The Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation is accepting grant applications from organizations to help improve the legal status and welfare of women and children in Hawaii.

The deadline to submit applications is July 10.

Grants range from $500 to $5,000 to help organizations with projects or help groups in the beginning stages of their initiative. Some of the main criteria include the applicants’ goals to improve women and children’s access to the legal system and reduce child abuse, domestic violence and sexual abuse. The criteria also include increasing financial independence and improving women and children’s health, education and welfare.

Among the many organizations the foundation previously awarded grants to are the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, Waikiki Health Center and Building Blocks for Tots.

Applications are available at www.hwlf.org. Those interested in applying may also e-mail Lane Hornfeck at lhornfeck@starnlaw.com or Zale Okazaki at zale.okazaki@hawadvocate.com.

For more information, call Hornfeck at 537-6100 or Okazaki at 537-6119.