The "Aging to Thrive: Empowering Aging Through Community" grant opportunity is presented by Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation. These organizations are rooted in California’s North Coast region, with a mission to improve the lives of individuals and build stronger, more equitable communities. This grant is made possible through the generous support of the Senior Citizens Foundation Fund and the Andrew and Bertha Pon Memorial Fund, which are committed to the wellbeing and dignity of older adults.
This grant program is designed to support initiatives that enhance the independence, health, and overall quality of life of seniors residing in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Eligible initiatives may include social engagement programs, nutritional services, healthcare and wellness projects, transportation assistance, and services that increase accessibility to critical resources for aging populations. The funders aim to uplift elder community members through grassroots and community-based approaches that are responsive to local needs.
Organizations eligible for funding must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) entities, public benefit organizations, or groups working with qualified fiscal sponsors. Applications from a variety of organizational types are welcomed as long as they serve the eligible geographic areas and demonstrate the charitable nature of their project. Programs must have a clear charitable purpose, and fiscal sponsors must be formally confirmed, with a known relationship to the applying entity.
Applicants must provide detailed descriptions of their organization, the charitable nature of their proposed project, a full project timeline, a project budget, and information on future funding plans. Key narrative components include the request description, community engagement strategy, and impact goals. Organizations are required to estimate the number of individuals their program will serve and describe how they intend to measure success and maintain sustainability.
The grant offers awards up to $10,000. Applications are currently being accepted, and while a specific closing date is not provided, the program appears to follow an annual cycle based on the naming convention. Interested applicants should submit their materials through the Humboldt Area Foundation’s grant application portal. Contact for questions and technical assistance is available at grants@hafoundation.org. Potential applicants are encouraged to prepare and submit early, given the competitive nature and regional focus of the fund.