Grant Writing Guru

10/15/2026

As an Afro-Puerto Rican -- and a former Air Force officer -- I am doubly proud to be the Hispanic Heritage Month guest speaker tomorrow at the Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA Clinic in Kapolei.

My topic is "The History of Hispanics in Hawaiʻi: 1794 to the Present."

It covers the contributions Hispanics have made to Hawaiʻi for 232 years.

Contrary to popular belief, Hispanics are not the new kids on the Hawaiian block. We helped build the block!

Our history begins with Francisco de Paula Marín, a Spaniard who arrived in Honolulu around 1794. He served Kamehameha I as: translator; business manager; "doctor,": and vintner. (Yes, he made w**e for the king!)

Since then, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Spaniards -- and many Hispanics from around the world – made these islands their home and they contributed to the betterment of our local society.

Hawai’i’s Hispanic population this month is estimated to be 152,000, roughly 10.6%.

That means one-of-every-ten Hawaii resident is Hispanic.

10/09/2026

This is what we do...

10/09/2026

Honolulu's FY2028 Grants-in-Aid Cycle Opens Today

The City & County of Honolulu's Office of Grants Management is scheduled to release the FY2028 Grants-in-Aid (GIA) RFP today.

Proposals are due: Nov 30, 2 p.m. HST

GIA funds nonprofit services for disadvantaged populations and public-benefit projects in:

- arts
- culture
- economic development
- homeless
- the environment
- education
- workforce training
- health
- seniors
- youth.

Organizations can request up to $150,000 for October 2027 through September 2028 project year.

Mari and I have worked with this program for 10 years. Its one of the most important local funding opportunities for our Oahu nonprofit clients.

Last year we submitted eight applications, and six were funded.

If you're an Oʻahu nonprofit -- or know one -- that wants help with its application, call us at (808) 367-1761 for a free 30-minute consultation.

10/09/2026

My topic is "The History of Hispanics in Hawaiʻi: 1794 to the Present."

Many people are surprised to learn that Hispanics – military and civilians -- have lived here and contributed to Hawaii for 232 years.

One trivia fact I present: “Francisco de Paula Marín left the first written record of pineapple cultivation in Hawaiʻi, in his diary entry of January 21, 1813.” Did he plant the first pineapple in the kingdom? That's debated, but he was the first to document planting one.

Over the past 40 years, Ive spoken at Hispanic Heritage Month events at nearly every military installation on Oʻahu.

This will be my first presentation at the new VA clinic. As a former Air Force officer, I'm especially proud to share the history of our community in these beautiful islands with the veterans and staff who serve there.

10/07/2026

Hispanic Heritage Month always takes me back to my roots in Spanish Harlem, where I grew up dancing Salsa in the streets.

That's why serving as grant writer for the International Salsa Museum means so much to me.

Under Co-Founder and Executive Director W***y Rodriguez, the museum is working to build a permanent home in New York City, the birthplace of Salsa.

Its mission is to preserve the history of Salsa, Mambo, Son, and Latin Jazz and to pass it on to the next generation.

This mission is part of my DNA.

¡Que viva la Salsa!

10/05/2026

Some Hawaiʻi nonprofits often think grant readiness begins when the application opens.

The new DHHL (Dept of Hawaiian Homelands) FY2027 opportunities show why it begins much earlier.

DHHL has identified $10 million for: economic enterprises; homestead facilities; community programs; and capacity building.

But a compelling narrative alone will not establish eligibility. Applicants may also need: current compliance documents; board policies; beneficiary data; community support; and evidence of an appropriate DHHL land disposition.

There is another lesson. Always verify the controlling procurement record.

Strong grant strategy combines mission alignment with: document control; governance; and deadline discipline.

That preparation is not administrative overhead. It is part of competitiveness.

Native Hawaiian nonprofits needing help with their DHHL grant applications can contact our experienced VBC team at (808) 367-1761.

10/04/2026

09/28/2026

60 nonprofits formed. 150 business plans written. Zero guesswork.

Behind every number in this graphic is an organization that went from idea to funded, certified, or contract ready.

The timing matters. As of September 10, SBA has brought back its merit-based "potential for success" review for 8(a) applicants, which means that business plans, capability statements, and financials now carry more weight than ever. A thin plan is not good enough anymore.

At Villa Business Consulting, we've spent years honing the details that get applications approved and grants funded: SAM registration; SBA 8(a) and NHO 8(a) applications; 501(c)(3) formation; grant writing; and post-award compliance that keeps the money flowing.

Whether you're a nonprofit chasing your first grant -- or a small business eyeing federal contracts -- we've done this 210 times before!

(808) 367-1761

09/24/2026

Villa Business Consulting Welcomes the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce

We're honored to announce that Villa Business Consulting’s newest client is the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce (NHCC)…!

For decades, NHCC has championed Native Hawaiian businesses and professionals, and have celebrated generations of leaders who carry Hawaiian values into commerce and community.

In these islands, we’re all in the same canoe (wa’a), so Mari and I are proud to be able to assist them in their endeavors.

Imua…!

09/24/2026

What a great evening at the BIA Hawaiʻi x Hawaiian Telcom Pau Hana!

Mari and I were proud to be there last night at Hana Koa Brewing's Moon Room -- both as BIA members and as BIA’s grant writers.

The room was full of a wonderfully diverse mix of people: contractors; suppliers; designers; tech folks; and community partners, all talking story and making new connections.

A big mahalo to Hawaiian Telcom for co-hosting and for sharing how their 100% fiber network is helping build the connectivity Hawaiʻi will need for years to come. Construction and connectivity go hand in hand, and it was great to see those two worlds in the same room.

Congratulations to Roseann Freitas, CEO of BIA Hawaiʻi -- and to the BIA team -- for putting on yet another outstanding event.

Events like this are a reminder of why BIA is such a strong home for Hawaiʻi's building industry. It creates real relationships, and real relationships are what move our community forward.

We're really glad we went, and we're already looking forward to the next one. Check out the photos!