Enhancements for Foster Children Program in the US

Deadline: 15-Sep-22

The Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation is excited to launch the Enhancements Grant Program.

The purpose of the Foundation's Enhancements for Foster Children program is to 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. The funds are offered in the belief that every child is special and that their growth should be nurtured and celebrated.

Funding Information

Grant Range and Duration Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000.
Grantees may propose an administrative fee for administering these funds.
The grant period is from January 1 through December 31, 2022.
Requests for up to three years will be considered. If funded, subsequent years will be contingent on the submission of satisfactory progress reports.

Eligibility Criteria

Tax-exempt Hawaii organizations are eligible to apply. This includes nonprofit organizations,
501(c) (3) organizations, religious organizations that are exempt from taxation, and units of government.
The Foundation seeks to make grants to organizations to purchase enhancement items and services for the benefit of eligible children.
“Eligible child” means a person who:
Resides in Hawaii; and
- Is in one of the following categories:
  - Is under 18 years of age, or under 21 years of age and remains in the foster care system because he or she is attending high school;
  - Is placed by a Hawaii state government agency in therapeutic foster placement or in kinship, foster, or respite care;
  - Is placed by a Hawaii state government agency in permanent custody.
“Enhancement items and services” means:
- Extracurricular activities (e.g., graduation or prom attire, field trips, athletic uniforms);
- Hobbies, sports, and cultural activities (e.g., hula lessons, soccer registration);
- Intersession activities (e.g., summer camp);
- Facilitation of transition into adulthood (e.g., driver’s education, copy of birth certificate);
- Quality of life enhancements (e.g., modest birthday and holiday presents, books, toys).
The following restrictions apply:
- Each expenditure must respond to a specific request made by an eligible child’s foster caregiver, social worker, therapist, school counselor, guardian ad litem, or similar professional service provider for a specific item or service that will enhance the child’s quality of life.
- Payments must be made to vendors for the benefit of eligible children. Payments must not be made directly to children or their foster caregivers.
- Enhancements funds are not intended for basic living expenses such as housing, groceries, medical and dental care, and ordinary tuition expenses.
- Grantees may expend no more than $500 per eligible child during the grant period.
- Grantees may spend no more than 10% of the project budget on administrative fees.
- Grantees must return all unexpended funds at the end of the grant period.
- Grantees may request additional funds if all enhancement funds are expended before the end of the grant period.
- Grantees must submit a final report by January 31, 2022. The Foundation may require interim reports. The Foundation does not accept proposals from organizations with overdue reports.