Enhancements for Foster Children Program in Hawaii

The Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation’s Enhancements for Foster Children funding opportunity is administered through the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and is designed to improve the lives of foster children in Hawaiʻi. This grant program provides funding to eligible organizations that aim to furnish enhancement items and services to children in foster care, helping to ensure that these children enjoy a quality of life comparable to their peers. The Foundation operates with the belief that all children are special and that their development should be supported and celebrated. Funding is available to tax-exempt organizations located in Hawaiʻi, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, religious organizations that are tax-exempt, and government units. Grants range between $5,000 and $50,000, and organizations may request up to three years of funding, though each year beyond the first is contingent on the submission of a satisfactory progress report. Grantees may include an administrative fee in their budget, which must not exceed 10% of the total project costs. The grant period runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Eligible children must reside in Hawaiʻi and be either under 18 years of age or under 21 and still in the foster care system due to school attendance. They must be in care through a Hawaiʻi state government agency in therapeutic foster, kinship, respite care, or permanent custody. Enhancement items and services eligible for funding include extracurricular activities, hobbies and sports, cultural activities, intersession programs like summer camps, transitional support such as driver’s education, and general quality-of-life items like books and toys. Each expenditure must respond to a specific request from a foster caregiver or professional service provider, and all payments must be made directly to vendors—not to the children or their caregivers. The program has strict spending parameters. Grantees cannot spend more than $650 per eligible child during the grant period and must return unspent funds at the end of the period. A final report is due by January 31, 2027, and interim reports may also be required. Proposals from organizations with overdue reports will not be considered. Additionally, grantees may request additional funding if enhancement funds are fully used before the end of the period. Applications must be submitted online through the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Grants Portal by Monday, September 15, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. HST. New users must register on the portal, and returning users should log in to complete and submit the application. The application consists of four major sections: Program Overview, Program Information, Budget, and Support Documents & Certification. Applicants will need to provide detailed information including organization mission, staffing, financials, and board members. Program-specific details such as intended services, outcomes, and staffing qualifications are also required. For assistance with applications, organizations may contact Jarissa Lum at jlum@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5522. Technical support for the online portal is available via a support ticket system. Only complete and timely applications will be accepted. The Foundation will consider submissions at the September 16, 2025, deadline for review at its November Board of Trustees meeting. No other submission periods are available for this grant cycle.

Only complete and timely applications will be accepted. Use character limits appropriately in the online form and ensure your organization’s profile is up to date in the portal.