The Ganbare Maui Fund, created by the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui, provides financial assistance to individuals, organizations, and institutions impacted by the 2023 wildfires who are actively working to preserve, perpetuate, or revitalize Japanese culture in the Maui community.

“Ganbare” (がんばれ) is an expression of encouragement that means “Do your best” or “Don’t give up.” This fund honors that spirit of resilience and seeks to support efforts that help Japanese traditions, arts, and practices thrive for the benefit of the broader community.

Grant funds may be used for culturally significant purchases such as equipment, instruments, supplies, or programming expenses that are community-oriented. This includes public cultural demonstrations, educational workshops, community events, group performances, cultural food businesses, and restoration of shared spaces like temples, clubs, or classrooms.

Applicants are requested not to submit for personal collections or private cultural practices that are not publicly shared. However, if the proposal includes plans to teach, perform, or engage others, it may align with the purpose of this fund.

For example, a request to replace a tea set that will be stored in a cupboard and used privately may have limited cultural impact. In contrast, a tea set used to host a family tea ceremony, cultural gathering, or community demonstration would reflect stronger alignment with the fund’s goals of cultural sharing and engagement.

Below are some guidelines for the program. Email jcsmhawaii@gmail.com if you have questions.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

1. Have been directly affected by the 2023 wildfires

(individual, business, or organization must have operated in or resided in affected areas).

2. Demonstrate a cultural connection to Japanese heritage, and community benefit—whether through:

Applicants do not need to be Japanese to apply.

3. Request funds for specific, culturally relevant expenses, such as:

4. Submit a complete application for board review.

Fund request limit:

• Applicants may request up to $2000.

Reimbursement Process

The Ganbare Maui Fund operates on a reimbursement basis. This means that:

• Applicants must first apply and be approved by the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui (JCSM) before moving forward with the process or making any purchases.
  
  

• Once approved, the applicant will be responsible for paying for the eligible expense upfront.
  
  

• The applicant must then submit official receipts and a short report or summary explaining how the funds were used.
  
  

• Once documentation is reviewed and approved, JCSM will reimburse either the cost of the receipt or the amount originally approved—whichever is lower.
  
  

Please note that funds will only be disbursed after receipts and reporting are submitted and found to be in line with the approved request. No pre-payments or advances will be issued.

What Funds Cannot Be Used For:

• Personal living expenses or general financial aid

• Non-cultural or non-Japanese affiliated efforts

• Travel unrelated to Japanese cultural recovery or perpetuation

Application Review & Availability

Applications to the Ganbare Maui Fund are accepted on a rolling basis, but will be reviewed monthly by the JCSM Board.

• Reviews are conducted on the second Monday of each month.
  
  

• To be considered for that month, applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. HST the Sunday prior.
  
  

• Applications received after the deadline will be automatically considered during the following month’s review cycle.
  
  

Please note that the application form may be closed at any time without prior notice depending on the availability of funds. Submitting an application does not guarantee funding. 

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APPLICATION FORM

 APPLICATION FORM