Best Aging Grants in Maine

Rural Health Transformation Program

Strengthening Rural Health Care Across Maine

Maine’s Rural Health Transformation Program is a five-year federal grant program designed to improve health outcomes, expand patient access to care, strengthen the health care workforce, advance innovation, and support sustainable rural health systems.

Supported by an initial $190 million (Year 1) federal investment, the Program will help Maine’s rural communities, providers, and partners implement solutions that improve care today while building a stronger health system for the future.

Maine’s Five Strategic Initiatives

• Population Health

• Workforce

• Technology & Innovation

• Access

• Sustainable Rural Health Ecosystems

Learn more on the Maine RHTP website.

Technology & Innovation

Summary: Modernize rural health care delivery through technology that improves access, coordination, and efficiency. This initiative supports telehealth, health information exchange, digital health tools, electronic medical record modernization, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Maine RHTP Technology and Innovation Strategies

A statewide initiative facilitated by MCD Global Health to bring digital health, augmented intelligence, and modern infrastructure to the rural communities that make Maine, Maine.

MCD Global Health is leading the Innovation and Technology pillar—bringing tested digital health tools, augmented intelligence (AI), and electronic health record modernization to clinicians, schools, skilled nursing facilities, and the people they serve.

Three Strategies One Goal

• Digital Health Projects
• Rural Health AI Hub
• EMR Modernization

Each initiative addresses a specific gap in rural Maine's healthcare ecosystem. From the technology that connects providers to patients to the data systems that keep records moving with people across settings of care.

Digital Health Projects

MCD Global Health (MCD) was selected as a subawardee to support the implementation of Maine’s technology and innovation initiatives in close collaboration with Maine DHHS and statewide partners. This includes supporting the implementation of a variety of digital health solutions and modalities, including telehealth, remote-patient monitoring, provider-to-provider consultations, and digital therapeutics deployed across partner sites, with a focus on reducing distance as a barrier to specialty care, behavioral health, and chronic disease management.

Digital Health Projects: Nursing Home Telehealth Program - Specialty Telehealth Service Provider

Telehealth Expansion: Bringing Care Directly to Patients

Project Details

The Maine Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is expanding access to geriatric specialty care and geriatric psychiatry services through a statewide telehealth initiative serving residents of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and long-term care settings. This telehealth model connects residents and care teams with specialty providers to address workforce shortages and limited access to geriatric expertise in rural communities, helping improve access to care and reduce avoidable emergency department visits and hospital transfers.

Who We're Serving

This project is intended to support:

• Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs),
• Long-term care facilities,
• Rural healthcare organizations serving older adults, and
• Residents requiring geriatric specialty care or geriatric psychiatry services.

The project ultimately benefits older adults living in rural Maine who may face barriers to specialty care due to workforce shortages, geographic distance, transportation challenges, and limited access to geriatric specialists. Emphasis is placed on individuals with chronic conditions, behavioral health needs, medication-management challenges, and other complex care needs that benefit from timely specialty consultation.

Objective

Provide scalable tele-geriatric and geriatric psychiatry consultation services that expand access to specialty expertise for residents of rural nursing facilities, improve clinical decision-making, strengthen care coordination and continuity of care, improve management of chronic medical and behavioral health conditions, and reduce avoidable emergency department utilization and hospital transfers.

Funding Type: Partner Service Agreement (PSA)

Rural Health Transformation Program

Strengthening Rural Health Care Across Maine

Maine’s Rural Health Transformation Program is a five-year federal grant program designed to improve health outcomes, expand patient access to care, strengthen the health care workforce, advance innovation, and support sustainable rural health systems.

Supported by an initial $190 million (Year 1) federal investment, the Program will help Maine’s rural communities, providers, and partners implement solutions that improve care today while building a stronger health system for the future.

Maine’s Five Strategic Initiatives

• Population Health

• Workforce

• Technology & Innovation

• Access

• Sustainable Rural Health Ecosystems

Learn more on the Maine RHTP website.

Technology & Innovation

Summary: Modernize rural health care delivery through technology that improves access, coordination, and efficiency. This initiative supports telehealth, health information exchange, digital health tools, electronic medical record modernization, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Maine RHTP Technology and Innovation Strategies

A statewide initiative facilitated by MCD Global Health to bring digital health, augmented intelligence, and modern infrastructure to the rural communities that make Maine, Maine.

