Best Grants for Seniors in Alaska

Nonprofits and other organizations running community, health, or senior service programs in Alaska can apply for AmeriCorps State and National funding to engage AmeriCorps members in service. Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development administers this Serve Alaska opportunity, which can support evidence-based projects benefiting older adults alongside broader community needs.

Nonprofit organizations and eligible public bodies in Alaska can receive funding to provide transportation services for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries. Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities supports human service transportation where regular public transit is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate, using federal Section 5310 and Trust funds, with awards from US $448,315 - US $2,883,019.

Alaska senior-serving housing organizations can access funding to modify homes for accessibility and life-safety needs through the Senior Access Program in Alaska. Alaska Housing Finance Corporation selects grantees to administer and provide grants to qualifying senior households, with awards up to US $820,000 to improve safe, affordable housing for older adults.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Alaska serving seniors through human services, supportive housing, health, or community programs can apply for Foster Foundation’s regional grants. Funding supports senior services within broader priorities like basic needs, medical care, education, and community engagement across the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska.

Alaska organizations serving LGBTQ+ seniors can access funding through Leonard Litz Foundation to strengthen services and support systems for older adults. Grants back programs that reduce isolation, improve quality of life, and expand access to affirming resources, including social connection, healthcare navigation, housing support, and community-based senior services across the Eastern U.S. region.

Nonprofit research organizations conducting applied studies on adults 60+ can seek funding for aging and caregiver-focused research with national relevance or impact in Illinois. Grants from Retirement Research Foundation help support interventional trials, translational studies, and health services or policy research; Alaska senior-service and gerontology nonprofits with eligible research arms may be competitive.

Nonprofit organizations advancing advocacy projects for adults 60+ that influence policy in the U.S., including Alaska, can seek support for systemic, aging-focused initiatives. Retirement Research Foundation supports efforts with regional or national impact on seniors’ economic security, health care, housing, and related issues, excluding lobbying for or against specific legislation. Awards range from US $10,000 - US $160,000.

Health care leaders focused on senior services and aging can access scholarship support to join the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship, implementing the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework. The John A Hartford Foundation covers US $13,995 in program fees for fellows from U.S. hospitals and health systems, including those serving seniors in Alaska.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting Japanese American and broader Asian American communities can apply for project grants ranging from US $2,500 - US $50,000, including in Alaska. Focused on senior health and services, history, arts and culture, and youth, JA Community Foundation invites proposals for time-limited projects rather than ongoing operating costs.

Alaska senior services and aging-focused 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement to support projects that improve seniors’ health, engagement, and quality of life. Grants may fund programs like adult day care, dementia support, home health and wellness, nutrition, transportation, or geriatric research benefiting older adults.

Nonprofits, government entities, and universities working to make aging more affordable for marginalized older adults can seek systems-change funding, including organizations serving seniors in Alaska. Next50 Foundation supports innovative, partnership-based initiatives that advance economic well-being for older adults through ending ageism, advancing digital equity, or supporting aging in place, with some multi-year support possible.

Nonprofit health and social service organizations supporting seniors and related patient care can seek funding for programs such as senior services, aging, mental health, addiction, hospital and home health care, hospice, and residential care. With a mission to strengthen community health, Albert G And Olive H Schlink Foundation primarily supports U.S. organizations, giving special consideration to Ohio-based charities.

Alaska universities, research hospitals, and similar institutions conducting senior-focused aging research can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to establish Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers. These P30 centers support geriatric research and research education that improve independence for older adults, and this opportunity will be open nationwide, including Alaska, once the NOFO is released.

Alaska senior services organizations addressing the needs of older adults can access funding through Friends Foundation for the Aging for innovative, program-based work rather than capital projects. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) public charities, with priority for underserved populations, small grassroots groups, caregiver support, intergenerational programs, and aging services leadership development.

Graduate students pursuing aging or gerontology research in Alaska and other U.S. locations can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to complete their doctoral dissertations and prepare for aging-focused postdoctoral positions. Focused on aging research, this two-phase Transition to Aging Research Award supports late-stage predoctoral training and helps build future senior-focused investigators.

