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Impact Areas

The Wayfinder Fund is an initiative under Native Hawaiian Philanthropy (NHP) designed to raise funds that provide multi-year grants to Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) for their general operations and specific projects.
 

The NHP team actively collaborates with Philanthropy-Infrastructure Organizations (PIOs), Philanthropy-Serving Organizations, foundations, and funders to secure financial investments for our community partners. Initially, the Wayfinder Fund will focus on offering smaller grants, with a strategic vision to eventually distribute larger, five-year grants as the capacity of both NHP and the Wayfinder Fund expands.

Mission Statement: The Wayfinder Fund is dedicated to providing multi-year grants to NHP partners in key areas that are vital for the empowerment and sustainability of the Native Hawaiian community. These areas include:

Socio-Economic Development

Empowering Native Hawaiian communities through equitable opportunities, this area focuses on building sustainable livelihoods, supporting local entrepreneurship, and strengthening economic self-reliance grounded in kuleana (responsibility) and aloha ‘āina.

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Hawaiian Culture & Arts

A celebration of creativity and identity, this area uplifts cultural practitioners, traditional artisans, and contemporary artists whose work keeps mo‘omeheu Hawai‘i (Hawaiian culture) alive, evolving, and accessible to all generations.

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Hawaiian Language & Education

‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i stands at the heart of identity and knowledge. This focus area advances language revitalization, immersion programs, and educational initiatives that inspire learning through Hawaiian perspectives and values.

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Traditional Environmental Stewardship

Rooted in the ancestral practices of mālama ‘āina and mālama kai, this area unites cultural wisdom and modern sustainability to protect Hawai‘i’s natural resources and restore balance between people and the environment.

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Farming & Food Security

Grounded in the wisdom of the land, this area supports farmers, traditional agricultural systems, and local food networks to restore food sovereignty and ensure access to healthy, culturally connected nourishment for all.

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Native Hawaiian Rights

Advocating for justice, representation, and sovereignty, this area strengthens Native Hawaiian voices in policy, governance, and community leadership—ensuring that rights, lands, and cultural integrity are preserved for future generations.

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Return of Ancestral Land

At the core of healing and restoration, this area champions the return of ‘āina to Native Hawaiian stewardship—reconnecting people to place, protecting sacred spaces, and renewing cultural and spiritual foundations.

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Housing & Hawaiian Homestead

Focusing on community stability and belonging, this area expands pathways to homeownership, revitalizes Hawaiian Homesteads, and strengthens generational ties to ancestral lands through equitable housing opportunities.

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Through these focused efforts, the Wayfinder Fund aims to uplift and transform Native Hawaiians families and communities, fostering a resilient and culturally rich community for future generations.

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