island residents. Funded projects align with R&D’s program areas of Agriculture and Food Systems, Business and Industry Development, Food Security, Film and Creative Industries, and Regenerative Tourism. 2. Is the Impact Grant Program a Capital Improvement Grant program? No. The Impact Grant Project is intended to fund programs. 3. Is the Impact Grant Program an Operating Grant program? No. The Impact Grant Project is intended to fund programs. 4. Who is eligible to apply for funding? The following list of entities may apply provided they serve the residents of and visitors to the County of Hawaiʻi: • Non-profit organizations exempt from federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service, or • Non-profit organizations that are registered with the State of Hawaii. 5. Who is ineligible to apply for funding? Individuals, governmental agencies (including Department of Education and University of Hawaiʻi System), and for-profit businesses may not apply for funding. 6. May I apply through a non-profit fiscal sponsor? Yes, as long as the project or program results in a broad-based community benefit. 7. How much funding is available under this grant program? Each program is allocated $90,000.00 for awards. 8. What is the award range? Awards range from a minimum of $10,000.00 to a maximum of $25,000.00. 9. Is there a matching funds requirement? Yes. There is a 25% matching funds requirement. Matching funds may be in the form of cash, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both. County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development Impact Grants for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 FAQ – R&D IMPACT GRANTS FOR FY2026-2027 2 10. What kinds of expenses are allowed? All expenses should be reasonable and directly related to the proposed project. Common allowable uses of R&D Impact Grant funds include: • Advertising and public relations • Brochures and printed collateral materials. • Electronic media. • Equipment, purchase or rental. • Facility rental. • Salary and wages. • Security. • Shipping. • Consultant services. • Supplies and materials. • Website development. Grant funding restrictions: • County funds will pay for the applicant’s administrative costs of up to a maximum of ten percent of the total grant award. • Personnel costs should ideally not be the primary use of grant funds. To demonstrate financial sustainability 11. What expenses are not allowed? R&D Impact Grant funds cannot be used for: • Commercial film production. • Fundraising expenses. • Business or organizational start-up plans. • Grant proposal preparation expenses. • Alcoholic beverages. • Travel expenses. • Indirect Costs. 12. What is the proposal package format? Full instructions are located in Section 3 of the Request for Proposals (RFP). Project Abstract and Narrative guidelines are described in Section 3.5.3. The application is completed online using the Euna Solutions (formerly AmpliFund) grant portal. The portal has form sections for all sections including: • Project Abstract and Narrative. County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development Impact Grants for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 FAQ – R&D IMPACT GRANTS FOR FY2026-2027 3 • Project Budget. • Required Documents. • Acknowledgement and Term of Use Agreement. 13. Can you describe the required organizational documents that must be submitted? All applicants are required to upload the following documents, as applicable, in the Required Documents section of the online portal: • County of Hawaiʻi Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form 1. All applicants must complete this form, which is posted online at www.hawaiicounty.gov/impact, and will be available to download, sign, and upload within the portal. One or more forms may be uploaded, depending on the number of individuals within the applicant organization reporting potential conflicts of interest. • Current Charter or Articles of Incorporation. • Current Bylaws. • Current Corporate Resolution if required per Bylaws. • Current Board of Directors list that includes names, titles, addresses, occupations, and terms of office for all officers and members of the Board of Directors. • Copy of IRS Verification of tax-exempt status, if applicable. • Current Financial Statements – signed and dated. Acceptable Financial Statements: o Most current balance sheet and year-to-date profit and loss statement, or o Fiscal year-end profit and loss statement, or o CPA -audited or compiled financial statements for the most recent month of the RFP application or last fiscal year ended. Unacceptable Financial Documents: o Handwritten ledgers, and o Copies of bank statements. • A list of the people who will execute the project and manage the funded activities. Include descriptions of their education, work experience and qualifications. Current curriculum vitae may be used to provide descriptions of work experience and qualifications. 14. If an organization received funding from the Department of Research and Development in the past, does it still need to supply organizational documents with a new proposal? Yes, submission of current organizational documents is required. 1 Download the correct form at https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/309464/638895656622730000. County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development Impact Grants for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 FAQ – R&D IMPACT GRANTS FOR FY2026-2027 4 15. What is the deadline for proposals? Proposals must be submitted through the Grant Portal and accepted via the system automated “success” message by 4:30 p.m., Hawaiʻi-Aleutian Standard Time on Monday, August 10, 2026. 