AARP Foundation Grants Program Launches With $2 Million in Funding to Help Vulnerable Older Americans Meet Everyday Needs

This year, RFPs will be issued for organizations that focus on hunger and recession recovery for adults 50 and older; hunger grant RFP available now

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP Foundation today announced a new grant making program that supports the organization's commitment to changing the lives of vulnerable older Americans by meeting their everyday needs — food, housing, income and personal connections.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070209/NYF043LOGO )

The AARP Foundation Grants Program will fund a diverse range of promising projects that help create long-term, sustainable solutions to the problems faced by low-income adults age 50 and older. These projects may range from basic education to interventions spearheaded by organizations that address the social and behavioral aspects of these problems for older Americans.  

"Hunger, housing, income and personal connections are basic needs that, particularly in these tough economic times, are often difficult for vulnerable older Americans to meet," said AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins. "This grant program will help build our knowledge base, conquer these solvable issues and ultimately help older people who are struggling live with hope, dignity and security."

The program focuses on four impact areas: hunger, housing, income and personal connections. In 2011, AARP Foundation will award approximately $2 million in multiple grants in two areas: hunger and income.

"The current economic uncertainty has left many older Americans concerned about making ends meet," said Phyllis L. Kim, AARP Foundation senior vice president, Office of Grants Administration. "AARP Foundation is already in communities across the country helping vulnerable Americans with direct services, but we believe strongly that we must also invest in long-term solutions. We look forward to working with innovative grantees who share our goals so that together, we can seed hope for older Americans who are struggling."

$1 Million: Hunger Innovation Grants Program
Nearly six million older Americans face the threat of hunger every day. AARP Foundation believes this is a solvable problem. To eligible organizations that focus on sustainable solutions that make a significant impact on community food security and sustainable food systems for those 50 and older, AARP Foundation will award hunger grants in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $300,000—depending on the scope and scale of the project—through a competitive RFP process that closes on Oct. 15, 2011. Awardees will be announced in December 2011.

The deadline for submission of a mandatory letter of inquiry is September 15, 2011.  The Hunger Innovation Grants Program RFP is available at www.aarp.org/hungergrants.  

$1 Million: Recession Recovery Grants Initiative
Every day, nearly 20 million low-income older individuals struggle to secure their most basic needs in life—such as food or shelter—with limited or no financial resources. The Foundation is working to reverse the downward spiral that many older Americans and their families face.

Later this month, AARP Foundation will release an RFP focused on low-income, working families over 50. Eligible organizations will identify and implement unique models for providing a continuum of services to help protect families from severe financial instability. Support services might include an upgrade in employment skills or increasing access to benefits that help obtain employment and increase financial stability. AARP Foundation will award grants through a competitive process. Grants will be between $50,000 and $200,000 each and will be administered over one to two years, depending on the project.

The RFP will be available at www.aarp.org/foundationgrants later this month. Awardees will be announced in December 2011.

For more information about the AARP Foundation Grants Program, visit www.aarp.org/foundationgrants.

AARP Foundation is AARP's affiliated charity.  The Foundation is dedicated to serving vulnerable people 50 and older by creating solutions that help them secure the essentials and achieve their best life. AARP Foundation focuses on: hunger, housing, income and isolation as key mission areas. The Foundation envisions: 'a country free of poverty where no older person feels vulnerable.'  Foundation programs are funded by grants, tax-deductible contributions and AARP.  For more information about AARP Foundation, please log on to www.aarp.org/foundation.

SOURCE AARP