Best Grants for Seniors in South Dakota

South Dakota senior-service 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing the needs of older adults can access funding through Friends Foundation for the Aging for innovative, program-based work. Organizations serving underserved seniors, supporting family caregivers, or advancing healthy aging and leadership in aging services may be eligible, especially if they reflect Quaker values or community-based, collaborative approaches.

Nonprofits, government entities, and universities improving economic well-being for marginalized older adults can seek systems-change funding that may benefit senior services in South Dakota and nationwide. Next50 Foundation supports innovative, partnership-based projects that make aging more affordable and advance priorities like ending ageism, digital equity, and aging in place for low- and moderate-income older adults.

South Dakota senior service nonprofits supporting LGBTQ+ older adults can access funding through the Leonard Litz Foundation’s SilverConnect Initiative to improve quality of life and reduce isolation. Grants back programs like social connection, healthcare navigation, housing support, and case management for LGBTQ+ elders within the foundation’s Eastern U.S. regional footprint.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with programs serving Japanese American seniors, youth, or related health, history, arts, and culture initiatives can apply for JA Community Foundation grants of US $2,500 - US $50,000. Focused on community-centered projects rather than ongoing operations, South Dakota senior service providers may be eligible if they serve Japanese American communities; fiscal sponsorships are allowed.

With a mission to support health and senior services, the Albert G And Olive H Schlink Foundation provides South Dakota organizations serving older adults with funding for patient care, gerontology, and related services. Nonprofits across the U.S., especially those in Ohio, may be eligible for support benefiting seniors and other vulnerable populations.

South Dakota universities, research institutions, and similar organizations focused on senior services and aging research can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to establish Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers. These P30 centers support geriatrics research and research education aimed at maintaining or restoring independence for older adults, with eligibility extending across the U.S. territories listed.

Nonprofit research institutions conducting applied studies to improve the well-being of adults age 60+ can seek support for interventional, translational, or health services and policy research with national U.S. or Illinois relevance. Grants from RRF Foundation for Aging may benefit South Dakota organizations focused on senior services, aging, and caregiver support with strong dissemination plans.

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 for adults age 60 and older, including those serving South Dakota, can seek funding for regional or national policy-change projects in the U.S. Grants from Retirement Research Foundation support efforts to improve economic security, health care, housing, and related systems for older Americans, with awards ranging from US $10,000 - US $160,000.

South Dakota senior services and aging-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement to support specific projects for older adults. Grants may back programs addressing dementia, stroke, adult day care, home health, screenings, nutrition, mobility, social engagement, or geriatric research that improves seniors’ quality of life.

The National Center for Law and Elder Rights, funded by the US HHS: Administration for Community Living, aims to enhance legal assistance for older individuals as mandated by the Older Americans Act. This initiative will support local providers through training, legal advice, and system design to ensure effective delivery of services. Up to four cooperative agreements will be awarded to organizations that collaborate in this vital legal assistance effort.

Health care leaders focused on senior services and aging care in South Dakota and nationwide can receive scholarships to join the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship, implementing the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms framework. The John A Hartford Foundation covers the US $13,995 program fee for selected Age-Friendly Fellows; travel and other expenses are excluded.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is funding a three-year cooperative agreement to enhance the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center. This initiative focuses on addressing the critical shortage and high turnover rates among direct care workers. By bolstering this workforce, ACL aims to ensure older adults, individuals with disabilities, and family caregivers can live, work, and engage fully in their communities, thereby improving overall quality of life.

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Opportunity

About RSVP

Established in 1971 and now one of the largest senior volunteer programs in the nation, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP engages people ages 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers tutor children, help prepare simple taxes, assist victims of natural disasters, provide nutrition/food support, facilitate opioid and substance abuse education workshops, and serve in their communities in many other ways. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers choose how, where, and how often they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours to a maximum of 40 hours per week. While serving, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers improve their own lives by staying active and civically engaged. 

Funding Priorities

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP programming is designed to meet community needs. Applicants may propose activities intended to address community needs by thoroughly explaining the unmet need and activities to be completed by volunteers to address that need. In addition, AmeriCorps is interested in programming that addresses agency priorities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP priorities for this funding opportunity are:

• Supporting Older Adults and Caregivers: Provide respite, support groups, system navigation, care coordination, and resources for older adults, including custodial grandparents, and caregivers.
• Helping Older Adults Re-enter the Workforce: Offer job readiness, mentoring, training, and remove barriers to employment for older adults (volunteers provide services, not seek jobs).
• Building Strong Families: Support parents in helping children succeed, mentor parents, connect families to resources, and strengthen community partnerships.
• Preventing and Mitigating Fraud and Scams: Use digital navigators and other strategies to protect older adults from financial fraud and exploitation, including emerging AI-driven scams.
• Reducing Homelessness: Develop or renovate affordable housing, assist people experiencing homelessness in finding and maintaining permanent housing, and address housing needs for vulnerable populations.
• Supporting Behavioral Health Initiatives: Improve mental health, reduce isolation, prevent substance use, provide harm reduction tools (Naloxone, fentanyl test strips), peer support, and recovery services.

Award Funding Requirements

Applicants must construct the budget in the following manner. The federal share of the budget must not exceed $75,000 plus up to $350 for every unduplicated volunteer, whether or not they serve in an outcome-based work plan. 

The Japanese American Community Foundation Grants support programs for the Japanese American and broader Asian American communities. Funding ranges from $2,500 to $50,000 for projects focusing on senior health, history, arts, culture, and youth. Eligible applicants must be registered 501c3 public benefit nonprofit organizations. Note that organizations with open grants cannot apply until their current grant is closed. Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) before the full proposal.

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.

The Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging is designed for early-stage physicians and health professionals committed to aging research. This initiative, supported by the NIH, aims to cultivate leadership skills and advance research in geriatrics. Eligible candidates must demonstrate prior research support and leadership in their field. While applications are not currently being accepted, this NOFO encourages potential applicants to develop collaborative and impactful projects in aging 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 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 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.

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.

Recent master’s graduates and mid-career professionals pursuing leadership roles in aging services can apply for the United Negro College Fund’s Aging Services Leadership Fellowship, awarding US $50,000 - US $80,000 for a year-long, non-clinical fellowship. Participants nationwide, including those serving seniors in South Dakota, receive specialized aging-services training, mentoring, coaching, and social justice-focused professional development.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with at least two years of operation can receive funding to combat social isolation and related risks among older adults, including in South Dakota. With a mission to foster innovation in aging, Sephardic Home for the Aged Foundation supports trauma-informed care, mental health services, and intergenerational programming that reconnect isolated seniors.

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.

Harry Kramer Memorial Fund provides South Dakota senior services and health organizations with grants of US $10,000 - US $25,000 for care of the sick or aged. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) U.S. charities, including those serving seniors, South Florida education, Israel-focused work, or organizations significantly supported by religious institutions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing senior services, vision care, children’s services, environmental conservation, historic preservation, or drunk driving prevention may be eligible for this funding, including groups serving South Dakota. The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation offers US $5,000 - US $100,000 primarily for Utah-based activities, with some support for qualified work beyond the state.