Deadline to Apply for Grants is December 15, 2013

HONOLULU (November 1, 2013) –The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, as trustee of the Public Health Fund (PHF), is currently accepting applications for funding of health-related initiatives on Oahu. Through PHF, the Chamber provides grants to non-profit organizations on the island that are implementing meaningful public health education and research projects, with a preference for projects that require collaborative effort and for which funds are not available from other sources.

The deadline for submitting grant applications is December 15, 2013. Interested applicants can download an application at http://cochawaii.com/public-health.asp or email phf@cochawaii.org.

The PHF was originally initiated in response to the epidemic of bubonic plaque that closed Honolulu Harbor and quarantined part of Honolulu in 1899. The Chamber was, subsequently, appointed trustee of the fund and was directed to limit grants to public health activities within the City and County of Honolulu.

Since 1985, as the designated steward of PHF, the Chamber has awarded grant monies totaling $3.3 million to non-profits on Oahu. In 2012, more than $110,000 was awarded to 14 organizations including: Aloha Medical Mission, Ethnic Education Foundation of Hawaii, Families and Prevent Child Abuse Neglect, Hawaii Food Bank, Joyful Heart Foundation, Kokua Kalihi Valley, Lanakila Pacific, Mental Health America, The Institute for Human Services, Inc., Save the FoodBasket, United Self Help, U.S. VETS Initiative-Waianae, Wahiawa Community Health Center Project and Young Women’s Christian Association of Oahu (YWCA) for various programs which promote public health education, research and resources.

Previous grants have been awarded to programs which support AIDS education, mental health assistance, cholesterol and diabetes screening, prevention of homelessness and hunger, aid to persons with disabilities, drug abuse prevention and research, as well as disease prevention and diagnosis.

As the leading “Voice of Business” in Hawaii, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is the state’s largest organization advocating for businesses in Hawaii. Established in 1850, the Chamber works on behalf of its approximately 1,000 member companies and the business community, as a whole, to advance the state’s economic climate and help businesses succeed. The Chamber supports its members with training, business building and networking opportunities; lobbies government and advocates on behalf of business interests; and serves as a liaison between civilian and military communities in Hawaii.

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Contact: Kimi Houston-Sur
808-545-4300, x353
phf@cochawaii.org

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