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund offers Scholarships for Conferences and Professional Development to support health-related events. These scholarships, up to $2,500 per person and $5,000 per organization, are available for current or past grantees and partners. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a requirement to submit at least four weeks before the event. Priority is given to organizations that haven't received funding in the previous year, ensuring equitable access to professional development opportunities.

With a mission to support healthy aging, Sephardic Home for the Aged Foundation provides Alaska senior services organizations with funding for end-of-life care and preventing elder neglect. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscally sponsored projects operating at least two years, offering services, education, outreach, or advocacy for older adults.

Qualified 501(c)(3) organizations providing senior services, vision care, children’s programs, environmental conservation, historic preservation, or drunk driving prevention can seek project funding, primarily for work in Utah. The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation offers US $5,000 - US $100,000 grants for impactful programs, and may also support qualifying efforts beyond the region.

The Dementia Care and Brain Degenerative Diseases Grant, offered by the Sephardic Home For The Aged Foundation, aims to support innovative projects enhancing care and quality of life for older adults affected by dementia. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)3 nonprofits in operation for at least two years. The Foundation prioritizes proposals focusing on dementia care, promoting collaboration and resource access for aging individuals. Interested applicants should submit a Letter of Inquiry through the online application system.

Harry Kramer Memorial Fund provides Alaska senior service and health organizations with funding to care for the sick or aged. U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including those serving seniors or supported by religious institutions, can apply for US $10,000 - US $25,000 to support eligible programs, which may benefit aging populations in Alaska.

The Robert J. Keown Trust, established in 1934, provides financial assistance to needy Christians through grants to charitable organizations. Managed by Wells Fargo Bank N.A., the trust focuses on supporting organizations that benefit residents of Los Angeles County. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt. Preference is given to requests aiding needy Christians and elderly women. The trust awards an average of four grants per year, fostering community support and outreach.

The NIA Expanding Research in AD/ADRD Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program aims to enhance the research workforce by providing intensive research experiences for recent graduates. This initiative supports early-stage investigators in Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias, addressing a critical shortage of researchers in the field. Participants engage in independent research, mentorship, and professional development, equipping them with skills necessary for advanced degrees and research careers in aging and dementia. The program fosters innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration essential for advancing AD/ADRD research.

The McKnight Clinical Translational Research Scholarship supports young investigators focusing on cognitive aging and age-related memory loss. Funded by the McKnight Brain Research Foundation, this scholarship offers $65,000 annually for two years, plus an education stipend. Eligible applicants should have completed their PhD or residency within the last five years and conduct their research in accredited U.S. institutions. The award emphasizes rigorous training and aims to foster careers in human cognitive aging research.

The JTMF Foundation Grant focuses on improving the lives of individuals in need, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. By partnering with organizations addressing immediate needs and long-term challenges, the foundation supports children, older adults, veterans, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Guided by Catholic values, JTMF aims to empower communities while seeking innovative solutions to societal issues. Organizations that align with these focus areas are encouraged to connect, fostering a collaborative effort towards meaningful impact.

The McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards aim to support innovative research in cognitive aging and memory loss, offering two 3-year grants of $750,000 each. Targeted at early-career investigators, the program encourages high-risk, high-gain proposals that explore clinical translational research and the biological mechanisms of cognitive aging. By fostering emerging scientific leaders, the initiative seeks to advance transformative discoveries in this critical area of aging research, enhancing understanding and treatment of age-related cognitive decline.

The Sagol Network GerOmic Award for Junior Faculty supports early career investigators in aging research, focusing on -omics studies related to biological aging and age-related diseases. Research areas include genomics, proteomics, and interventions targeting aging. Eligible applicants are independent researchers at U.S. not-for-profit institutions, with 10 years or fewer since their postdoctoral training. The award may cover overhead costs, promoting innovative research in the vital field of gerontology.

The AARP Community Challenge Grant supports innovative projects that enhance community livability for people aged 50 and older. Funded by the AARP Foundation, these demonstration grants range from $10,000 to $25,000 and aim to improve pedestrian safety, expand broadband access, and reconnect divided communities. Since 2017, AARP has awarded over $20 million in grants, fostering immediate improvements and long-term progress across the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.