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  3. Request for Applications

AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation Seeks Proposals for Direct Service, Education, Outreach and Field-Building Projects  --  (CLOSED, the application deadline was 8/31)
 

With these Request for Applications (RFAs), one for Direct Service projects and one for Education, Outreach or Field-Building projects, AARP Foundation seeks projects that advance economic opportunity among low-income older adults.

Please note: there are two separate funding opportunities one for Direct Service projects and one for Education, Outreach or Field-Building. Application requirements and funding levels vary based on the type of project (see chart below).


Direct Service RFA | Education, Outreach and Field-Building RFA

Please note: The application deadline was August 31, 2020, 5:00pm ET.

AARP Foundation Grantmaking

Advancing Economic Opportunity Among Older Adults

 

Grant Application Process

Application Deadline: August 31, 2020 (CLOSED)

Eligible organizations are invited to submit an application and required attachments as listed in the below chart. The application questions require concise and specific answers. Applications missing any required attachments will not be reviewed for funding consideration.

 

Project Type - Direct Service Required Application Sections Required Attachments
(PDF, MSWord, MSExcel)		 Funding Range

Direct Service - Ready to Pilot

Small-scale projects to test the feasibility of a project’s approach, methods, and procedures that are intended to be used in a larger-scale project. 
  • Contact
  • Organizational Details
  • Project Details
  • Financial Information
  • Evidence & Measurement
  1. Theory of Change
  2. Detailed project budget
  3. Most recent audited financial statements
  4. Outputs Data Collection Table
  5. Outcomes Table
  6. Logic Model 
    (guidance/optional template)
  7. Evaluation reports as applicable 
 Maximum award of $150K per year, for up to 3 years   

Direct Service - Ready for Outcomes

Program has been developed, pilot-tested and implemented among low-income older adult, and needs to be independently evaluated to demonstrate a higher level of evidence along the continuum.    

   
  • Contact
  • Organizational Details
  • Project Details
  • Financial Information
  • Evidence & Measurement
  1. Theory of Change
  2. Detailed project budget
  3. Most recent audited financial statements
  4. Outputs Data Collection Table
  5. Outcomes Table
  6. Logic Model 
    (guidance/optional template)
  7. Evaluation reports as applicable
 Maximum award of $250K per year, for up to 3 years  

Direct Service - Ready to Scale

Program has been independently evaluated and has demonstrated moderate to strong evidence of effectiveness and needs to be expanded or scaled.    
  • Contact
  • Organizational Details
  • Project Details
  • Financial Information
  • Evidence & Measurement
  • Scaling Plan    
  1. Theory of Change
  2. Detailed project budget
  3. Most recent audited financial statements
  4. Outputs Data Collection Table
  5. Outcomes Table
  6. Logic Model 
    (guidance/optional template)
  7. Final report(s) of findings from independent evaluation(s) completed.
  8. Scaling Plan    
 Maximum award of $250K per year, for up to 3 years  
Project Type - Non-Direct Service
Required Application Sections

Required Attachments
(PDF)
 Funding Range

Education

Projects that facilitate acquisition of knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, beliefs, and habits pertaining to low-income older adults (e.g. training, instructional material development).
  • Contact
  • Organizational Details
  •  Project Details
  • Financial Information    
  1. Theory of Change
  2. Output and outcome data collection plans, as applicable. 
  3. Detailed project budget
  4. Most recent audited financial statements    
 Maximum award of $150K per year, for up to 2 years    

Outreach

Projects designed to increase awareness of and access to services and resources that help low-income older adults. 
  • Contact
  • Organizational Details
  • Project Details
  • Financial Information    
  1. Theory of Change
  2. Output and outcome data collection plans, as applicable. 
  3. Detailed project budget
  4. Most recent audited financial statements    
 Maximum award of $150K per year, for up to 2 years   

Field-Building

Projects that do not directly serve low-income older adults but advance the work of one or a group of organizations serving low-income older adults to achieve measurable and sustainable results (i.e., infrastructure support, capacity building). 
  • Contact
  • Organizational Details
  • Project Details
  • Financial Information
  1. Detailed project budget
  2. Most recent audited financial statements    
 Maximum award of $150K per year, for up to 2 years    

Eligibility Criteria, Timeline and Application Portal

AARP Foundation RFA Funding Eligibility

The following are NOT eligible for funding:

  • Grants for individuals;
  • Debt retirement or operating deficits;
  • Endowments or reserve funds;
  • Political organizations or campaigns;
  • Lobbying legislators or influencing elections;
  • Sponsorship of fundraising events;
  • Marketing endeavors and personal research;
  • Organizations located outside the United States or its territories; or
  • Indirect expenses unrelated to the project being funded.
AARP Foundation Social Connectedness Timeline for March 2019 RFA

Application Timeline

  • July 2020: Funding opportunity announced and online application made visible 
  • August 31, 2020, 5pm ET: Proposal deadline
  • September - October, 2020: Clarification period (as needed)
  • December 2020: Applicants notified of award decisions and funding determinations
  • January 1, 2021: Grant Start Date
AARP Foundation RFA Resources

Application Portal

Grants Application Portal

All grant applications must be submitted through AARP Foundation's grants application portal.