2015-2016 Request for Proposals (RFP)
Hawaii STEM Learning Partnership
BACKGROUND
Innovation and exploration have been characteristics of Hawaii throughout history. The first Polynesians who populated these
islands were at the forefront of science and technology for their times, designing and sailing canoes and navigating by the
stars in search of new land and new opportunities. Our recent and future endeavors promoting a fertile environment for
science and technology represent continuations of this long tradition.
Over the past 10 years, growth in STEM (science technology, engineering and math) jobs was 3x greater than that of nonSTEM jobs in the United States. Workers who hold STEM degrees enjoy higher earning regardless of occupation. By 2017,
the STEM-related jobs across all industries in Hawaii are estimated to increase to 63,000 which means the state needs
approximately 16,500 more workers with STEM skills annually. However, Hawaii is not producing enough graduates in STEM
fields locally to fill projected jobs in Hawaii. The state is ranked 47th for the number of science and engineering degrees
awarded per 100,000 inhabitants. Even those who do not pursue work in STEM fields will need some literacy in these areas
in order to navigate issues such as policy, energy, climate, health and technology. STEM knowledge extends beyond a
career; it’s knowledge for life.
PURPOSE
The Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) and its partners, including the Maunakea Observatories, are pleased to announce
the STEM Learning Partnership. This partnership grew from and continues to include cornerstone funding from the Thirty
Meter Telescope (TMT) through THINK Fund at HCF, which in its first year catalyzed the involvement of additional funding
partners. This funding opportunity provides support to boost learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) for Hawaii Island students and prepare them to become the workforce for the science and technology economy of the
21st Century Hawaii.
The GOALS of the STEM Learning Partnership are to:
1. Increase the number of effective STEM teachers on Hawaii Island
2. Increase the number of effective STEM programs on Hawaii Island that also promote cultural competency or placebased learning
3. Increase the number of Hawaii Island students who are inspired to pursue postsecondary STEM fields of study
4. Increase the number of Hawaii Island students who complete STEM degree and training programs
Examples of eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
 Innovative approaches to teacher professional learning which engage teachers to increase content knowledge and
pedagogy in STEM subjects;
 Effective in-school, intersession or afterschool STEM learning experiences for K-12 students;
 STEM career-exploration, internship opportunities and preparation for college readiness and success; and
 Cultural and place-based STEM learning opportunities including project based learning providing hands-on, realworld experiences for students and teachers.
ELIGIBILITY

Non-profit organizations with tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status and in good standing, or units of government such as
Hawai‘i’s public schools are eligible to apply. If your organization or project is not currently a 501(c)(3) organization,
you may be able to work in partnership with a fiscal sponsor; please contact HCF staff, Diane Chadwick at
[email protected] for related questions.
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
Organizations must be currently providing services in the State of Hawaii and have been providing those services in
Hawaii for a minimum of 2 years.

Organizations must be in good standing with HCF. Organizations currently funded by HCF with overdue final reports,
as of the proposal deadline, are not eligible to apply. Please contact HCF staff, Diane Chadwick at [email protected] if you are unsure of your organization’s standing.
GRANT RANGE AND REQUIREMENTS
Grant amounts will range in size appropriate to the proposed objectives, targeted population, reach proposed by applicant,
and activities, including programs with multiple partnering organizations. Grants are being considered for up to two years of
funding. HCF anticipates that grants will range from approximately $2,500 - $50,000.
GRANTS MAY NOT BE USED FOR THE FOLLOWING:
1. Business or organization start-up plans;
2. Fundraising events;
3. Re-granting (i.e., redistribution of these funds to other organizations or individuals);
4. For the benefit of specific individuals;
5. Endowments; or
6. Major capital improvements including campaigns, construction or renovations (minor capital improvements required
to implement programs are allowable).
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
 Only complete, online applications will be accepted at: https://nexus.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/nonprofit. The
online STEM Learning application will be available on November 15th. If you are a new user, click “New User
Registration;” the registration process may take up to 2 days so please register early!

The online application has fillable boxes with character limits. The character counts in MS Word do not match the
character counts in the application. If you cut and paste your work into the application, please be sure your text fits the
space provided.

We recognize the significance of diacritical markings in written Hawaiian; however, the online application system is unable
to accept diacritical markings. Please do not include these in your narrative it may cause errors in the way the online
system processes your proposal.

