The GEO Group Foundation
The GEO Group is committed to making a difference in the communities in which it operates. Every year through its charitable foundation, The GEO Group Foundation, GEO supports charities, schools, community organizations, and higher education scholarships for students in communities across the country.
The GEO Group Foundation’s mission is to support the community and charitable involvement of employees and facilities of The GEO Group. The GEO Foundation is committed to supporting, growing, and developing the communities where GEO, its subsidiaries, and affiliated companies operate.
The GEO Foundation pursues this goal by making charitable grants to local charitable nonprofit organizations, schools, and public entities to help them meet their philanthropic goals and public purposes. One of The GEO Foundation’s main goals is to help deserving students within our communities to achieve their education and career goals through university and college scholarships.
Staff at the Aurora Detention Facility participated in the 8th Annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge fundraiser held at the Aurora Reservoir in Aurora, Colorado.
Rivers Correctional Facility donated an Inclement Weather Structure to Ahoskie Graded Elementary School in Ahoskie, NC in early 2017.
Karnes Country Correctional Center and Karnes County Residential Center came together to donate journals so that every student in Karnes City Junior High School can be a part of this powerful movement.
In 2017, LaSalle ICE Processing Center had the privilege of awarding a total of fifty-eight graduates received scholarships totaling approximately $57,000 at the scholarship reception.
In May 2017, The GEO Group Foundation proudly supported the Prison Fellowship’s June 2017 Angel Tree Sports Camp by donating $5,000 to the three-day camp. Prison Fellowship is a nationwide organization whose primary focus is inmate rehabilitation and family reconciliation.
D. Ray James Correctional Facility participated in a 5K run in support of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Camden County, Georgia chapter. Their 2016 event raised over $5,600 for this non-profit program.
On April 14, 2017, through the generosity of Great Plains Correctional Facility staff and the Hinton community, GPCF exceeded their goal and was able to send a check to the Lone Survivor Foundation for $15,379.
On June 15, 2017, The GEO Group’s Eastern Region Office held the fourth annual St. Jude Classic Golf Tournament at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation in Charlotte, North Carolina.
On February 15, 2017, Arizona State Prison-Kingman Warden Jeff Wrigley presented a check for $30,000 to Arizona Special Olympics on behalf of staff and inmates who combined their efforts to organize a holiday season fundraising event for the organization.
Both Karnes Country Correctional Center and Karnes County Residential Center teamed up to show Karnes City Junior High School students' team work by donating basketballs as a reward that will be given to two students in each grade level.
Staff at the Aurora Detention Facility participated in “The Beast”, an event where teams competes for the best time at pulling a Jet aircraft 12 feet! The event is held to support the Special Olympics, raising over $110,000 in 2016!
On November 19, 2016, Big Spring Correctional Center (BSCC) staff hosted the 4th Annual BSCC GEO Veteran’s Day 5K Run/Walk at the Big Spring State Park, raising over $2000 to benefit The Lone Survivor Foundation. BSCC has been a very proud supporter of The Lone Survivor Foundation which restores, empowers, and renews hope for our wounded service members and their families through health, wellness, and therapeutic support.
During the November Bay County School Board meeting, Jamarie Lee learned he would be able to attend a four-year college on a full ride, based mostly on the $10,000 contribution made by The GEO Group Foundation. What is unique about Lee is his continued perseverance which makes him a role model for other students. Jamarie plans to study Engineering.
On June 2, 2016, The GEO Group’s Eastern Region Office commenced the 3rd Annual St. Jude Classic Golf Tournament at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation in Charlotte, NC. Regional Vice President, Blake Davis, along with the regional team gathered with vendors and facility staff to once again support the great charity of St. Jude! Sights were set high for the 3rd year and the goal was exceeded thanks to the generous contributions of all of the sponsors. At the end of the day, a check for $190,000 was presented to St. Jude.
On May 17, 2016, Arizona State Prison – Florence West and Central Arizona Correctional Facility awarded $21,000 in scholarships to the Florence Unified School District through The GEO Group Foundation. Recipients received a scholarship certificate along with a letter of congratulations for all hard work and academic performance.
Each year since the LaSalle ICE Processing Center opened in Jena, The GEO Group, Inc. has awarded a number of scholarships to deserving graduates at the two area high schools. On May 9, 2016, twelve students from LaSalle High School and Jena High School were selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship each, from The GEO Group, totaling $12,000 in monies awarded to these students, based on their grade point average at the end of the year.
On April 30, 2016 The GEO Group’s Central Region office hosted its 17th annual Charity Golf Tournament honoring the Lone Survivor Foundation. The goal this year was to raise $150,000, however, due to the success of the silent auction, the sale of Lone Survivor t-shirts, and the generosity, dedication and determination of all those involved a goal breaking sum of $180,000 was proudly presented to the Lone Survivor Foundation.
