Community Enrichment Program
Forecasted
Community Enrichment Program supports Hawaiʻi’s community-based organizations with festivals, events, and programs that benefit residents, enrich visitor experiences, and advance regenerative tourism.
Funder: Hawaii Tourism Authority
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Application deadline, early December)
Funding Amounts: $25,000 or $50,000 for 2027 projects; 1:1 matching funds required
Summary: Supports community-based festivals, events, and programs in Hawaiʻi that benefit residents and enrich visitor experiences.
Key Information: At least 15% of in-person attendees must be visitors from outside Hawaiʻi.
Description
The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s Community Enrichment Program supports community-based tourism projects that enrich Hawaiʻi’s visitor offerings while providing meaningful value to local communities. It funds festivals, events, projects, and year-round programs developed by communities, for communities, around experiences residents are willing to share with visitors.
The program advances regenerative tourism through community wellbeing, cultural preservation, and positive resident–visitor interaction. Eligible tourism areas include agriculture, culture, culinary activities, education, health and wellness, nature, and voluntourism. HTA encourages innovative, authentic visitor experiences rooted in Hawaiʻi’s diverse heritage. Kilohana Collective, a division of the Hawaiian Council, administers the program through ʻUmeke Powered by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