MCD Global Health is leading the Innovation and Technology pillar—bringing tested digital health tools, augmented intelligence (AI), and electronic health record modernization to clinicians, schools, skilled nursing facilities, and the people they serve.

Three Strategies One Goal

• Digital Health Projects
• Rural Health AI Hub
• EMR Modernization

Each initiative addresses a specific gap in rural Maine's healthcare ecosystem. From the technology that connects providers to patients to the data systems that keep records moving with people across settings of care.

Digital Health Projects

MCD Global Health (MCD) was selected as a subawardee to support the implementation of Maine’s technology and innovation initiatives in close collaboration with Maine DHHS and statewide partners. This includes supporting the implementation of a variety of digital health solutions and modalities, including telehealth, remote-patient monitoring, provider-to-provider consultations, and digital therapeutics deployed across partner sites, with a focus on reducing distance as a barrier to specialty care, behavioral health, and chronic disease management.

Digital Health Projects: Nursing Home Telehealth Program - Nursing Facilities

Telehealth Expansion: Bringing Care Directly to Patients

Project Details

The Maine Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is expanding access to geriatric specialty care and geriatric psychiatry services through a statewide telehealth initiative serving residents of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and long-term care settings. This telehealth model connects residents and care teams with specialty providers to address workforce shortages and limited access to geriatric expertise in rural communities, helping improve access to care and reduce avoidable emergency department visits and hospital transfers.

Who We're Serving

This project is intended to support:

• Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs),
• Long-term care facilities,
• Rural healthcare organizations serving older adults, and
• Residents requiring geriatric specialty care or geriatric psychiatry services.

The project ultimately benefits older adults living in rural Maine who may face barriers to specialty care due to workforce shortages, geographic distance, transportation challenges, and limited access to geriatric specialists. Emphasis is placed on individuals with chronic conditions, behavioral health needs, medication-management challenges, and other complex care needs that benefit from timely specialty consultation.

Objective

Enable participating nursing facilities to adopt standardized telehealth workflows that expand timely access to geriatric specialty and geriatric psychiatry services, strengthen care coordination and continuity of care, improve management of chronic conditions, behavioral health needs, and medication-related issues, reduce avoidable emergency department visits and hospital transfers, support aging in place through access to specialty expertise, and enable residents to receive appropriate specialty care within their local facility whenever possible.

Preference may be given to facilities serving rural, underserved, uninsured, and/or MaineCare populations.

Nonprofit organizations focused on aging and equity in Maine can receive multi-year general operating support for programs advancing social and racial justice for older people. Grants from Point32Health Foundation help aging and senior service organizations cover core operations, staff wellness, leadership development, and capacity building as they address systemic inequities and social determinants of health.

Nonprofit organizations in Maine that support low-income or underprivileged residents with basic needs like housing, hunger, and crisis assistance may be eligible for the Direct Services Grant Program, with awards up to US $30,000. The John T Gorman Foundation funds existing programs and general operating support, including services that help seniors age in place.

Nonprofits serving seniors and other vulnerable groups in Maine and Northern New England can seek support for senior services, basic needs, health, arts access, education, and land conservation projects. With a mission to strengthen communities, Adelard And Valeda Roy Foundation provides grants of US $2,500 - US $10,000, prioritizing underserved rural and urban areas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Maine and other Vermont Mutual Insurance Group territories can receive funding to strengthen community services and quality of life. Vermont Mutual Insurance Group supports programs that promote education, foster youth, build community, and address basic needs such as housing, homelessness, hunger, and senior services, which may benefit organizations serving aging populations.

Maine health and social service organizations can apply for Maine Health Access Foundation’s Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants, awarding up to US $50,000 to improve health and access to care. Projects should advance health equity for older adults and other priority groups in Maine, including rural health, behavioral health, and maternal and child health.

Grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Maine support senior services, health and welfare, homeless shelters, food security, dental health, and related human services, with awards of US $1,000 - US $7,500. Grants from Agnes M. Lindsay Trust help aging-focused organizations fund capital projects, equipment, camperships, and operating needs for vulnerable populations.

Local governments in Maine can seek funding for operating costs, equipment, and program materials that benefit low- and moderate-income residents, including seniors. Maine Department of Economic and Community Development supports senior services, homeless services, health care, recreation, education, and public safety programs with grants up to US $50,000 through the CDBG Public Service Grant Program.

Nonprofit research institutions conducting applied studies on adults 60+ can seek support for aging-related research with national U.S. or Illinois relevance. Grants from RRF Foundation for Aging help Maine senior-service and gerontology organizations fund interventional trials, translational studies, and health services or policy research that produce practical guidance for providers, advocates, and policymakers.

