Washington, DC—AARP Foundation is announcing a grant competition to identify organizations across the United States that are dedicated to combatting senior isolation. Selected organizations will help low-income or vulnerable individuals over 50 reduce the negative health outcomes highly correlated or associated with social isolation using innovative and evidence-based solutions at the individual, community or societal level.

Interested 501(c)(3) organizations are strongly encouraged to submit a full proposal by:  November 16, 2015 online at http://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/grants/isolation-grants-combating-isolation/. For those who have not applied for a grant with AARP Foundation in the past two years, registration and the completion of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process is also required. All LOIs must be received no later thanOctober 26, 2015, with an expected response within two days of a submission. 

“AARP Foundation is excited to announce this opportunity to help mitigate social isolation among older Americans and reduce the poor health outcomes we know are related to this problem,” said AARP Foundation President Lisa Marsh Ryerson. “Our Isolation Program seeks to generate new insights and effective solutions that prevent isolation and help connect isolated individuals to their families and communities.”

More than 8 million older adults are socially isolated for a variety of reasons. Many retire from work and lose connections with colleagues. Four out of every 10 people age 65 and over live by themselves, and those who live alone are more likely to experience isolation. Some older adults no longer drive; if public transportation is not available, they don't get out as often.

AARP Foundation is among the few organizations, taking a comprehensive look at senior isolation and how it affects an individual's entire well-being. The organization is pioneering research to understand how people 50 and older get onto a pathway to isolation — and how to help them get off that path. There are many causes — and the reasons that lead a 57-year-old to be isolated may be radically different from those of an 81-year-old. It is important to get a better picture of those who are isolated and how they got there. AARP Foundation will use this research as a starting point, looking at all the ways we can strengthen or repair the broken connections that lead to isolation.

Interested 501(c)(3) organizations who have not applied for a grant with AARP Foundation must submit a Letter of Inquiry by: October 26, 2015, 11:59PM EST at:  http://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/grants/isolation-grants-combating-isolation/

Full proposals due: November 16, 2015, 11:59PM EST and must be completed online at: http://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/grants/isolation-grants-combating-isolation/

About AARP Foundation:

AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people, strengthen communities, work more efficiently and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is AARP’s affiliated charity. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org.

CONTACT:
Charlotte Castillo, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org, @AARPMedia