The Sarah Ralston Foundation Grants $750,000 to Nonprofits Serving Philadelphia's Vulnerable, Underserved, Elderly Population
The Sarah Ralston Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its Spring 2023 General Operating Support Grants! This grant marks the inauguration of a twice-yearly cycle of grants for qualified nonprofits. A total of $750,000 will be distributed to twenty-eight nonprofits in support of their work with older Philadelphians in need.
We are excited by the diverse pool of applicants this year: small- to medium-sized organizations from different parts of Philadelphia that focus on the issues central to the Foundation’s mission, such as food insecurity, housing, advocacy for older adults, and quality of life.
Next Grant Cycle: Innovative Project Support
More than thirty nonprofits supporting Philadelphia’s underserved, vulnerable elderly population that were interested in applying for our Innovative Project Support Grant joined our Grant Seekers’ Briefing Wednesday, June 7th at noon via Zoom. The agenda included history and logistics, tips on writing an effective grant, and key components of the grant application. The deadline for the Innovative Project Support grant applications is September 1, 2023. |
Thank You, May Fundraiser Donors!
Each May is Older Americans Month and the perfect month for The Sarah Ralston Foundation to host an online fundraiser. Thank you to all who donated! It’s not too late to make your mark and be part of our community supporting nonprofits that serve underserved, vulnerable, older Philadelphians.
Blog Article: The Obstacles of Addressing Behavioral Health Issues in the Elderly
There are a variety of behavioral health issues that negatively impact the quality of life of the elderly population in this country. Issues such as depression and anxiety were exacerbated by the isolation and stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Diagnosis can also prove to be challenging because the elderly generation is less likely to seek help when help is needed. They tend to suffer in silence. Add to that a critical shortage of medical providers who specialize in elder patient care, or providers that are not well-trained to the unique needs of an older person, and it becomes clear that there is a desperate need for more investment, training and awareness.
“Access to behavioral health services for older adults is difficult to come by,” said Lynette Killen, the Executive Director of The Sarah Ralston Foundation, a non-profit foundation that funds organizations that serve the aging population in Philadelphia County. “The supply of geriatric-trained and educated providers is woefully low,” she said. “This has been an ongoing problem for this field. Not many people are drawn to caring for the elderly.” The lack of access to care and the shortage of properly trained providers means that behavioral health issues will continue to plague the elder population. When left untreated, symptoms may worsen, lead to medical issues, poor decision making, and diminished quality of life.