Support a just, equitable & thriving Hawaiʻi

Aloha and thank you for taking the time to consider a contribution to the Hawaiʻi People's Fund Giving Project!

Giving back to a place I call home.

I have now been living on ʻOahu for over five years and I’ve been incredibly nourished by the profound natural beauty of these islands and by the cultures and communities that have welcomed me in and made me feel at home. It's very important to me to give back to this place I now call home and to contribute to the wellbeing of these beautiful islands and the diverse communities that I live alongside. That’s why I joined the Giving Project!

What is the Giving Project?

The Giving Project is a six-month program of the Hawaiʻi People's Fund where folks who are committed to the a just, equitable and thriving Hawaiʻi come together as volunteers to apply our time, talent, and resources to supporting movements for social change.

Over the past few months we:

• Spent time learning about the history of Hawaiʻi, the issues facing communities here, and the grassroots movements that have already been successful in bringing about lasting positive change.
• Built connections with each other and reflected together on our own social and economic positions and determined how to leverage our unique perspectives to fundshift and move money to these movements.
• Learned about the 32 grassroots organizations that are this year's Hawaiʻi People's Fund’s grantees and the amazing systems-change work that they're doing.
• Committed to fund shifting and fund-raising at least $100,000 (hopefully more!), together for Hawaiʻi People's Fund to distribute equally among this year's grantees!

(that's us! 😊)

Our Giving Project 2024 goal is to collectively raise $100,000 to support grassroots movements.

100% of this goes to our 32 HPF grantees!

⭐️ My fundshifting goal: $3,500 (by May 3rd deadline)

⭐️ My personal gift: $100, in memory of my grandmother Carol Silver Lems-Dworkin who would have turned 100 years old on April 1st (learn more about her below).

Who are the grassroots organization grantees that receive grants from Hawaiʻi People's Fund?

The organizations chosen as recipients of grants from Hawaiʻi People’s Fund are constituent-led, community-wide and have shown that they create long-lasting change. Some have been around for many years while some have just sprouted up. Many of these organizations receive their first ever grant from the Hawaii People’s Fund which allows them to grow their capacity and be eligible for future grants. They focus on six main issue areas : education, economic justice, artivism (arts & media), environmental justice, health and wellness, ʻŌpio/kūpuna (youth and elder issues), language and cultural reclamation, and self determination. Learn more about the 32 grantees here.

Honoring my grandmother his year.

My grandmother Carol Silver Lems-Dworkin was our family matriarch. She would have been 100 years old on April 1st. She was an unconventional renaissance woman who stood up for justice and human rights and demonstrated what it looked like to truly care about the wellbeing of other people and of the planet. She was an internationalist, a peace activist, a feminist and an environmentalist (also an incredibly talented pianist, author, creative and stunning beauty!) While she passed in July of 2019 only six months after I moved to Hawaii, I know she would be proud of how I have immersed myself in local culture and communities and committed myself to contributing to the wellbeing of my new home. If you are able, I would deeply appreciate your tax-deductible donation of $100 in honor of my beloved grandmother, but any amount is welcome and I am grateful for your support.

Mahalo nui for your time and consideration and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Warmly, Karima

*Top banner photo by Hilary Hacker