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Victoria S And Bradley L Geist Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.8M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,781,260 (2022)
  • Total Awards: 78 grants (2021), 117 grants (2020)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Hawaii only
  • Application Cycle: Three deadlines annually (January, May, September)

Contact Details

Foundation Administrator: Hawaii Community Foundation Program Officer: Jarissa Lum

Overview

The Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation (EIN 99-0163400) is a private foundation based in Honolulu, Hawaii, dedicated to improving the lives of foster children and their families. The foundation distributed $1,781,260 in grants in 2022 across multiple grant programs. All grant programs are administered through the Hawaii Community Foundation, which manages the application process and grantee relationships. The foundation has particular interest in programs involving the recruitment, initial and follow-up training, or retention of foster parents, sibling connectivity projects, and supporting transitioning foster youth. The foundation also provides grants for medical research related to foster care.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Enhancements for Foster Children

  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000
  • Application Method: Invite-only (contact program officer)
  • Purpose: Enhance the lives of foster children by providing items and services that allow them to enjoy a quality of life similar to that of their peers
  • Application Deadline: September 15 at 4:00 p.m. HST (reviewed at November meeting)

2. Capacity Building

  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $40,000
  • Application Method: Online portal, three annual deadlines
  • Purpose: Supports projects to increase the capacity of organizations and programs to deliver and grow quality services to foster children and their families
  • Multi-year Grants: Available contingent on satisfactory progress reports
  • Application Deadlines: January 15, May 15, September 15 at 4:00 p.m. HST

3. Supporting Transitioning Foster Youth

  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000 per year
  • Application Method: Online portal, three annual deadlines
  • Purpose: Supports the Hawaii Youth Opportunities Initiative, a Co-Investment site with the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative
  • Target Age: Foster youth ages 14-24
  • Application Deadlines: January 15, May 15, September 15 at 4:00 p.m. HST

4. Family Strengthening and Prevention Programs

  • Grant Range: Not specified (general range $5,000 - $50,000)
  • Application Method: Online portal, three annual deadlines
  • Purpose: Fund organizations leading initiatives and services that aim to prevent families and young people from entering the foster care system
  • Application Deadlines: January 15, May 15, September 15 at 4:00 p.m. HST

5. Supporting Foster Children and Their Caregivers

  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000 per year
  • Application Method: Online portal, three annual deadlines
  • Purpose: Provide meaningful support for efforts that will result in supportive homes and experiences for Hawaii's foster children
  • Application Deadlines: January 15, May 15, September 15 at 4:00 p.m. HST

Priority Areas

  • Recruitment, initial and follow-up training, or retention of foster parents
  • Sibling connectivity projects for children in foster care
  • Transitioning foster youth programs (ages 14-24)
  • Capacity building for organizations serving foster children
  • Prevention programs to keep families out of the foster care system
  • Enhancements to improve quality of life for foster children
  • Medical research related to foster care

What They Don't Fund

  • Units of government
  • Public schools
  • Fiscal sponsorships are not permissible
  • Organizations outside of Hawaii
  • Programs that do not primarily serve foster children or their families

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is administered through the Hawaii Community Foundation. Specific information about the foundation's trustees, Victoria S. Geist and Bradley L. Geist, is not publicly available. The day-to-day grant administration is managed by Hawaii Community Foundation staff, with Jarissa Lum serving as the primary Program Officer for Geist Foundation grant programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

First-Time Applicants: Must set up an online account in the Hawaii Community Foundation Grants Portal at https://hawaiicf.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp

Application Process:

  1. Create an account or log in to the Grants Portal
  2. Select the appropriate grant program
  3. Complete the online application
  4. Submit required documents including:
    • Project Tracking Matrix
    • Detailed budget
    • Final Report Guidelines (for reference)
    • Elements of a Good Workplan (for capacity building grants)

Special Note: The Enhancements for Foster Children program is invite-only. Interested organizations should contact Program Officer Jarissa Lum for information on applying.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadlines: January 15, May 15, and September 15 at 4:00 p.m. HST
  • Enhancements Program Review: Applications submitted by September 15 are reviewed at the November meeting
  • Decision Timeframe: Specific decision timelines are not published, but organizations should expect to hear back within 2-3 months of the application deadline

Success Rates

The foundation made 117 awards in 2020 and 78 awards in 2021, with total annual giving of $1,781,260 in 2022. Specific success rate percentages and total application numbers are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent grant cycles. Multi-year grants are available for some programs, with subsequent years contingent on the submission of satisfactory progress reports.

Application Success Factors

Beneficiary Requirements

The majority percentage of the organization's or program's clientele or project beneficiaries must be:

  • Children in the foster custody of a Hawaii state government agency
  • Children placed by a Hawaii state government agency in therapeutic foster placement or in kinship, foster, respite, guardianship, permanent custody, or adoptive families
  • Current foster youth or young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who have aged out of the state child welfare or mental health systems

Alignment with Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative

For transitioning foster youth programs, preference is given to proposals that align with the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. Successful projects should:

  • Demonstrate youth engagement in development
  • Be designed to result in improved youth outcomes in areas such as permanence, education, and employment
  • Support connections to education, employment, housing, health care, and community

Project Planning

Applications should include comprehensive project planning:

  • Clear project goals and objectives
  • Detailed budget showing both requested amounts and other financial resources
  • Project Tracking Matrix to demonstrate implementation plan
  • Well-developed workplan (especially for capacity building grants)

Example of Funded Organization

Child and Family Service received funding from the Geist Foundation specifically supporting Hawaii Island Therapeutic Foster Homes, demonstrating the foundation's support for direct service organizations working with foster children.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Hawaii-only focus: Only tax-exempt Hawaii organizations (501(c)(3) or religious organizations) are eligible; government units and public schools cannot apply
  • Foster care primacy: The majority of beneficiaries must be foster children, youth transitioning from foster care, or their caregivers/families
  • Multiple opportunities: Three application deadlines per year provide flexibility for timing submissions
  • Multi-year funding available: Capacity building and other programs may offer multi-year grants contingent on progress reports
  • Enhancements program requires invitation: Contact Program Officer Jarissa Lum before applying to the Enhancements program
  • Youth engagement matters: For transitioning youth programs, demonstrate how young people are involved in program development
  • Partnership with HCF: All applications go through Hawaii Community Foundation's portal and staff, not directly to the Geist Foundation

References

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