Kosasa Foundation Opportunity Youth Grant

The Kosasa Foundation Opportunity Youth Grant aims to support organizations that assist Opportunity Youth (ages 16-24) who are disconnected from education and employment in Hawaii. The initiative focuses on fostering pathways to success through educational and workforce programs, creating a network of shared learning among grantees, and collecting vital data to understand the challenges faced by these young adults. The foundation emphasizes diverse approaches to ensure that all youth have resources and support to thrive.

NOTE: First step of application is to fill out a short questionnaire to see if your organization qualifies for our next round of funding. This is represented by letter of inquiry above. If it’s determined that your organization qualifies for funding, you will receive a link to the application portal.
The Kosasa Foundation is excited to launch a new program initiative with a focus on increasing success for Opportunity Youth (OY) — a growing segment of young people between ages 16 – 24 who are neither in school, in job training, nor employed in the workforce. We support organizations that have the passion to make a difference and the skill to work together to create lasting change.
Program Purpose
To support programs that are effective at reconnecting Opportunity Youth to educational, workforce, career, and community that provide pathways to success.To create shared learning amongst Kosasa OY grantees around their practice and how they measure their impact.Gather and use relevant data on measures that matter most to young adults to increase our understanding of the challenges of this transition period and how communities and institutions can best support Opportunity Youth in their desire to connect and belong.
Our goal is not to narrow our program but to explore diverse approaches, strengthen a continuum of support, and nurture learning amongst grantees and with the Kosasa Foundation.
Measuring Our Success
While we hope to have a variety of programs that are delivering meaningful results to young adults, we intend to work with our grantees to explore success measures that are relevant for their approach and that can be shared across the network.

• High School connection – completing HS diploma or equivalency.
• Postsecondary connection – completing postsecondary credential (includes industry training, apprenticeship programs)
• Workforce connection – employed, preferably in a job with potential for advancement to living wage.
• Equity Outcomes – we would also collect relevant socioeconomic data on the population served so we can better understand underlying equity issues.

Eligibility

501(c)3 non profit organizations working in HawaiʻiWhat we fund:

• General operating supportProjectsCapital campaigns