GRANTEES
Once an organization is awarded a KPB grant, we offer ongoing funding and mentorship, as long as they meet our grant requirements, that make it possible for grantees to build long-lasting community connections and programs that make a real difference over time.
We can already see the impact of our efforts through the expansion of diverse opportunities available to students and improvements in workforce readiness which help our keiki - and hopefully their keiki - thrive locally.
Koi Pond Bridges is proud to support these organizations that create opportunities for youth on Hawaiʻi Island.
Nalukai Academy Summer Startup Camp is a tuition-free, 10-day intensive boarding program for Hawai’i high school students to explore business and entrepreneurship strategies driven by cultural values and social impact. Nalukai students are called Founders because we believe they aren’t “becoming” entrepreneurs –– they already are ones. The camp covers a multitude of different subject areas with real world applications, such as leadership, iterative development, digital storytelling, design thinking and pitch communications. Nalukai Founders are driven, clever, and innovative. They are never afraid to push the boundary of what is possible.
Founded in 2009, ClimbHI seeks to inspire students to finish high school and proceed to post-secondary education or employment by exposing them to future career paths and the steps necessary to achieve those goals. The organization reaches thousands of students and teachers each year. ClimbHI connects students, educators, businesses and organizations in a collective effort to sustain education and culture for Hawaiʻi students through the ClimbHI Bridge online portal; Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration (LEI) in-person events; and the ClimbHI Service Excellence Certificate program through the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education. ClimbHI also recognizes participating educators and businesses through several statewide awards programs.
NexTech Hawai'i's mission is to inspire and build STEM career readiness in Hawai'i Island's youth. Our emphasis is STEM skills and career learning through a framework of relationships, relevance and rigor. We offer tuition-free, project and place-based STEM learning programs for elementary, middle and high school-aged youth on Hawai'i Island. Our programs are delivered year-round and include several camps, a STEM-focused design competition and in-home, family-oriented STEM activities. Our programs create the space for engagement with local professionals who offer career exploration and mentorship. Older youth are also given leadership-building experiences through their facilitation of our programs.
ʻEwalu Industries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to build economic resilience in Hawaiʻi, starting on the Big Island. To do that, we train and retain Hawaiʻi’s next generation of leaders to work on our most critical challenges. ʻEwalu Industries co-create programs with local organizations, businesses and governments to train and retain Hawaiʻi’s next generation of leaders, and support opportunities to diversify the economy.
The Hawai'i Keiki Museum is a children’s science discovery center that welcomes audiences of all ages and abilities to discover Island Science. It is a non-profit corporation, a grass-roots effort, started by the local community to increase STEM opportunities for island keiki. There is a common sentiment that it’s hard to have a STEM career on the Big Island, which dampens enthusiasm for STEM learning. On this island, science is literally “all around us”. There are many opportunities for island keiki to become leaders in STEM industries - right here. It is critical that we show the keiki that opportunities here on the Big Island not only exist, they are exciting.
APPLY
We are currently receiving applications for our next round of funding. Apply now for Koi Pond Bridges grant funding and mentorship!