Grant Opportunity: Connected Communities for Healthy Aging

Posted on August 22, 2024 by Gina DiMaggio

The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation (LAMF) has re-opened the opportunity to apply for our Connected Communities for Healthy Aging grant.

Additional funding has become available, allowing the Foundation to select up to three new pilot projects rather than the two initially planned.

The deadline for applications has been extended to September 24 to allow member organizations additional time to develop their project concepts and complete the application. LAMF will award grants of $600,000 to LeadingAge Minnesota provider members to lead Connected Communities pilots in rural Minnesota.

The overall aim of a Connected Community pilot is to create a collaborative and cross-sector system of care and support services that meets the physical, emotional, and social needs of seniors. The grant period is from November 2024 through May 2027.

Applications are due by September 24, 2024 at 5pm via LAMF’s online grant system.

Eligibility

Applicants must be provider members of LeadingAge Minnesota. As designated by the grant funder, this RFP is only open to rural communities outside of the seven-county* Twin Cities metropolitan area regardless of population.  (*Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington)

Grant Program Summary

The Connected Communities grant project involves creating local coalitions to make a radical shift in how people age—by improving their physical, mental, and social health. There are pilot sites currently in the Alexandria area through Knute Nelson and the Perham region through Perham Health.

While the details are informed by the unique needs of each community, pilot sites commit to developing a deep understanding of their community and to undertake the following in their work:

• Community planning resulting in an easy to navigate network of resources and services.
• Care coordination across primary, acute, long-term care, preventive and community-based care and services.
• Improving quality of care through direct-care workforce initiatives, caregiving support, and volunteer opportunities.
• Social engagement helping seniors reduce isolation, engage in activities, and experience a fulfilled, purposeful life.

Selection Factors

Applications will be evaluated by an Independent Review Panel of professionals with expertise in aging services, health care, and community organizing. Reviewers will be looking for applicants with an entrepreneurial culture and an identified project lead with a population health-focus. The grant applicant will be asked to:

• Illustrate their community’s readiness to create a new ecosystem for aging, including healthcare system partnerships as well as social care providers.
• Demonstrate their organization’s ability and experience as a community leader.
• Describe their organization’s commitment to integrating care across traditional boundaries.
• Tell reviewers about key project team leaders and their experience in managing systems change as well as engaging community partners in transformation.

Important Dates and Information

• Connected Communities RFP.
• Additional resources to learn about Connected Communities can be found here.
• September 24, 2024: Applications must be submitted by 5pm via LAMF’s online grant system.
• October 8-9: Virtual interviews.
• Early November: Funding decisions announced.
• Preview application questions here.