Broward’s three leading philanthropic organizations, in the second year of a groundbreaking collaboration, are offering grants of up to $100,000 each to build a greater safety net of services for Broward's seniors.

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The Community Foundation of Broward, Jewish Federation of Broward County and United Way of Broward County teamed up last year to award more than $700,000 in grants to pilot programs that counter social isolation and its effects on Broward’s fast-growing senior population.

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This year, the collaborative’s second round of grants will support more programs that foster Dignity in Aging for Broward seniors.

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“The 2020 grant opportunities will help create a safety net of essential services that enables Broward’s booming senior population to live life to the fullest,” said Linda B. Carter, President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward.

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The three organizations have issued a joint Request for Proposals, accepting applications for programs that demonstrate effective ways to counter social isolation of Broward seniors and result in a greater number of hard-to-reach older adults becoming more engaged and connected.  

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The collaboration seeks bold and innovative pilot projects impacting seniors in one of the following municipalities: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach and Tamarac.

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According to the RFP, projects must meet the following outcomes: increased/improved coordinated care, services and social connections of isolated seniors that foster independence, improved well-being, decreased depression, vitality, functioning and quality of life.  Projects may also remove barriers, such as transportation, for seniors to engage socially.

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Applications and proposals are being accepted through noon on April 1, 2020 at the Community Foundation of Broward, 901 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.  To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations providing services to Broward County residents.  Partnerships with government agencies and private sector entities are encouraged.  Individuals are not eligible.

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For more information about the Demonstration Projects for Elder Services grants, please contact Angelica Rosas, Community Foundation Strategic Grants Manager, at arosas@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.

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The United Way and Jewish Federation will support projects that impact seniors ages 65 and up, while the Community Foundation will focus on projects that impact seniors age 80 and above.  

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In 2018, the three organizations released a landmark study entitled, “The Silver Tsunami: Is Broward Ready?”  The study addressed holes in the safety net for Broward seniors, affordability issues resulting from limited finances, and perception issues of the larger community toward seniors.  It noted that Broward has Florida’s fastest growing population of people over 85.

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The collaboration in 2019 launched its combined effort to provide grants that support Dignity in Aging. The 2019 grants included:

• Memorial Foundation, Allies Program -- $100,000 to allow 100 new seniors to participate in activities and get one-on-one help with depression.
• Florida Health Networks, A Lifeline to the Community: Preventing Social Isolation -- $100,000 to help 100 seniors with depression management.
• Mt. Olive Development Corporation, Senior Connection -- $100,000 to provide 50 seniors with social engagement and in-home visits.
• Center for Hearing and Communication, Florida, Connect to Life through H.E.A.R. for Seniors -- $100,000 to address hearing needs of 150 new seniors to open up communication to alleviate isolation.
• Daniel Cantor Senior Center, Connected to Friends and Activities -- $80,422 to engage 50 new seniors at the Center to bring total participation to 350 in social activities.
• Dr. Stanley and Pearl Goodman Jewish Family Services, Active@Home program -- $75,140 to give 100 seniors in-home access to technology that connects them to family and interactive online activities.
• Easter Seals South Florida, Expanded and Enhanced Adult Day Care -- $61,225 to serve 80 older seniors in adult day care and provide respite for caregivers.
• South Florida Institute on Aging, Caregiver Assistance Program -- $50,000 to serve 125 new clients with support, referrals to resources and provide respite for caregivers.
• Slow Burn Theatre, Elder Arts -- $25,000 to provide musical performances at the Broward Center for 200 seniors ages 80+.
• Canine Assisted Therapies, Improving Lives of Isolated Seniors Utilizing Pet Therapy -- $15,000 to provide pet therapy for 100 isolated seniors.

For more information about the Demonstration Projects for Elder Services grants, please contact Angelica Rosas, Community Foundation Strategic Grants Manager, at arosas@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.