FAQs – Sarah Ralston Foundation

GENERAL FAQs

The Sarah Ralston Foundation seeks to fund organizations serving vulnerable and underserved older adults residing in Philadelphia County. Organizations may be based outside of Philadelphia County.

Yes, you may, but please contact Lynette Killen for better understanding about your financials and goals.

We are open to applications from 501(c)(3) public charities, fiscally sponsored organizations/programs, and supporting organizations.
We look for organizations
- where older adults can go to receive services and socialization (e.g., Senior Centers, Adult Day).
- that provide in-home services (e.g., Home Maintenance Programs, Food Programs, but excluding those services paid for by insurance).
- that provide programs that support those older adults living in the community (e.g., Information & Resources, Transportation, Food Programs, Companionship Services, and Virtual Programs).

The Foundation does not give operating grants to programs and organizations that provide services to older adults who live in institutional settings e.g., a nursing facility or an assisted-living facility.
The Foundation does not give grants to individuals, for-profit entities, or government entities.
The Foundation does not give general operating support to organizations with more than a $5 million operating budget.
The Foundation does not fund outside of the following funding priorities: Access to affordable, equitable and high-quality care; Food insecurity; Behavioral and mental health issues; Caregiver support (family and significant others); Care coordination; Housing Programs; Homelessness; and Loneliness and Social isolation issues.
The Foundation will not purchase tickets, tables, ads, or sponsorships.
The Foundation will not directly contribute to endowments outside of a capital campaign or expenses related to new construction of a building.

Yes, you may. As long as you serve older adults residing in Philadelphia County.

Yes! If you fit the eligibility and criteria of more than one local grantmaking area, you may apply.

The Foundation gives multi-year grants within Innovative Project Support. It does not give multi-year grants within General Operating Support.

Please visit the homepage for the application and notification deadlines for the grantmaking areas.

No. We accept direct applications. Contact Allison Cooper if you have questions about the application.

If you anticipate a delay in meeting an application deadline, please contact Lynette Killen.

Yes, we will provide feedback about why your application was denied. Feel free to ask us any questions.

You are welcome to apply once a year for each local grantmaking area if you are eligible and there are no outstanding grants, including follow-up reports. You are welcome to apply for both General Operating Support and Innovative Project Support if you are eligible.

Generally, we ask for reports/updates to be submitted once a year following the completion of the year.

We use the reports to inform the respective Committee and the larger Board about your work. We also like to make connections between partners based on the information in their reports. We like to share information about your efforts on our social media platforms and in other communications.

Click HERE to start your application