OHA grants specialist Karyle Saiki dishes out practical pointers at an OHA grants workshop. – Photo: Liza Simon

Make sure your budget supports your plan. Let OHA know about any changes in your organization. Use reliable data to back up your statements about why your project is necessary.

These are just a few tips that Karyle Saiki offers for prospective applicants hoping to garner funding from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Community Grants Program. Saiki and other OHA staff have been traveling the Islands holding mandatory workshops for anyone wishing to complete the grant-application process. Saiki adopts a candid, no-nonsense tone in her presentations – perhaps because she has often seen worthwhile proposals rejected for reasons other than content.

“I've come across applicants who have put time into writing creative cover letters that aren't necessary at all, while they miss out on meeting an essential deadline. The key is for everyone to follow the same rules and meet the criteria – otherwise reviewers can't forward proposals to the OHA Board of Trustees,” said Saiki.

In fiscal year 2007, OHA approved 53 of the 200 community grant applications for a total of $3 million. The main criterion — besides nonprofit status and a requirement to provide a portion of matching funds, is the ability to meet OHA's goals in bettering the lives of Native Hawaiians. The goals are clearly spelled out in OHA's Strategic Plan posted at www.oha.org. “It's extremely important for people to do some homework and see if their projects fit the needs of the Hawaiian people in one of several clearly defined areas,” said OHA grants specialist Nancy King.

While OHA grant workshops are tailored to OHA's grant-giving mission, the sessions are chock-full of useful lessons for anyone with a good idea that can be brought to life with grant money. The No. 1 rule in writing a compelling proposal, Saiki tells audiences, is this: “Demonstrate you are committed to your project. How else will other people think that it is valuable?”

The deadline for applying for the current round of community grants is June 30. OHA's grant-writing workshops will continue through April. For a workshop schedule, visit www.oha.org.