Like all publicly supported non-profit foundations we are always in need of funding to support our research, education and conservation programs. Donations to the Kula Nai’a Foundation can provide funding to support one or several different projects.

Research support - funding is needed for research equipment, salaries, fuel for boats, film, and food and housing for research assistants. All of our research efforts are focused on studying the populations of dolphins found in the waters around the islands of Hawai‘i, Maui and Lana‘i. This long-term research effort has continued for more than 13 years thanks to countless donated hours and generous contributions from numerous private and corporate donors, foundations and government agencies.

Education Programs –funding for our education programs generally comes from grants from foundations and donations. We have developed education programs for high school students, college students and most recently elementary students. Recently, we received grants from the Atherton Family Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to support the development of community education programs on marine protected species. In order for the foundation to receive the full $50,000 in funding from NFWF, we will need to raise an additional $70,000 from non-governmental sources. For every 2 dollars that are donated to the community education programs, NFWF will match with an additional $1.