The Sarah Ralston Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its Spring 2024 General Operating Support Grants. This year marks a significant milestone as we continue our commitment to supporting the invaluable work of nonprofits serving older Philadelphians in need. With a total allocation of $750,000, we are honored to award grants to 29 exceptional organizations. Our Executive Director, Lynette Killen, expressed gratitude for the remarkable diversity among this year’s applicants. “From various corners of Philadelphia, these small- to medium-sized nonprofits are dedicated to addressing critical issues central to our foundation’s mission, including food insecurity, housing, elder advocacy, and enhancing quality of life.”
In 2024, The Sarah Ralston Foundation will be continuing our 2023 support for 22 exceptional nonprofits, recognizing their continued dedication to serving our community and underscoring our commitment to our nonprofit partners. Explore the impactful outcomes of our 2023 grant recipients in our article, “From Funding to Impact: A Year in Review of our Partner’s Success”. Additionally, we are excited to welcome 7 new partners into our network, enhancing our ability to make a meaningful impact and extend our reach within the community.
Seven new partners have joined us in our mission to serve older Philadelphians in need. From legal representation to companionship and support, these organizations bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to addressing the critical issues facing elders in our community:
KleinLife: A cornerstone of Northeast Philadelphia since 1975, KleinLife provides essential services to seniors, fostering a healthy, multicultural, and multigenerational community where seniors can age in place with dignity and social connection.
Let’s See if We Can Help, Inc.: Established in 2008, this nonprofit empowers lower-income Philadelphia residents through financial literacy initiatives, providing education and guidance on estate planning, property rights, and other economic matters.
Love Pray Peace Project: LP3 provides compassionate-centered living communities and services to homeless veterans and families, offering education, empowerment, and housing support to over 1500 individuals since 2014.
New Life United Brethren: Founded in 2012, New Life UBC nurtures and empowers future generations, fostering faith, developing talents, and igniting a passion for serving within and beyond the community.
Philadelphia VIP Inc: Since 1981, Philadelphia VIP has advanced access to justice for low-income Philadelphians by providing quality volunteer legal services, preventing homelessness, promoting family stability, preserving income, and supporting community economic development.
StudentsCare: Established in 2013, StudentsCare connects undergraduate healthcare students with isolated seniors, and their families, providing fun, friendship, and support to enhance their quality of life.
VisionLink: VisionLink is Philadelphia’s largest service provider to people experiencing vision loss, offering education, support services, and community connections to achieve greater independence and well-being.
Additionally, we are honored to continue our partnership with 22 exceptional organizations, each of whom has demonstrated unwavering dedication to serving our community’s older adults for a second year.
ARTZ Philadelphia: Engaging people living with dementia through the arts.
Broad Street Love: Helping to stabilize Philadelphians living in deep poverty.
Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elders (CARIE): Promoting the well-being, rights, and autonomy of older Philadelphians.
Center in the Park: Promoting positive aging and social connections among older adults in a local community center guided by the articulated needs of its program participants.
Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels: Delivering nutritious meals and warm greetings to homebound neighbors.
Connectedly: Strengthening community support networks, reducing social isolation, and improving the wellbeing of older adults.
Face to Face: Relieving the suffering of its guests with immediate support for critical needs in a safe environment and providing a practical plan of action that addresses the complex mix of issues unique to each guest.
Generations on Line: Reducing isolation by teaching easy, fast, free digital skills to older Philadelphians.
Kiths Integrated and Targeted Human Services: Connecting Asian Americans immigrants and refugees to resources that build skills vital to their livelihood and self-sufficiency.
Masjid Al-Wasatiyah: Providing a haven for older Muslim Americans and their families.
Morivivi Latino Cancer Support Group: Supporting Latinas in Philadelphia diagnosed with breast cancer.
Northern Living Center by North City Congress: Providing community center services that include behavioral health and wellness programs to older Philadelphians.
Northwest Community Court Program: Providing resources for families with food insecurities and assisting older citizens incarcerated for 15 years or more with reentry.
Northwest Mutual Aid Collective, Inc.: Suppling nutritious and healthy food to seniors, cancer patients, the disabled, and low-income families.
Penn’s Village: Providing caring services and programs that allow older neighbors to live independently in their homes.
Philadelphia Aging People in Prison Human Rights Campaign: Advocating, educating, and lobbying for the release and human rights of aging people incarcerated in prisons.
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia: Repairing homes, revitalizing communities, and rebuilding lives.
The Center-Philadelphia: Providing a space where all people can assemble, organize, engage, create, and inspire social change.
The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation: Providing health and human services to the Asian American community.
Urban Affair Coalition, Grand Central: Providing a place where older adults can receive services and socialization, including support to those raising their grandchildren.
Urban Resources and Development Corporation: Stabilizing communities through the repair of homes for seniors and low-income people.
UUH Outreach Program: Supporting independence, dignity, and quality of life for people 60 years of age and older in their homes and communities.
As the Sarah Ralston Foundation continues to evolve, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving older adults in Philadelphia. Our foundation, established in January 2023 with funds from the sale of the historic Ralston Center, embodies Sarah Ralston’s enduring legacy of compassion and care for our elders in need. “Our mission to honor Sarah Ralston’s vision remains unwavering, with our assets dedicated to sustaining her legacy well into the future,” said Executive Director, Lynette Killen.
Ben Hoyle, President of the Board of Directors, reflects on the remarkable success of our spring grant cycle, acknowledging the profound impact these grants have on the lives of vulnerable older adults. “Through the collective efforts of our partner organizations, both small and large, we strive to enhance the well-being of our community’s elders by directing funding where it is needed most across Philadelphia’s neighborhoods,” he said.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the organizations who applied for the 2024 General Operating Support Grants. Your dedication to serving older Philadelphians is truly commendable. I also want to express appreciation to our diligent 2024 Grant Committee for their meticulous work in reviewing applications and selecting this year’s deserving recipients,” said Killen.
Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate our next grant cycle, Innovative Project Support. This initiative seeks to foster innovation in programs and services impacting the health and quality of life of older Philadelphians. Qualified nonprofits are invited to submit their applications for consideration, with the potential to develop new projects or expand existing ones. For more information and to access the application, please visit www.sarahralstonfoundation.org. The application deadline is September 1, 2024.
The Sarah Ralston Foundation has extended its May fundraiser. Those passionate about supporting older adults in need can make an online contribution, helping us continue our vital work in serving Philadelphia’s elderly population. Visit www.givebutter.com/sarahralstonfoundation