In the world of nonprofit organizations, particularly the smaller ones often run on a shoestring budget, grants are truly what keep their missions alive.

That's why it's encouraging to see the city offer 50 nonprofit groups access to a popular grants database — Grants Locator from eCivis— that provides not only information on what grants are available, but also application documents and tips on how to crafts successful proposals.

Similar databases can typically cost $1,000. So it's no surprise that folks from more than 100 nonprofits lined up bright and early, hoping to make the cut and get one of the 50 free licenses to access the database. They were distributed on a first-come first-serve basis.

The mayor says given the strong response, the city is considering expanding its offer, as well as looking at other ways to help the nonprofit community.

So far, the feedback from some of the nonprofits that received the free licenses has been positive. Some agencies report finding key funding opportunities that they will continue to pursue.

"It's another way for the public and private sectors to collaborate for the betterment of our community," Mayor Mufi Hannemann said.

He's right.

Helping O'ahu's nonprofits help others is a win for the community as a whole.

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.