16. Is there any way to submit hard copy proposals? No. All proposals must be submitted online via R&D’s online grant portal. The portal link is posted on www.hawaiicounty.gov/impact. 17. May I upload my own project budget to the online portal and simply indicate “see attached” instead of using the online budget form? No. all applicants are required to use the online grant portal’s budget format. 18. The Contract Provisions section of the RFP lists laws and regulations that a contractor must follow. Where can I find these laws? • The Hawaiʻi County Charter and the Hawaiʻi County code can be found on the Webpage of the Office of the County Clerk: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our- county/legislative/office-of-the-county-clerk • Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/ 19. If a project receives an award notification, what are the next steps? • All organizations that receive awards must enter into a contract with the County. The approved project proposal and budget will become part of the contract, or Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), along with the Contract Provisions. • Here is what grantees may expect: a. Each applicant will receive a letter via email from the Director of the Department of Research and Development that notifies the applicant of the final decision. The decision may be: (1) approved at full request; or (2) approved at a lower amount than requested; or (3) declined. b. If the award is for a lower amount than request, the applicant will be asked to submit in writing its decision to accept the award. If accepting the lower offer, the applicant will be asked to modify its original budget and project plan to reflect the changes. c. Proof of Matching Funds: If awarded, an applicant must provide acceptable documentation of matching funds if documentation was not submitted at the time of proposal. A maximum of 30 days is allowed in which to provide proof of matching funds. County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development Impact Grants for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 FAQ – R&D IMPACT GRANTS FOR FY2026-2027 5 d. The R&D Program Specialist assigned to your project will forward a Memorandum of Agreement for required signature. Additional documents that may need to be submitted with the signed MOA include: • Signed Acknowledgement of the County of Hawaiʻi’s Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy Form, • A “V-8” Vendor Form, which is used by the Director of Finance to enroll the grantee organization in the County’s accounting system. e. Research and Development will verify the organization’s compliance on SAM.gov, and also on Hawaiʻi Compliance Express (see IMPORTANT FIRST STEP below) and circulate the signed MOA to the County’s Purchasing, Accounts, Finance, and Corporation Counsel offices for appropriate authorizations, and finally to the Mayor’s Office for execution. f. Research and Development will forward an electronic copy of the fully executed MOA to the grantee with instructions to begin implementing the awarded project and to submit an invoice for initial payment. g. Research and Development will schedule a MANDATORY CONTRACTOR’S MEETING shortly following the award announcement. Release of the initial payment is conditional upon participation in this meeting. IMPORTANT FIRST STEP • If you are thinking of applying for an Impact Grant, please be sure to register at the State of Hawaiʻi’s Hawaiʻi Compliance Express program (HCE). On July 6, 2011, Act 190 relating to Small Business was signed into laws by Governor Neil Abercrombie. Act 190 requires compliance certificates obtained through HCE for State and Federal tax clearance, and Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for any contract and procurement of $2,500.00 or more. State and county agencies are required to utilize the HCE to obtain proof of compliance prior to award and for processing progress and final payments to vendors. • The HCE is an electronic system that allows vendors doing business with state or county agencies to obtain proof that they are compliant with applicable laws. The HCE certificate, “Certificate of Vendor Compliance,” is submitted in place of a tax clearance, labor certificate, and a Certificate of Good Standing required in Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS) §103D-310(c). • To register, go to https://vendors.ehawaii.gov/hce/. Complete the step-by-step process and pay the $12.00 registration fee by credit card. County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development Impact Grants for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 FAQ – R&D IMPACT GRANTS FOR FY2026-2027 6 20. Who can I contact for additional information? Please contact the appropriate R&D Program Specialist: PROGRAM PROGRAM SPECIALIST PHONE / EMAIL Agriculture and Food Systems Glenn Sako Economic Development Specialist (808) 961-8311 Glenn.Sako@hawaiicounty.gov Business and Industry Development Michelle Agbigay Economic Development Specialist (808) 961-8375 Michelle.Agbigay@hawaiicounty.gov Film and Creative Industries Sherri Nakagawa Economic Development Specialist and Hawaiʻi County Film Commissioner (808) 323-4702 Sherri.Nakagawa@hawaiicounty.gov Food Security Sarah Freeman Food Systems Specialist Sarah.Freeman@hawaiicounty.gov Regenerative Tourism Frecia Cevallos Economic Development Specialist Frecia.Cevallos@hawaiicounty.gov Main Office Contact Information Hilo Telephone: (808) 961-8366 Kailua-Kona Telephone: (808) 323-4700 Email: chresdev@hawaiicounty.gov Hawaiʻi County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider.