• Grant funding is a great opportunity to hire new staff to enhance or expand an existing program or develop and implement a new program. To continue to fund salary and benefits for new staff after grant funding ends, consider utilizing AmeriCorps VISTAS for positions such as Volunteer Coordinator. Organizations can reapply yearly for an AmeriCorps VISTA to keep the position staffed. Tracking the impact of a VISTA in this position can be used to show the board of directors and senior management the value of a volunteer coordinator position and why additional funding is necessary to sustain its existence.
  • Community members participating in your program may identify with a variety of chronic illnesses which have supporting associations, such as the American Parkinsons Association, United Cerebral Palsy Association, etc. Some of those organizations may assist in providing funding to build ramps or provide home modifications to maintain safety and independence in the community. Partnering with these organizations may help offset the cost of materials.
  • When developing partnerships with higher education institutions, ask if they have funding to support student interns. Sometimes, they have federal funding available to cover the cost of stipends for student interns.
  • Demonstrate your program impact and value to potential funders at local, state, and national conferences.
  • The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Program, formally known as the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program, provides funding to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The goal is to remove barriers to transportation services and enhance mobility options, especially for those who are underserved by traditional public transportation systems. Nonprofit organizations, local governments, and transit agencies must apply for this funding through their state department of transportation or metropolitan planning organization.
  • Possible funding sources could include, but are not limited to:
    • Corporate Foundations and Companies
      • Example: Walmart Foundation
    • Private Foundations
      • Example: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    • Community Foundations
      • Example: Cleveland Foundation
    • Government Agencies
      • Example: Department of Health and Human Services-Administration for Community Living
    • Religious and Faith-Based Organizations
      • Example: Jewish Federations of North America
    • Nonprofit Organizations with Grantmaking Capacity
      • This category is definitely worth an internet search or use generative AI to help.
    • Academic Institutions and Research Organizations
      • Example: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
    • Family Foundations
      • Example: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation