Grant Request Pivotal
Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form
Organization Name: Pivotal
Legal Name (if Different): Pivotal Connections
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 26835
City: San Jose
State: CA
Postal Code: 95159
Main Phone: 408 484 6200
Main Fax: 408 484 1095
Organization Website: www.pivotalnow.org
Employer ID Number: 77-0166138
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)
Proposal Information
Today’s Date: 3/17/25
Requested Amount: $10,000
Project Title: Pivotal Foster Youth Middle & High School Coaching Program
Project Description:
The Pivotal Middle & High School Coaching Program supports young people in and from foster care through the critical high school years to position them for their future success in school, employment, and life. Throughout the academic year, our full-time staff coaches provide trauma-responsive, individualized services to our scholars, helping them develop and implement a graduation plan, supporting them in career exploration, and looking ahead to post-secondary options. We provide consistency and structure for these young people who often move around from school to school or district to district. By encouraging a stronger commitment to academic and career goals, our coaches help students graduate high school and matriculate to post-secondary education.
At the start of the program year, coaches have youth assess themselves on their perceived fluency in four critical Success Skills identified by Pivotal as being essential to long-term academic and employment success. The skill categories were determined through research in best practices for positive youth development and social-emotional learning, predictors of academic success, and lead indicators of career readiness. The skills are Self-Awareness, Communication and Self-Advocacy Skills, Organization and Time Management Skills, and Accessing and Utilizing Resources. Coaches use these assessment results to have focused conversations with each student discussing the youths’ vision and goals for themselves, establishing strategies for success, and talking through potential barriers.
Our coaches meet regularly with the youth on their rosters to check in on academic and program goal progress, identify and address barriers to success, support the development of Success Skills, provide college exploration, application, and matriculation support including college tours, application support, financial aid and scholarship research and application support. Coaches collaborate with social workers, caregivers, treatment professionals, and others to ensure a unified vision in terms of academic needs. Coaches also connect youth to other resources and services as needed.
Total Project Budget: $961,817
Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): We have received the following funding specific to our High School Coaching program for this academic year: CONFIRMED: Costco Charitable: $20,000 KLA Foundation: $100,000 In-N-Out Burger Foundation: $39,000 June and Julian Foss Foundation: $5,000 PENDING: Jewish Teen Foundation $10,000
Project Duration: Pivotal services are offered year-round, with no specific enrollment dates for participants. While we see a spike in referrals at the beginning of the school year, our doors are open to foster youth whenever they need us.
Geographical Area Served: Pivotal serves young people in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties who were in foster care for at least one day after their 13th birthday and follows them wherever they may move to.
Age Group To Be Served: The majority of our Middle & High School scholars are between the ages of 13 and 19.
Contact Information
Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Maria
Contact Last Name: D’Souza
Contact Title: Senior Manager, Grants & Communications
Contact Phone: 408 465 3707
Contact Email: maria.dsouza@pivotalnow.org