The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Mental and Behavioral Health Strategy includes three grant programs designed to fund organizations supporting positive changes to the ecosystem of health led by communities across Hawai‘i. Grant awards are made from a compilation of field-of-interest funds at HCF, including funds that relate to Health and Wellness sector programs and projects.

Development of HCF’s Mental and Behavioral Health Strategy

HCF’s Three-Year Mental and Behavioral Health (M&BH) Strategy is aimed at reducing stigma, enhancing access to mental health services, and empowering communities across Hawai‘i. Leveraging HCF’s CHANGE Framework and evidence-based approaches, the strategy builds on initiatives such as Promising Minds to improve mental and behavioral health systems for children and families.

Key Objectives:

• Reduced stigma around mental illness in targeted communities.
• Integration of improved education, screening, intervention, and treatment within health systems.
  
  

Collaboration Focus:

HCF will partner with diverse organizations serving underserved populations, including Native Hawaiians, Micronesians/Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, parents with young children, and LGBTQIA+ individuals, to address community-specific M&BH issues.

Measurable Goals:

HCF’s Three-Year Vision for Mental Health Success in Hawai‘i:

• Reduced stigma, enabling individuals to seek help without fear or shame.
• Integration of mental health into health systems with improved education, screening, and treatment, demonstrated in 1-3 communities.
• Targeted outreach ensures underserved populations receive essential support.
• Development of a robust mental health disaster response program.
• Reformed insurance payments for mental and behavioral health.
• Supportive public health policies that expand M&BH programs and services.

This vision fosters equity, accessibility, and system transformation for holistic health in Hawai‘i.

Approach and Core Strategies:

By reducing stigma, expanding access to services, and prioritizing mental health across communities, we can transform lives. This vision fosters a future where individuals feel supported, understood, and empowered to thrive and contribute to a resilient, vibrant Hawai‘i. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities and build a healthier, more equitable future for the next generation.

• Community empowerment
• Health and human service organization improvements
• Clinical integration
• Disaster preparedness
• Insurance reform
• Coalition building

This approach prioritizes resilience, equity, and system change through strong partnerships and community-driven action.

Component One: Policy and Advocacy Grants Program

January 2025 - March 2027

In April 2025, HCF awarded two-year grants to Mental Health America of Hawai‘i (MHAH) and the Hawai‘i Children’s Action Network (HCAN). Together, they will co-lead the M&BH policy and advocacy initiative. These two organizations will form a consortium network to strengthen and amplify their collective impact.

Component Two: Mental and Behavioral Health Stigma-Reduction Messaging Grants Program

August 2025 – July 2026

In May 2025, HCF released a funding opportunity (FO) for community-based organizations to develop a communications initiative aimed at reducing mental health stigma, particularly among priority and underserved populations. Funded programs will implement targeted, data-informed, and culturally relevant strategies that promote wellness through education and awareness.

In August 2025, HCF awarded $282,500 in seed grants to 17 organizations. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 support efforts to build organizational capacity for creating and sharing messaging that addresses mental and behavioral health stigma within their communities.

Bobby Benson Center - $15,000
Oʻahu
Growing Understanding: Bobby Benson Center’s Stigma Reduction Initiative on Mental and Behavioral Health

Child and Family Service - $15,000
Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu
ʻOhana Resiliency Center – Mental Health Awareness

Family Hui Hawaiʻi - $20,000
Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu
Makua Strong: Conversations That Heal

Hawaiʻi Association for Infant Mental Health - $20,000
Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu
"Every Moment Matters" - A Campaign to Socialize Mental Health Starting in Infancy and Early Childhood

Hawaiʻi Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders FASD Action Group - $15,000
Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Niʻihau, Oʻahu
"FASD is a Kākou Thing"-Public Awareness Campaign

Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center - $20,000
Oʻahu
Reducing Behavioral Health Stigma Among Hawaiʻi's LGBTQIA+ Residents

He Hoʻomaka Hou Ana O Puna - $17,500
Hawaiʻi Island
Hoʻomaka Hou: Healing the Roots — Culturally Rooted Messaging to Destigmatize Mental Health for East Hawaiʻi's Families

Hoʻakā Mana - $15,000
Molokaʻi
Hoʻā ke ahi, kōʻala ke ola

Jue Jue's Safe Space - $15,000
Hawaiʻi Island
Reducing negative stigma against mental health among Myanmar community in Hawaiʻi

Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services - $10,000
Oʻahu
Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Training

Lānaʻi Community Health Center - $20,000
Lānaʻi
Better Together: Ending Stigma and Empowering Voices

Maui Family Support Services - $10,000
Maui
Early Head Start's Mental Health Services

ʻOhana Services Network - $20,000
Oʻahu
Kūpono Voices: Culturally Rooted Youth-Led Mental Health Messaging Campaign

Pacific Birth Collective - $15,000
Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu
The Re-grounding Project: Building Accessibility, Bridges and Resilience for Hawaiʻi Families and Providers

Residential Youth Services and Empowerment - $15,000
Oʻahu
Mental Health Trainings for Advocates Serving Youth Homelessness: Reducing the Stigma Surrounding Mental Illness in Homeless Youth

Saint Louis School - $20,000
Oʻahu
Crusader Strong Mental Health Initiative

Spill the Tea Cafe - $20,000
Hawaiʻi Island, Kahoʻolawe, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Niʻihau, Oʻahu
Rooted and Resilient – A Campaign to Destigmatize Mental Health among At-Risk Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiian Youth

Strategies 360, contracted by HCF, will provide technical assistance to grantees, supporting message development and dissemination across key channels.