Kupa ‘Aina Receives $30,000 from Indigenous Tomorrows Fund Grant  October 21, 2025

In a first-of-its-kind initiative led by young people (ages 14-24), Native Americans in Philanthropy, Newman’s Own Foundation, and Novo Nordisk has awarded Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) $30,000 from the Indigenous Tomorrows Fund. The grant will benefit PIDF’s Kupa ‘Aina Natural Farming Project (Kupa ʻAina), which is paving the way for a food-secure Hawaiʻi by developing sustainable food production models and providing cultural ʻāina (land)-based experiential education and workforce development. Kupa ʻAina serves as a place for learning, healing, and connecting to ʻāina. 

In addition to growing produce using agroforestry and Indigenous methods, Kupa ʻAina also offers two programs to youth, Hoʻokahua Workforce Development Program and Hoʻokanaka Cultural Diversion Program. Through these programs, youth are given the opportunity to improve their vocational skills and strengthen their identity and values using ʻāina-based practices. The Indigenous Tomorrows Fund will support Kupa ʻAina as it continues to foster island resiliency, sustainability, and positive development in our youth. 

“During my time at Kupa ‘Aina, I learned to look at things from a different perspective, learned how to wait for the right place, the right time,” shares Colt, who experienced the transformative programs at Kupa ‘Aina. “Being at Kupa ‘Aina helped me change the way I think, the way I do things.” 

The Indigenous Tomorrows Fund is supporting organizations across the nation that are implementing community-led strategies to advance health and wellbeing, secure food justice for children, and strengthen intergenerational connections between culture and healing. The Indigenous Tomorrows Fund distributed $720,000 to communities across the United States. PIDF is honored to be 1 of 24 recipients, and 1 of only 3 in Hawaiʻi. 

This grant will help Kupa ʻAina continue connecting program participants, volunteers, and community members with ʻāina and sustainable natural farming methods. Through ʻāina, food security is one step closer, values are defined, and personal growth is achieved.