Foster Children and Their Caregivers in Hawaii

The Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation is offering a funding opportunity focused on enhancing the lives of foster children in Hawaii and providing meaningful support to their caregivers. The foundation operates in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and aims to foster healthy and supportive environments for foster children by funding programs that serve their needs directly or through the aid of resource caregivers. The initiative is part of the foundation's broader commitment to the well-being of Hawaii’s most vulnerable youth populations. This funding opportunity emphasizes several strategic priorities, including recruitment, training, and retention of high-quality resource caregivers, maintaining sibling relationships for children in foster care, addressing the unique needs of foster children and their caregivers, and empowering foster children to engage in decisions that affect their lives. Eligible applicants are limited to tax-exempt organizations located in Hawaii. These include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, religious organizations exempt from taxation, government units, and other qualified Hawaii-based nonprofits. Additionally, programs must serve a population where more than 50% are foster children in custody or placement by a Hawaii state agency or their caregivers. Funding requests may range from $10,000 to $50,000 per year, with consideration given to the organization’s operating budget. Multi-year grants for up to three years may be awarded based on satisfactory progress reporting. Administrative fees are capped at 5% unless the applicant exclusively serves legally recognized foster children and their caregivers. Capital projects and endowment requests are explicitly excluded from funding. Strong applications will clearly articulate program goals, demonstrate the capacity for successful implementation, include evaluation methods, and leverage other financial or community-based resources. Applications are submitted online through the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Grants Portal. Applicants must ensure their organization profile is certified annually prior to submission and provide documentation such as IRS determination letters, staffing information, financials, board lists, and details about services provided. The application form includes four main sections: Program Overview, Program Information, Budget, and Support Documents & Certification. Applicants are expected to present a comprehensive narrative of their organization, detail the problem or opportunity addressed, outline the program's design and timeline, list expected results, and present a clear and well-reasoned budget. There are three annual deadlines for submission: January 15, 2025; May 15, 2025; and September 15, 2025. Applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on these dates to be considered for review at the next Board of Trustees meeting, scheduled in March, July, and November respectively. Recurring submission opportunities are available annually on the same dates. Applications must be completed and submitted online using the foundation’s portal. New users must create an account, and fiscal sponsors, if applicable, must be pre-registered in the system. Technical assistance is available through a support ticket system on the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation website. Applicants with questions about this funding opportunity may contact Jarissa Lum at jlum@hcf-hawaii.org or by calling (808) 566-5522. Incomplete applications and applications from organizations with overdue reports will not be accepted. Required supporting documents include a Project Tracking Matrix and, if a fiscal sponsor is used, a board resolution and agreement form. These materials, along with a user guide, are available through the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s grant website.

Ensure all required documents are uploaded; begin early due to character limits; ensure fiscal sponsor is registered if applicable.