On February 20, 2016, Team Geo made their third appearance at the polar plunge fundraising event for the Special Olympic Athletes of Colorado, raising $8,660.55 through bake sales, taco bars, and donations from the generous hearts of the GEO family at the Aurora Detention Center. This fundraising event brought in $80,000.00 this year and since the events inception in 2009 has collected more than a million dollars.
In January 2016, The GEO Group Foundation proudly matched the amount raised by GEO’s Corporate volunteer organization called PACE (Planning and Coordinating Events), doubling the total donated to Wounded Warriors of South Florida to $5,600.
On November 19, 2015, Warden Johnny Choate, AWO Dawn Ceja and AWAF Barbra Krumplemann presented Mrs. Mary Frances Tharp with a check for $5,000.00 for Boys Hope Girls Hope on behalf of our company. We believe in the work this organization provides to our community and The Aurora Detention Center is proud to support Boys Hope Girls Hope!
In November 2015, The Arc staff recently unveiled The GEO Group Eye Gaze and Speech Center during a formal dedication ceremony. The GEO Group Eye Gaze and Speech Center features the Tobii T15, a state-of-the-art communication device that uses only an individual’s eye gaze to allow people with motor impairments to communicate their wants and needs. The device, which is similar to the technology used by world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, and the center are made possible thanks to a $50,000 naming gift from The GEO Group Foundation. The availability of this device will enable the students at our Potentials Charter School to communicate in ways never before possible.
In 2015, The GEO Group Foundation fulfilled a request for $1,500 to purchase much needed new equipment for Monarch Middle School’s Outdoor Education Club. Outdoor Education Club has been a one-of-a-kind opportunity for 7th and 8th graders, teaching them to become good stew-ards of the outdoors. With the donation from The GEO Group Foundation, they were able to procure six tents, six cooking pots, twelve fuel bottles, fuel, three backpacking stoves and two first-aid kits. The equipment purchased with this generous donation will benefit hundreds of students in the years to come.
On March 13, 2015, The GEO Foundation proudly donated $80,000 to the Step Up For Students Scholarship Program. Step Up For Students provides K-12 scholarships and related support to give disadvantaged families the freedom to choose the best learning options for their children.
In 2015, McFarland High School awarded GEO Foundation scholarships to 10 students. These young men and young women were grateful for the investment in their future.
On March 20, 2015, The GEO Foundation proudly donated $5,000 to Palm Beach State College Foundation.
In 2015, Arizona State Prison – Florence West and Central Arizona Correctional Facility, through The GEO Group Foundation, awarded a total of $21,000 in student scholarships to the Florence Unified School District. High school graduates received a scholarship certificate with a letter of congratulations. The two GEO Group facilities were honored and excited to help the Poston Butte High School seniors to fulfill their dream for higher education.
On May 8, 2015, The GEO Group Foundation donated $5,000 to Communities In Schools of Palm Beach. The GEO Group Foundation has supported Communities In Schools for the past three years. This donation will help Communities In Schools fund prevention programs that keep students in school and on the path to graduation, college or careers that keep them on the right track.
On May 1, 2015, Warden Ralph Cherry presented a $2,000 check to Clayton County Commissioner Chairman Jeffery Turner, who commended The GEO Group for its continued support of education. The GEO Group made a commitment to the Clayton County Board of Commissioners to support education through an annual $10,000 scholarship. Each of the five Commissioners receives $2,000 to provide financial assistance to college bound students in their districts.
In 2015, The GEO Group Foundation has donated $1,000 to the Victor Valley Rescue Mission. These funds were used to provide 487 hot traditional Thanksgiving meals to poor and homeless men, women, and children, who are out of a job, or struggling with addictions. Veronica Trujillo, Community Relations Specialist representing the Victor Valley Rescue Mission, received The GEO Group Foundation donation check which was presented by Desert View MCCF employees: Michael Grebenok, AWFA, Kristine Baker, CDCR Clerk, Sandye Martinez, Bookkeeper, Andrea Alzate, Business Clerk, Tracy Rodriguez, Inmate Accounts Clerk, Cory Powers, MIS, and Donna Coapstick, Programs Manager.
In 2014, The GEO Group Foundation with the help of other organizations, GEO’s Central Region Office, and the Rio Grande Detention Center team, purchased 500 gifts including toys, shoes, and goody bags to donate to 250 kids at three Head Start schools located in Laredo, El Cenizo, and Rio Bravo, Texas.
On October 29, 2014, The GEO Group Foundation proudly donated $40,000 to the AAA Scholarship Foundation. The donation will provide scholarships to economically-disadvantaged families in Arizona, so that they may select the best educational opportunities for their children.
GEO Foundation Highlights
Foundation Annual Reports