Aloha United Way supports 45 organizations helping residents facing financial instability

Aloha United Way awarded more than $760,000 to organizations that are working directly with residents facing financial hardships in the first two months of 2026.

Aloha United Way supported 45 community-based organizations through its Safety Net Fund and the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Fund to support programs that address food security, housing stability, workforce development and other essential needs.

“Thousands of residents across Hawaiʻi are just one paycheck away from being in financial crisis,” said Michelle Bartell, Aloha United Way president and CEO. “An unexpected medical bill, car repair or natural disaster can quickly push a family into instability. These funds help ensure our nonprofit partners have the resources to respond when people need help most.”

In February, Aloha United Way distributed $420,000 to 33 Safety Net Fund grantees. The total included support raised through workplace giving campaigns and the Hawaiʻi Resilience Task Force’s Aloha for Hawaiʻi effort.

The Safety Net Fund helps local nonprofits respond quickly to urgent community needs, providing support for residents who may not qualify for government assistance or who face immediate challenges such as food insecurity, housing instability or emergency expenses.

During the same month, Aloha United Way distributed $341,250 to 21 organizations through the ALICE Fund.

Established in 2018, the ALICE Fund supports innovative programs and pilot projects designed to help ALICE households. These households earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic necessities such as housing, food, transportation and health care.

The fund provides resources for nonprofits to test new approaches, expand services and develop solutions that address the root causes of financial instability.

Visit the Aloha United Way website to learn more about its vision to transform individual efforts into collective solutions.