Kūkulu Switchboard
The Kūkulu Switchboard is a tech tool rooted in the cultural values and strengths of Hawaiʻi. Kōkua aku, Kōkua mai Ask for what you need, Offer what you have.
The mission of the Kūkulu Switchboard is to facilitate and advocate for equitable, responsive resourcing of the community innovators solving social and environmental problems in Hawaiʻi.
How It Works
Kūkulu Switchboard was created to facilitate connections between philanthropy and community in Hawai’i, and enable timely resource exchange through a facilitated digital peer-to-peer network.
Asks and Offers for resources (financial, human, or otherwise) are posted, categorized, and searchable to easily connect with needs. It’s a simple, curated, human-operated platform that increases community capacity, connecting nonprofits and socially minded innovators with resources like funding, technical assistance and potential partners in real-time and in a transparent, equitable way.
Kūkulu Switchboard connects community to resource stewards (philanthropy, donors, peers), and enables timely resource exchange through a human-operated online platform.
- The platform is open to everyone for viewing and posting
- Posts are categorized as either an ASK or OFFER
- ASKS and OFFERS can be for funding, volunteers, in-kind donations, technical assistance, and potential partners
- Partial funding for financial ASKS on the Kūkulu Switchboard are welcomed
- Projects do not need to be a registered 501(c)3 or fiscally sponsored to post
Goals of Kūkulu
The Kūkulu Switchboard is centered around the community, fostering transformation through responsive giving that nurtures trust and builds relationships between innovative solutions and resource stewards. It emphasizes resiliency through community accountability and equitable pathways, creating a vibrant network of trusted, effective community-led solutions. This approach aims to cultivate a rich environment conducive to transformation and systemic change.
Lift
Lift up the legacy and mindset of abundance in our communities.
Grow
Grow the culture of mutual aid to promote open sharing, inclusivity + collaboration.
Connect
Facilitate connections to resources and needs.
The Kūkulu Community Includes
“Kūkulu was instrumental in helping us connect with the Hawaiʻi People’s Fund for the Chuuk Language and Cultural School. The funding supported the repair of the Utterick at the Waipahu Plantation Village.”
— Youth, Arts & Educational Programming | Waipahu Save Haven (Oʻahu)
Creative Ways Nonprofits Use Kūkulu Switchboard For Funding & Resources
- Funding to deliver on mission: $2,500 to provide 50 refurbished desktops to underserved ʻohana in Puna and Hilo.
- Funding for specific operations needs: The Koʻolau Foundation needs a new laptop.
- Startup/Operational Funds: Sustʻāinable Molokaʻi – $80,000 for Refrigerated truck to scale local food supply chain.
- Funding for a position to increase capacity: Funding for a Part-Time Coordinator of the Hawai‘i Youth Food Council
- Resources to Re-Open: How to safely re-open our business to the community?
- Technical Assistance: Free Technical Assistance for Nonprofits applying for SBA Loans
- Funding for Energy Efficiency Projects: Due Sept 30: up to $25K for Small Biz/Nonprofit Energy Project
- Grant Opportunities & Tips: “Small” grants of c. $2,500 each for non-profits
Kūkulu: noun – Pillar, post, edge, horizon;
vv. To stand up together, as a multitude;
vt. To build, as a house; to construct, erect, establish, organize, set up; to put up, as a frame of a native house, tent or as mast and sail; to form, to found, as a society;
s. The place where the sky apparently meets the horizon.
Kūkulu Sponsors
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