Apply for LeadingAge Innovations Grants and Matching Funding!

LeadingAge has announced that applications are being accepted through Aug. 4 for the 2014 Innovations Fund, which will provide a total of $150,000 in grants to encourage program innovations in two areas – dementia care and mental health needs in senior housing. To increase the Fund’s impact, LeadingAge NY is offering to match any grant made to a member organization here in New York.

Up to $50,000 is devoted to grants for innovative programs to serve residents and clients with dementia. Projects in this category should pursue promising strategies for improving the quality of life and quality of care for people with dementia, and may include non-pharmacological pilot interventions or staff training programs. The remaining $100,000 is devoted to grants for innovative projects that seek to address the mental health needs of low-income residents living in affordable senior housing settings.

In each area of focus, applicants may apply for either $50,000 for new projects or $25,000 to implement existing programs that are adapted in a new way, such as being used in a different setting, delivered by a different staffing arrangement or serving a different population.

LeadingAge is hosting a conference call for interested applicants on Wed., July 9 at 1:30 p.m. EDT. During the call, LeadingAge will discuss components of a good application and take questions from potential applicants. Advance registration is required. Questions about the Innovations Fund may also be sent via email to innovations@leadingage.org.

In support of innovation nationally and in our state, LeadingAge NY contributed to the Innovations Fund and established a matching program for any New York member that receives a grant from the Fund. We were pleased to provide a matching grant of $25,000 to Innovations Fund second round awardee Christopher Community, Inc., (Syracuse, NY) to implement the BeWell program, which integrates psycho-educational activities, screening and interventions for geriatric depression.

We encourage members to apply for this opportunity, and to consider reflecting on LeadingAge NY’s matching program to enhance the competitiveness of their application.

Contact: Dan Heim, dheim@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8866