Health care leaders focused on aging and senior services in Maine can receive scholarships covering US $13,995 in fees to join the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship, implementing the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework. The John A Hartford Foundation supports fellows leading change in hospital and health system care for older adults.

Maine research institutions and universities focused on senior services and gerontology can access funding through US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health to establish Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers. These center grants support geriatrics research and research education that improve independence and functioning for older adults, with national eligibility including Maine-based programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Maine and nationwide can seek project funding for Japanese American and broader Asian American communities, with priority for senior health and services, history, arts and culture, and youth programs. Focused on these areas, JA Community Foundation invites applications, offering US $2,500 - US $50,000 for project-based work, not ongoing operations.

Nonprofits, government entities, and universities working to make aging more affordable for marginalized older adults can seek systems-change funding, including in Maine. Next50 Foundation supports senior services and aging-focused innovations that end ageism, advance digital equity, or support aging in place, prioritizing low-income and historically underserved older adults through collaborative, innovative, multi-year initiatives.

Maine senior services and aging-focused 501(c)(3) public charities can access funding through Friends Foundation for the Aging to run innovative, program-based services for older adults. Organizations serving underserved seniors, supporting family caregivers, fostering intergenerational interaction, or advancing leadership in aging services may be especially competitive, including Quaker and values-aligned groups.

Maine organizations serving LGBTQ+ older adults can access funding through Leonard Litz Foundation to strengthen senior services and aging supports. Grants back programs that reduce isolation, improve quality of life, and expand affirming resources such as social connection, healthcare navigation, housing support, and case management for LGBTQ+ elders across the Eastern U.S.

With a mission to support health and human services, Albert G and Olive H Schlink Foundation provides Maine senior services and aging organizations with funding for disability care, mental health, hospital and home health care, hospice, and residential nursing services. U.S.-based nonprofits, especially those in Ohio, may be eligible to apply.

About The John A. Hartford Foundation

The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care.

Since 1982, The John A. Hartford Foundation has awarded more than $758 million in grants to enhance the health and well-being of older people.

JAHF New Partners Program Call for Proposals:

National Initiatives Advancing Improvements in Care for Older Adults

The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) is entering a new chapter that builds on its work to improve care for older adults and support family caregivers while bringing new organizations, leaders and ideas into its community of grantees and partners.

Through this funding opportunity, JAHF is seeking proposals from organizations that have not previously received a major grant from the foundation.

Proposed initiatives must have a national or multi-site scope and align with at least one of the foundation's three priority areas:

• Age-Friendly Health Systems
• Family Caregiving
• Serious Illness and End-of-Life Care

Nonprofit organizations advancing advocacy to improve life for adults 60+ can seek funding for regional or national policy-change projects, including work benefiting Maine seniors. Retirement Research Foundation supports efforts focused on systemic issues like economic security, health care, and housing across the U.S. or within Illinois, with awards from US $10,000 - US $160,000.

Maine nonprofits serving older adults with health, wellness, or dementia-related programs can access funding through the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement to support specific projects and program needs. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on senior services, aging, stroke, dementia, or reducing social isolation may be eligible for one-year grants, with limited multi-year support considered.

This funding opportunity from the US HHS Administration for Community Living aims to support innovative community-based nutrition models that enhance health outcomes for older adults participating in Senior Nutrition Programs. Projects should focus on improving access to healthy foods, promoting healthy aging, and developing sustainable practices. By fostering community partnerships, the initiative seeks to replicate successful strategies across the Aging Network, ultimately improving the quality of life for seniors nationwide.

The Huntington Common Charitable Fund, managed by Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation, supports programs improving the lives of older adults in York County, Maine. Established from the sale of the Huntington Common Retirement Living Community in 2006, it focuses on nutrition, dementia care, and therapeutic access. The fund proudly backs various nonprofits, including Southern Maine Agency on Aging and Good Shepherd Food Bank, ensuring essential services for the elderly are maintained and enhanced.

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.

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.

This funding opportunity aims to enhance the participation of older adults in the Senior Nutrition Program by focusing on preventative health initiatives. The project seeks to build capacity through statewide efforts, develop shared resources for program sustainability, and foster collaboration among senior nutrition programs and key organizations. By achieving these goals, the initiative will improve health outcomes and strengthen community ties for older adults.

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 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.