Grant funding is a vital resource for many AAAs (Area Agencies on Aging) and CBOs (Community-Based Organizations) that serve vulnerable populations. However, with limited resources and growing demand, these organizations need to get creative with their funding to maximize their impact. Here are some of the ways AAAs and CBOs are using grant funding to innovate and better serve their communities.
Developing new programs and services
One of the most effective ways AAAs and CBOs are using grant funding is to develop new programs and services that address unmet needs in their communities. For example, an AAA might use grant funding to create a transportation program for seniors who can’t drive or a home-delivered meal program for people with disabilities who are unable to cook for themselves. By creating these new programs and services, AAAs and CBOs can better serve their communities and reach people who might not have been able to access their services before.
Collaborating with other organizations
Collaboration is key to the success of many AAAs and CBOs. By working together with other organizations, they can pool their resources and expertise to better serve their communities. However, collaboration can be challenging without the necessary resources. AAAs and CBOs are using grant funding to collaborate with other organizations on projects that benefit their communities, such as joint transportation initiatives or shared technology platforms.
Conducting research
Research is essential to understanding the needs of vulnerable populations and developing effective solutions to address those needs. However, research can be expensive and time-consuming. Grant funding is being used to conduct research on topics such as best practices in senior care or the impact of social isolation on mental health. Through this research, AAAs and CBOs can better understand the needs of their communities and develop more effective programs and services.
Advocating for policy change
Policy change is often necessary to improve the lives of vulnerable populations. Grant funding is vital in helping AAAs and CBOs advocate for policy changes at the local, state, and federal levels that benefit their communities. For example, an AAA might use grant funding to hire a lobbyist to advocate for increased funding for senior services at the state capitol.
Investing in technology
Technology is rapidly changing the way AAAs and CBOs operate. From electronic health records to telemedicine, technology is making it easier for organizations to provide high-quality care to their clients. However, investing in technology can be expensive. AAAs and CBOs are using grant funding to invest in technology that improves the delivery of their services, such as online appointment scheduling systems, video conferencing tools, and mobile apps.
One of the ways organizations are using their grant money can be seen through the AARP Foundation’s Housing Assistance Program. This program provides grants to low-income older adults who are struggling to pay for basic housing expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, and utility bills. These grants are designed to help older adults remain in their homes and avoid homelessness.
In 2020, the AARP Foundation awarded a grant of $150,000 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to support its efforts to provide food assistance to older adults in the Los Angeles area who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant helped to fund the Food Bank’s Senior Food Program, which provides nutritious food to seniors at community centers and senior housing facilities throughout the region. The program also offers home delivery to seniors who are unable to leave their homes due to health or mobility issues. The AARP Foundation’s support helped the Food Bank provide more than 600,000 meals to older adults in need.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is one of the many organizations that have received support from AARP. The NCOA is a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the lives of older Americans by providing resources and support for caregivers, as well as helping older workers find employment and improve their financial literacy. AARP supports the NCOA through its Foundation, which provides grants to organizations that serve older adults. The NCOA has received funding from AARP’s Foundation in the past to support projects such as its Benefits Enrollment Center program, which helps older adults access the benefits they are entitled to, and its Aging Mastery Program, which provides education and resources to help older adults age well.
The Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA) is another organization utilizing grant money in innovative ways. The JFNA has established the Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care, which is funded in part by grant money. The center provides grants to local organizations that serve Holocaust survivors, with the goal of improving their access to healthcare, social services, and other forms of support.
One example of a program funded by JFNA’s grants is the Holocaust Survivor Support Program, run by the Jewish Family Service of San Diego. This program provides a range of services to Holocaust survivors, including case management, counseling, and assistance with accessing benefits such as Medicaid and food assistance. The program also offers social activities and events to help Holocaust survivors connect with each other and combat social isolation.
In conclusion, grant funding is a vital resource for many AAAs and CBOs. By using grant funding creatively, these organizations are able to develop new programs and services, collaborate with other organizations, conduct research, advocate for policy change, and invest in technology ranging from telehealth technology to wearable technology and much more. With these innovative approaches, AAAs and CBOs can improve the quality of care for older adults, help them maintain their independence, and improve their overall quality of life.
Blooming Health has helped many community partners such as Project FIND obtain grants from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), the Jarvie Commonweal Fund, and also provided supporting letters for RFP proposals to their Area Agencies for Aging (AAAs). We have also helped our partners collect data to report back to their funders and achieve project deliverables. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to us via team@gobloominghealth.com or submit the contact us form on our website.