HONOLULU — Ulupono Initiative will assist state departments and agencies applying for federal grants related to renewable energy, local food, clean transportation and freshwater for free.

This one-year offering is part of Gov. Green’s Investing in Hawaii’s Future initiative, which aims to maximize federal funding for the state, according to a news release.  

Ulupono Initiative’s technical assistance will help Hawaii tap into the increase in available federal funding for states through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. 

“I commend the outstanding work of our dedicated state personnel who pursue federal fund opportunities. Given the magnitude of available federal funds, we need to increase our capacity as a state to secure these resources,” Green said in a statement.

EBay founder and Hawaii resident Pierre Omidyar, along with his wife Pamela, started Ulupono Initiative in 2009. The Hawaii-based, for-profit investment firm uses impact investing, nonprofit grant making and advocacy to support its key interest areas. 

“We stand ready to support the state in accessing and leveraging these once-in-a-generation funds, ensuring critical community projects are realized swiftly and effectively,” said Murray Clay, president of Ulupono Initiative in a statement. “By seeking and attracting more federal dollars, the state of Hawaii will be able to fund projects that will benefit our residents and businesses.”

The organization will help provide services that include identifying high-impact funding opportunities, advisory support, grant proposal writing, and section-by-section compliance reviews of applications.