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Hyundai Hope On Wheels

Annual Giving
$27.0M
Grant Range
$100K - $0.4M
Decision Time
2mo

Hyundai Hope On Wheels

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $27 million (2025)
  • Lifetime Giving: $277+ million since 1998
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $400,000 (standard grants); up to $3 million (endowed chair)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 6-8 weeks (notification by early April, application deadline mid-February)
  • Geographic Focus: United States (expanding to Canada and Mexico in 2025)
  • Eligibility: Children's Oncology Group (COG) member institutions only
  • Application Cycle: Annual

Contact Details

Address: 10550 Talbert Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Website: www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org

Email: Contact through website

Phone: General Hyundai Motor America: 1-800-633-5151

Grant Program Information: Available at hyundaihopeonwheels.org/grant-programs

Overview

Founded in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels (EIN: 26-0628722) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and one of the largest non-profit funders of pediatric cancer research in the United States. Supported by Hyundai Motor America, over 850 dealers nationwide, and customers through donations from every new vehicle sale, the organization has awarded grants totaling over $277 million to support more than 1,300 childhood cancer research grants across 175+ hospitals and research institutions since inception.

In 2024, the organization reached a landmark milestone of $250 million in lifetime giving, celebrating with $26 million in grants for its 26th anniversary. The following year, in 2025, Hyundai Hope On Wheels awarded over $27 million across 106 grants to medical institutions nationwide. The organization announced a global expansion beginning in 2025 to include Canada and Mexico, alongside new strategic initiatives including a $3 million inaugural endowed chair awarded to Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, representing the organization's largest single grant commitment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Hyundai Scholar Hope Grant - $400,000

  • Two-year award competitively selected for translational research
  • Supports researchers working directly with patients
  • Highly competitive with scientific review panel selection
  • 31 grants awarded in 2025

Hyundai Young Investigator Grant - $300,000

  • Two-year award for principal investigators researching childhood cancer biology
  • Targets researchers in 3rd-4th year of fellowship or within 8 years of training completion
  • 16 grants awarded in 2025

Hyundai Impact Grant - $100,000

  • One-year award for innovative research or programmatic support
  • Can support direct patient assistance programs, enrichment initiatives, and care improvements
  • 57 grants awarded in 2025

Hyundai Bridge2K Grant - $150,000

  • One-year award providing seed funding for resubmission efforts
  • Ideal for researchers with NIH K award applications (e.g., K08, K23) that narrowly missed funding
  • Supports strong pediatric cancer-focused grant applications
  • 2 grants awarded in 2025

Endowed Chair - $3 million (inaugural award 2024)

  • Multi-generational commitment to support research leadership
  • Inaugural endowed chair awarded to Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center

Priority Areas

  • Pediatric cancer research with emphasis on innovation and impact
  • Translational research working directly with patients
  • Biology of childhood cancer
  • Novel diagnostic and prognostic approaches
  • Treatment improvements and cure development
  • High-risk forms of childhood cancer
  • Research likely to significantly improve understanding of pediatric cancer biology

What They Don't Fund

  • Institutions that are not Children's Oncology Group (COG) members
  • Researchers who currently hold another Hyundai Hope On Wheels grant (cannot have two HHOW grants simultaneously)
  • Research unrelated to pediatric cancer
  • International institutions (currently; global expansion to Canada and Mexico beginning 2025)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: John Guastaferro, CFRE (joined July 2022)

Board of Directors Leadership:

  • Chairman: Scott Stark, President of South Point Automotive in Austin, Texas (appointed August 2021)
  • Vice Chairman: Jamie Auffenberg, Jr., President of Auffenberg Dealer Group of Illinois
  • Treasurer: Kevin Reilly, President of Alexandria Hyundai in Alexandria, Virginia; also serves as Vice Chair and Chairman of the Hyundai Motor America National Dealer Advisory Council
  • Board Member: Dana W. White, Chief Communications Officer at Hyundai Motor North America

Previous Chairman: Scott Fink served as board chairman for over 12 years before departing in August 2021.

Review Process: Applications are reviewed by a Medical Advisory Committee comprised of leading pediatric oncologists from children's hospitals and research institutions nationwide.

Leadership Quotes

Scott Fink (former Board Chairman): "A key priority for Hyundai dealers is to give back to society and to make sure children have the best possible future for success. We believe that future should be in a world that is free from pediatric cancer."

Dana W. White on Executive Director John Guastaferro: "John is a dynamic leader, brand strategist, and accomplished executive who brings an impressive background in helping to transform philanthropic enterprises. His diverse background and leadership abilities will make a positive difference in the lives of children."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility: Strictly limited to Children's Oncology Group (COG) member institutions in the United States. COG unites over 12,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 220 leading children's hospitals, universities, and cancer centers. Each eligible institution may submit up to one application per grant category.

