Senior Living Initiative Grant

The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County administers the Senior Living Initiative to improve the quality of life for seniors in St. Joseph County, Indiana. The Foundation’s mission through this initiative is to ensure that older residents remain healthy, safe, independent, and actively engaged in their communities. The initiative emphasizes collaboration with other organizations committed to serving seniors and aims to make the county a model for meeting the evolving needs of older citizens. The Senior Living Initiative provides funding for programs and services related to senior housing, broadly defined, and other projects that address essential needs, promote health and quality of care, increase community engagement, and expand access to resources. Grants focus especially on seniors who are most in need of assistance, particularly vulnerable or low-income populations. Funding priorities include aging in place, home and community-based services, professional development and training for those working with seniors, projects serving high-need vulnerable seniors, and efforts to improve the quality of care. A key feature of this program is the matching requirement, introduced in 2025. Applicants may request up to half of their total project budget, unless otherwise determined by the committee, and must demonstrate the capacity to raise the remaining required funds. Organizations have up to one year after an award to secure these matching funds, which must come from cash gifts. Future pledges and in-kind contributions are not acceptable forms of match. The Foundation has incorporated this requirement as a way to leverage resources and encourage stronger community investment, recognizing that challenge grants are effective tools for stimulating greater donor engagement. Eligibility is restricted to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public agencies of state, county, or local government, and not-for-profit educational institutions that are based in and serve St. Joseph County, Indiana. The initiative does not fund annual appeals, general membership contributions, individuals, or underwriting for special events. Proposals are reviewed with specific evaluation criteria in mind, including demonstration of community need, originality and strength of concept, efficient use of resources, collaboration, innovative solutions to current and projected needs, and the organization’s capacity to successfully implement the project. The application process requires that all submissions be made through the Foundation’s online system. Applications open six weeks prior to each deadline, which fall on May 1 and November 1 each year. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, applications are due the next business day at 9:00 a.m. Required attachments include a detailed project budget, a current board roster with officers identified, an income statement or profit and loss statement from the most recent fiscal year, a balance sheet or statement of financial position, and the IRS determination letter if not already on file. Incomplete applications may be declined without review. Site visits may be requested at the discretion of the Grants Committee. Applications are reviewed by the Senior Living Grants Committee, which submits recommendations to the Community Foundation’s board of directors for final approval. Decisions are typically made at the June and December board meetings, immediately following the respective application deadlines. Applicants are notified of their status soon thereafter, and public announcements are made by the Foundation. Funded projects are subject to evaluation to ensure compliance with grant conditions and achievement of stated objectives. Strong evaluations improve future funding prospects, while failure to deliver on commitments may jeopardize future requests. The program is supported through the Senior Living Fund and the Robert P. & Clara I. Milton Fund. Organizations receiving funding are required to acknowledge the Foundation’s support in related communications. Guidance for recognition, as well as application tips and examples of previously funded projects, are made available through the Foundation’s website. Staff assistance is also available for organizations that need help with application procedures or required formats. Contact for the Foundation is available by phone at (574) 232-0041, and the main office is located at 305 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana, with mailing address P.O. Box 837, South Bend, IN 46624.