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Oct 23, 2024

Harold K. L. Castle Foundation


Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded in support of up to four public high schools that wish to strengthen transition pathways to help students learn more about how to transition after high school.

Category: General

Harold K. L. Castle Foundation: Post-Secondary Transitions Posted


September 29, 2024

Deadline: November 1, 2024 

Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded in support of up to four public high schools that wish to strengthen transition pathways to help students learn more about how to transition after high school....


Founded in 1962, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation works to build resources for Hawaii’s future. The foundation has issued a Post-Secondary Transition RFP. According to the foundation, Hawaii’s high cost of living means young people must make smart choices, ones that help them to be upwardly mobile. Recent research shows that graduating from the University of Hawai's results in higher lifetime earnings, but not all high school
graduates are willing to enroll. For them, the upwardly mobile life choices are far from clear.


High schools can and should do far more to help students in the 11th and 12th grade think about their future transition after high school and guide them to either enroll (apply for and attend college); enlist (join the military); employ (have the credentials and skills for immediate employment in a living wage job); or explore (continue career exploration through an internship, apprenticeship, or work based learning). 


Through this RFP, the foundation aims to identify up to four public high schools that wish to strengthen transition pathways to help students learn more about how to enlist, employ or explore. The foundation is specifically looking for school partners who are deeply concerned about life after high school and eager to test innovative ideas targeting students, particularly 11th and 12th grade students.


Each selected school will be provided up to $50,000 to support one or more of the following activities from December 2024 through August 2027:


1. Early identification of student interests (RIASEC, YouScience, etc);
2. Improve career exposure specific to non-degree pathways, especially those
entry-level options that lead to advancement and upwards mobility;
3. Set forth clear student pathways such as apprenticeships, entrepreneurship,
service and/or the military;
4. Provide stronger implementation of the personal transition plan (required for
every high school student now but not often used effectively) through better
counseling, advising and mentorship;
5. Increase visibility of these pathways; and/or
6. Offer better support throughout the job application process.


We encourage applicants to be as creative as possible in how you apply these funds. Examples of approved use of funds include food, transport, events, training, professional development, consultants and direct service costs. Please note that we will prioritize applicants that demonstrate a clear understanding of how to sustain efforts beyond the life of the grant.

Each selected school will be provided up to $50,000 for one or more of the following activities from January 2025 through August 2027: early identification of student interests (RIASEC, YouScience, etc.); improve career exposure specific to non-degree pathways, especially those entry-level options that lead to advancement and upward mobility; present clear student pathways such as apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, service, and/or the military; provide stronger implementation of the personal transition plan (required for every high school student now but not often used effectively) through better counseling, advising and mentorship; increase visibility of these pathways; and/or offer better support throughout the job application process.


Applicants are encouraged to be as creative as possible in how to apply these funds. Examples of approved use of funds include food, transport, events, training, professional development, consultants, and direct service costs. 


For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Harold K.L.
Castle Foundation website at: https://castlefoundation.org/contact/
Harold K.L. Castle Foundation
1197 Auloa Road,
Kailua, HI 96734
Phone: 808-263-7073
Fax: 808-261-6918