Youths in Hawaii

The Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation offers a funding opportunity designed to support transitioning foster youth in Hawaiʻi. This initiative is aligned with the broader efforts of the Hawaiʻi Youth Opportunities Initiative and the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. The Foundation is focused on improving the lives of foster youth aged 14 to 24 as they transition to adulthood, emphasizing permanence, education, employment, housing, health, social capital, and financial capability. The program supports projects that foster youth engagement in both design and implementation, aiming to achieve measurable outcomes in key areas of life readiness. Proposals that closely align with the goals and framework of the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative are prioritized. Programs are expected to include clear plans for impact, measurement, and continuous improvement, and to demonstrate a strong understanding of the needs of foster youth in transition. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations based in Hawaiʻi such as nonprofits, 501(c)(3) entities, religious organizations exempt from taxation, and units of government. To qualify, applicants must serve a client base consisting of at least 50 percent current or former foster youth who were in state welfare or mental health systems after age 14, including those later adopted or reunified. Grants generally range from $10,000 to $75,000 annually, with multi-year commitments (up to three years) available, contingent on satisfactory progress reports. Administrative costs are limited to 5% unless the organization exclusively serves the target population. The Foundation does not fund capital expenditures or endowments. The application process is fully online via the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Grants Portal. Applicants must create or update their organization profile with detailed information and submit a four-part application that includes the program overview, detailed narrative, expected results, budget, and supporting documentation such as the Project Tracking Matrix. Community partnerships are strongly encouraged and must be clearly defined, including roles and past collaboration history. Application deadlines for 2025 are January 15, May 15, and September 15, all at 4:00 p.m. HST. Proposals submitted by each deadline are reviewed during the Foundation’s board meetings in March, July, and November respectively. For assistance, applicants may contact Jarissa Lum at jlum@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5522. Technical support is available through the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s support ticket system.