Proposal Evaluation Criteria:

Research has shown that financial security strategies are most robust when developed in the context of strategic business partnerships of national, regional and/or local leaders who have access to a range of products, services and resources. We will evaluate proposals based on the thoughtfulness and quality of proposed strategic partnerships.

Recognizing that the recent recession has had a disproportionate impact on people of color and other traditionally marginalized groups, we seek to fund projects that demonstrate inclusion of a diverse client base and awareness of the needs of communities of color.

The proposed project may be a single- or multi-community, state, regional or national in scope. However, several states bear the dual burdens of high percentages of low-income population age 50-64 and higher than average unemployment rates: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. While proposals serving all states are welcome, all other aspects equal, priority will be given to funding projects in the states above.

Finally, because this grant is focused on strategies for recovery from the recent recession, AARP Foundation will also evaluate the "actionability" of the strategies and whether they facilitate or incentivize important short and intermediate actions that can be taken to help individuals shorten the time it takes to recover some level of financial stability. Applicants must demonstrate a results-oriented approach to managing and operating its project.

Next: The grant application process. »