Application Requirements:

  • Research proposal submitted through the annual application cycle
  • Letter of support from the division chief of pediatric oncology at the applicant institution
  • Concurrence of the development office
  • Principal Investigators may apply in either Scholar Hope or Young Investigator category, but not both
  • PIs cannot have two HHOW grants simultaneously

Grant Selection Criteria: Proposals are peer-reviewed by a scientific panel. Funded grants are selected based on:

  • Innovation to the field
  • Ability to have the greatest impact on improving cures
  • Likelihood of significant impact on improving understanding of childhood cancer biology
  • Development of novel diagnostic or prognostic approaches

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: February 14, 2025
  • Notification: By April 2, 2025
  • First Funding Installment: December 31, 2025

Typical timeline from submission to decision is approximately 6-8 weeks.

Success Rates

2024: 91 grants awarded totaling $26 million

  • 27 Hyundai Scholar Hope Grants
  • 14 Hyundai Young Investigator Grants
  • 50 Hyundai Impact Grants

2025: 106 grants awarded totaling over $27 million

  • 31 Hyundai Scholar Hope Grants
  • 16 Hyundai Young Investigator Grants
  • 57 Hyundai Impact Grants
  • 2 Hyundai Bridge2K Grants

Grants are described as "highly competitive." Specific application-to-award percentages are not publicly disclosed, but the program has grown from $15 million in 2022 to $25 million in 2023 (25th anniversary) to $26-27 million in 2024-2025.

Reapplication Policy

While explicit reapplication policies for unsuccessful standard grant applicants are not publicly detailed, the organization created the Bridge2K Grant specifically to support resubmission efforts of strong pediatric cancer-focused grant applications that narrowly missed funding at national agencies. This demonstrates the organization's commitment to supporting quality research proposals through multiple cycles.

Current HHOW grant holders may not apply for a second HHOW grant while their existing grant is active.

Application Success Factors

Grant Recipient Commitment

If selected, institutions must:

  • Agree to all terms and conditions of the grant agreement
  • Host a Hyundai Hope On Wheels handprint ceremony at the institution's location or virtually during August or September (National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month)

The handprint ceremony is the organization's signature event where children impacted by cancer, doctors and researchers, and Hyundai partners place their painted handprints on a Hyundai vehicle, symbolizing the collective fight against pediatric cancer and hope for a cure.

What the Funder Values

Based on their mission and grant descriptions, successful applications should emphasize:

  1. Innovation: The organization prioritizes research proposals that bring new approaches to the field. Proposals should clearly articulate what makes the research innovative.

  2. Impact Potential: Demonstrate how the research will have significant impact on improving cures, outcomes, or understanding of pediatric cancer. Quantify expected benefits where possible.

  3. Translational Focus: For Scholar Hope Grants, emphasize direct patient connection and how research translates to clinical care.

  4. Career Stage Alignment: Young Investigator applicants should highlight their position within 3-4th year of fellowship or within 8 years of training completion.

  5. Institutional Support: Strong letters of support from division chiefs and development office concurrence signal institutional commitment.

  6. Feasibility: With two-year timelines for major grants, demonstrate realistic milestones and achievable objectives.

Examples of Funded Research

  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Dr. Adam Wolpaw received $400,000 Scholar Hope Award to advance immunotherapy research for neuroblastoma; Dr. Timothy Spear received $250,000 Young Investigator Award for vaccination strategies in cancer treatment (CHOP has received over $7.2 million total from HHOW)

  • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Received combined $500,000 in Young Investigator and Scholar Hope Grants for pediatric cancer research

  • Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center: Received inaugural $3 million endowed chair commitment in 2024

Organizational Values

The organization emphasizes two core values that should resonate throughout applications:

  • Love: Caring, respecting, and loving the children, doctors, researchers, and families in their community
  • Hope: Bringing hope to children and families suffering from pediatric cancer

The organization fulfills its mission through funding innovative research, creating public awareness, stimulating social media conversation, and serving as a thought leader in pediatric cancer research.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. COG Membership is Mandatory: Before investing time in an application, confirm your institution is a Children's Oncology Group member. This is a strict eligibility requirement with no exceptions. Visit childrensoncologygroup.org/locations to verify.

  2. Choose Your Category Strategically: Each institution can submit one application per category, and PIs cannot apply to both Scholar Hope and Young Investigator categories. Align your research focus, career stage, and proposal with the most appropriate grant type.

  3. Emphasize Innovation and Impact: The review panel specifically looks for proposals that will have the greatest impact on improving cures and advancing the field. Clearly articulate what makes your research innovative and how it will change outcomes for children with cancer.

  4. Plan for the Handprint Ceremony: This is a non-negotiable commitment for grant recipients. Ensure your institution is prepared to host this signature event during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (August-September) as part of your grant acceptance.

  5. Consider the Bridge2K for Resubmissions: If you have a strong NIH K award application that narrowly missed funding, the Bridge2K Grant provides strategic seed funding to strengthen your resubmission. This demonstrates HHOW's commitment to supporting quality research across multiple cycles.

  6. Build Institutional Support Early: Applications require letters of support from pediatric oncology division chiefs and development office concurrence. Engage these stakeholders early in your planning process to ensure strong institutional backing.

  7. Timeline Planning: With a February deadline, April notification, and December funding start, plan your research timeline accordingly. The approximately 6-8 week review process moves relatively quickly compared to federal grant cycles, but funding doesn't begin until the end of the calendar year.

References

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