Empathy in Action: Grants Can Aid in Maui’s Wildfire Recovery Efforts

Catastrophic wildfires have swept through Maui, leaving a devastating impact on its residents. In the wake of this tragedy, a collective spirit of empathy and resilience has emerged, embodied by both local and global communities. Numerous organizations and foundations have risen to the occasion, offering a helping hand through grants and resources to aid in Maui’s recovery. GrantWatch.com has also made it a priority to locate and list grants specific to the crisis in Maui. GrantWatch has listed these grants below and will be updating the list as more grant opportunities become available.

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Grants for Relief in Maui

1. Opportunities exist for Hawaii individuals to offer or find housing following the Maui wildfires. 
2. There are also grants of $10,000 to Hawaii nonprofits for urgent disaster relief activities and projects in eligible locations. Funding offers critical assistance, immediate support, and quick recovery efforts in the wake of the catastrophic and destructive wildfires in Maui County.
3. In addition, there are grants open to Hawaii nonprofits for disaster relief efforts in eligible locations. Grants support needs, including shelter, food, financial assistance, and other services as identified by organizations doing critical work on Maui.
4. In addition, grants are available to Hawaii nonprofit veterinary clinics, municipal and nonprofit pet shelters, and disaster response organizations. The funding is to provide relief and rescue services for animals in the wake of the fires in Maui.
5. Grants are open to Hawaii nonprofit and for-profit organizations for activities to serve the community in Maui County.
6. Grants of up to $5,000 are also available to Hawaii nonprofit organizations to benefit communities and promote social justice. Current or past grantees responding to the Maui fires should contact program staff prior to applying. 
7. Lastly, there are grants of up to $20,000 open to agricultural producers for disaster relief efforts. Funding is to assist organic farm operations that are struggling to recover from disasters, such as floods, wildfires, unexpected life events, and other difficulties that can be challenging to a business. 

Additional Disaster Relief Grants

1. Grants of up to $2,500 are available to nonprofit organizations for urgent disaster relief. 
2. Contracts are also available for services to tribal organizations and state agencies to support elderly populations impacted by natural disasters.
3. There are grants for qualifying state and local associations for disaster relief. Funding is to address housing-related concerns in communities following the declaration of a major disaster.
4. Financial assistance is available to pharmacy owners to repair pharmacies following a disaster.
5. Additionally, there are grants to nonprofit organizations to maintain and repair internet connectivity during and following natural disasters. 

Spread the Word — Funders Can Join the List Above By Posting Their Grants on GrantWatch Today!

For philanthropists and foundations looking to contribute to Maui’s recovery by offering grants, Hawaii.GrantWatch.com offers a free, simple, and impactful way to get the word out to people in need. By posting your grant on the platform, you open a direct channel of communication to the individuals and organizations that urgently need your support. This transparent approach ensures that your generosity reaches those who need it most, catalyzing a quicker and more effective recovery process.

To add your grant or funding opportunity, visit GrantWatch’s Add a Grant Page and fill out the form. Your actions today will shape a brighter tomorrow for Maui and its resilient community.

What Is the Maui Wildfire Crisis?

The Maui Wildfires initially started as a three-acre brush fire near Lahaina, Maui. Officials received reports of the fire a little after 6:30 a.m. Close to two hours later, the fire was declared 100% contained. However, at around 3:30 p.m., the fire started up again and rapidly expanded with the help of Hurricane Dora’s 60 mph winds. Due to the hurricane, the power was out in many places, meaning people were not able to not receive text alerts about the fire.

This caught many residents off guard, leaving them little to no time to get away from the spreading fire. The investigation into the wildfires is still ongoing, and officials have not reached a decision on the official cause.

Derek Miller, one of the survivors, spoke of his experience. “I lost everything, but I kept my life, and I was able to help six people keep their lives.” Miller continued, “Now there are about 30,000 people who need a place to live…because of the explosions around me and dark smoke, the only thing I was able to get was a pair of shorts and a tee shirt.”

Miller is just one of the thousands who have been directly impacted by this tragedy. So far, the death toll of people who have died from the fires has risen to 106. However, the search for many people still out there continues.

A federal disaster declaration has been approved for Maui, which makes federal funding available to aid the recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA for short, encourages Maui County residents to register for federal assistance by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA App, calling 1-800-621-3362, or in-person with FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance staff.

Other Ways to Make a Difference

People all over the world have responded with support in the way of food, clothing, monetary donations, and more. In fact, the local Maui community itself has banded together like never before to face this crisis with energy and perseverance. People in Maui are even forming ‘human assembly lines’ to transport by hand the food, water, and other supplies brought from boats to the temporary shelters on the island.

It is vital that we all continue to do what we can to support the people in Maui. If you are an individual, business, or organization looking to help, there are many ways to do so. The most important step is to know who to contact. Below, are some of the official relief agencies working to provide relief to Maui. You can reach out to one or more of these agencies to see how you can help.

Disaster Relief Agencies

• Hawai‘i Community Foundation:
• Maui United Way Fire and Disaster Relief:
• Maui Food Bank
• The American Red Cross In Hawaii
• Chabad of Maui

Rabbi Mendy Krasnjansky from the Chabad House spoke about the crisis and the importance of making sure the proper resources are available. The Chabad of Maui was actually under evacuation orders itself but ended up being spared from the fires. Now, the organization is giving back by providing shelter and delivering much-need supplies to evacuees.

“We all are praying for some peace and serenity to come to Maui,” he said. “We hope you’re able to use one of the possible grants (listed above) to provide some badly needed relief to the people in Maui.”