Eldercare in Ohio and Michigan

The Greater Toledo Community Foundation is a public charitable organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life for individuals and families in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Established in 1973, the Foundation manages various funds, including Field of Interest Funds, which enable donors to support specific causes like the environment, youth programs, and the arts. Grants from these funds are not restricted to particular nonprofits but rather support issues important to the original donor in perpetuity. The Eldercare Field of Interest Funds, specifically, support grantmaking through endowed funds such as the Fondessy Family Fund, Crider Memorial Fund, and Fund for the Elderly, aligning with the Foundation's broader mission to enhance community well-being. This grant program focuses on supporting senior citizens, specifically those aged 60 and above, with a primary goal of enabling this demographic to live as independently as possible. The Foundation seeks applications for programs that directly contribute to this objective, emphasizing the importance of independent living for the aging population within its service area. Organizations applying for these funds should demonstrate a proven history of providing effective services to the aging community, ensuring that the grants are utilized by experienced and impactful entities. The Eldercare Field of Interest Funds grant program offers grants of up to $25,000. These funds are limited and are not intended to be an annual source of support, indicating a strategic approach to distribute resources to a variety of initiatives over time rather than fostering dependency. The eligibility criteria are stringent, requiring proposals from nonprofit, charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Applicant organizations must be based in and serve residents of northwest Ohio or southeast Michigan. Governmental agencies are explicitly excluded from eligibility, ensuring that the grants are directed towards community-based, non-governmental efforts. In terms of expected outcomes and measurable results, the Foundation aims for programs that successfully promote the independence of senior citizens. While specific metrics are not detailed, the emphasis on a "demonstrated track record of providing services for the aging" suggests an expectation of tangible positive impacts on the lives of older adults. The Foundation's strategic priority through these Field of Interest Funds is to honor donor intent while addressing critical community needs, in this case, the well-being and independence of the elderly. This approach reflects a theory of change where targeted funding for experienced organizations leads to improved quality of life and sustained independence for a vulnerable population segment.