Also, the online application will require completion of nine narrative sections, along with additional materials to be
attached.
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REVIEW CRITERIA AND NARRATIVE QUESTIONS
Proposals will be reviewed by Hawaii Island-based advisors and HCF staff. The strongest proposals will be those that meet
all or most of the following criteria*. The following character counts are approximate to the specified page lengths based on
single-spacing in Arial 12-point font with 1 inch margins.
Criteria
Need
Narrative Questions
1. Please describe the need or opportunity you are working to address and provide evidence that
the program is addressing the need for STEM on Hawai‘i Island. Who is your targeted
population and where are they located on Hawai‘i Island? What are your key strategies and the
major elements of the program and when do they take place? (max 3,500 characters = 3/4
page)
Inspiration
2. Describe how your program inspires interest and engagement in STEM. How do you help
participants connect STEM content to career opportunities? (max 2,000 characters = 1/2 page)
Place-based
Learning
3. If applicable, describe how you use aina (land) and place to promote connections between
Hawaii’s cultural context and contemporary STEM methodologies. (max 2,000 characters – 1/2
page)
Challenging and
Relevant Content
4. Describe the program curriculum. What state or national STEM standards or measures are
promoted by the program? Describe how the program provides opportunities for real world
applications of STEM practices and subject matter. (max 2,000 characters = 1/2 page)
STEM Practices
5. How does the program promote active, hands-on and project-based learning activities (e.g.
open ended research, asking relevant questions, designing problems, carrying out
investigations, etc.)? How does the program promote skills such as innovation, creativity,
critical-thinking and teamwork? (max 2,000 characters = 1/2 page)
Underrepresented
Groups
6. Describe how the program identifies and addresses the needs of groups underrepresented in
STEM on Hawaii Island. How do you promote attention to individual students’ needs, diverse
interests, and different learning styles? (max 2,000 characters = 1/2 page)
Evaluation
7. What results are you trying to achieve and why are they important? Please describe what data
you collect to provide evidence that the program is reaching its goals and having a measurable
impact on student outcomes. How often are data collected and how are data used to
continuously measure and inform progress, including (if appropriate) any lessons from the data
that were/are being used to revise and/or improve the program? (max 2,000 characters = 1/2
page)
Financial Viability
and Partnerships
8. How is the program financially supported? Please describe sustainability challenges and
opportunities as well as how the program will ensure it is viable if/when philanthropic support
ends. How do you build stakeholder support? Describe your current participation in networks
or partnerships that advance the program’s goals. (max 2,000 characters = 1/2 page)
Capacity
9. Describe your organization’s capacity to implement the program successfully (e.g. history and
experience of organization in working with target population, key leaders and/or partners and
their roles/responsibilities and expertise, infrastructure that supports the program). Describe
the staff or volunteers’ knowledge of STEM practices and subject matter as well as STEMrelated professional development activities for staff and volunteers. (max 2,000 characters =
1/2 page)
*HCF appreciates the expertise of Change the Equation shared in the development of this RFP.
The selection criteria were adapted from Change the Equation’s Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy, and Rubric.
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ATTACHMENTS
The first 4 items are required parts of your proposal; proposals missing any of these will not be reviewed.
1. Program Matrix Form (download from HCF’s Nonprofit Gateway).
2. One-page board or leadership group list with affiliations.
3. Program budget showing income and expenses, including budget categories such as personnel, administrative costs,
equipment, supplies, and travel expenses.**
4. The first page of your organization’s most recently filed 990 or 990EZ, or annual operating budget including both
income and expenses for the previous year and the current year.
5. Optional: Recent program, activity and/or evaluation report, curriculum materials, strategic plan
** If you are a national organization please submit your Hawaii program budget describing the proposed activities, proposals without a
Hawaii-specific budget will not be considered.
If you are using a fiscal sponsor, please also attach the following documents:
1. Fiscal Sponsor’s Board of Directors Resolution authorizing project fiscal sponsorship***
2. Fiscal Sponsor’s agreement***
3. Fiscal Sponsor’s Board of Directors list
4. Fiscal Sponsor’s first page of most recently filed 990 or 990EZ, or annual operating budget including both income and expenses
for the previous year and the current year.
***Please see HCF website for sample Fiscal Sponsor materials at http://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/nonprofits/fiscal-sponsormaterials.
FILE NAMING FORMAT FOR ATTACHMENTS
Please use the following descriptive file name format when uploading your files:
1. Application ID_Your Org Name_Name of File (for example, ‘145_HCF_Budget.pdf’ or ‘145_HCF_Board of
Directors.doc’)
2. Do not use apostrophes, #, or parenthesis in your file name
3. Each file must have a unique file name
4. Each file size should be kept below 5000 KB
PROGRESS & FINAL REPORTS
If awarded a grant, you will be asked to submit a final report on metrics related to outreach and applications as specified in
your project matrix form (see attachment 1 above) along with a financial expenditure report.
DEADLINE: Submit your application by clicking the “Submit” button at the end of the
application no later than 4:00 p.m. HST, January 15, 2016
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RFP
If you have any questions, please visit the STEM Learning Partnership website at
http://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org before you contact us.
If you have questions, please contact: Diane Chadwick, Senior Philanthropic Services Officer, [email protected] or
(808) 885-2174
If you have questions about registering your nonprofit on-line or about the on-line application process, please contact:
Marlene Hochuli, (808) 885-2174 or [email protected]
If you have any technical issues, please visit the Help Desk at http://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/ticket.
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