Best Grants for Seniors in Louisiana

Louisiana senior services and community health nonprofits can seek funding for programs that improve emotional wellbeing, nutrition, and overall healthy living. Focused on community health and disaster relief, Humana Foundation invites tax-exempt organizations, including governmental and faith-based groups, to support seniors through food security, health education, suicide prevention, substance use services, and disaster preparedness.

With a mission to support health and senior care, Albert G And Olive H Schlink Foundation provides Louisiana senior services and aging-focused organizations with funding for patient care, residential care, hospice, and related services. Nonprofits across the U.S., especially those in Ohio, may be eligible for these grants supporting seniors’ health and quality of life.

Louisiana organizations serving LGBTQ+ seniors can access funding through the Leonard Litz Foundation’s SilverConnect Program to strengthen services and support systems for older adults. Grants support social connection initiatives, healthcare navigation, housing support, case management, and community gatherings for LGBTQ+ elders within the foundation’s regional footprint across the Eastern U.S.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Louisiana and nationwide can seek project funding for Japanese American senior health and services, history, arts and culture, and youth programs through the JA Community Foundation, with awards ranging from US $2,500 - US $50,000. Focused on community benefit, the funder invites proposals that serve Japanese American and broader Asian American communities.

Louisiana senior services organizations can access funding through Friends Foundation for the Aging to run innovative, program-based support for older adults and their caregivers. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) public charities, with priority for underserved populations, small grassroots groups, and initiatives that improve healthy aging, coordination of care, and intergenerational engagement.

Louisiana senior-services and gerontology research institutions can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to build centers of excellence in geriatrics research and research education. This program supports focused aging studies that improve independence for older adults and offers opportunities to develop or strengthen coordinated aging-research programs serving seniors, including those in Louisiana.

Nonprofits, government entities, and universities serving low- and moderate-income older adults can seek funding for innovative, systems-level initiatives that make aging more affordable, including in Louisiana. Grants from Next50 Foundation support work such as ending ageism, advancing digital equity, and helping seniors age in place, with an emphasis on marginalized and underserved populations.

Nonprofit research institutions conducting applied studies on adults age 60+ can seek support for aging and caregiver-focused research with national impact or relevance to Illinois. Grants from Retirement Research Foundation help organizations across the U.S., including Louisiana, pursue interventional trials, translational studies, and health services or policy research that generate practical guidance for the aging network.

Nonprofit organizations advancing advocacy projects for adults 60+ can seek funding to drive policy change affecting seniors’ economic security, health care, housing, and related issues across the U.S. or Illinois. Retirement Research Foundation offers US $10,000 - US $160,000 for strategic, partnership-based efforts that address systemic problems without using grant funds for lobbying.

Health care leaders focused on senior services and age-friendly care in Louisiana can receive scholarships to join the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship, implementing the 4Ms Framework in their organizations. The John A Hartford Foundation covers US $13,995 in program fees for selected Age-Friendly Fellows from U.S. hospitals and health systems.

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

Louisiana senior services and aging-focused 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement to support projects that help older adults stay healthy, active, and engaged. Eligible programs may address dementia, stroke, home health, adult daycare, nutrition, transportation, wellness screenings, or other geriatric life improvement needs, including limited research initiatives.

The Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships, offered by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, provides a $7,500 annual scholarship for doctoral students completing coursework at accredited institutions. Applicants may receive up to $15,000 in pre-candidacy scholarships and a total of $45,000 throughout their doctoral program. The Foundation encourages research in areas such as acute care, cardiology, pulmonary health, and PT education, fostering a new generation of skilled researchers in physical therapy.

The AARP Community Challenge Grant: Capacity-Building Microgrant offers $2,500 to support projects that enhance community livability for residents aged 50 and older. Initiated in 2017, it has funded over 1,700 projects nationwide, focusing on immediate improvements and long-term progress. Eligible organizations include nonprofits and government entities, aiming to implement innovative programs in areas like disaster preparedness, walkability, and home modifications. This initiative fosters inclusive communities and empowers older adults.

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 Piñon Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions focused on enhancing the education, health, and well-being of children and the elderly. Although it primarily funds initiatives in West Texas, the Dallas Fort Worth area, and Oklahoma City, it is open to proposals from other regions that can positively impact community growth. The foundation believes in the transformative power of education and health to foster community success and development.

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 Aging Services Leadership Fellowship, offered by the United Negro College Fund, is a one-year non-clinical program for recent master's graduates or mid-career professionals with at least five years of experience. The program emphasizes cohort learning, community building, and skill development in aging services. Participants engage in specialized training, networking events, and mentorship opportunities designed to foster leadership and cultural humility, ultimately preparing them to lead in the aging services sector.

The Combating Social Isolation of Older Adults Grant, provided by the Sephardic Home for the Aged Foundation, aims to combat elder abuse and neglect exacerbated by social isolation. This initiative recognizes that isolation can lead to severe mental and physical health issues among older adults. It promotes trauma-informed care and mental health services to help these individuals reconnect socially. Additionally, the Foundation supports intergenerational programming as a vital strategy to foster community connections and reduce isolation among seniors.

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.

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.

Early-career clinical and translational researchers conducting human studies on cognitive aging and age-related memory loss in U.S. institutions can receive up to US $150,000 for salary and direct research costs. Grants from the American Academy of Neurology Institute may benefit Louisiana investigators focused on aging, gerontology, and senior cognitive health.

With a mission to support healthy aging, Sephardic Home for the Aged Foundation provides Louisiana senior services organizations with funding for end-of-life care and preventing elder neglect. Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating at least two years can propose innovative services, education, outreach, or advocacy projects that improve older adults’ quality of life and dignity.

Universities, research institutions, and similar organizations in Louisiana and other U.S. locations can access funding to run intensive postbaccalaureate research education programs in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports one-to-two-year mentored research experiences that prepare recent graduates for advanced study and research careers in aging and dementia, with awards up to US $400,000.

Nonprofit and community organizations working on aging or senior health in Louisiana can seek up to US $2,500 per person from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund for conference, workshop, and training costs. With a mission to improve health, the Health Fund provides its current or past grantees and key partners with professional development scholarships covering registration, travel, lodging, and incidentals.