Age Strong 2025 Expanding Engagement Grant Opportunity
Would you like to expand social engagement opportunities for Boston's older adults to reduce social isolation?
Through the Expanding Engagement Grant, Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston’s Age Strong Commission seek to fund projects that expand social engagement programming and outreach to Boston’s older adults. The goal of this grant program is to build connections and foster a sense of community within each Boston neighborhood. Grants will be made to ensure high-quality social engagement programs are accessible to older adults in every corner of Boston.
Below, you will find information about the grant’s intent, application process, and more.
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Still have questions? Contact:
Age Strong Commission
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1 City Hall Square
Room 271Boston, MA 02201
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For more information about this grant opportunity please contact Ava Portela:
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Applications must be submitted by Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 5 p.m.
About the Grant
Expanding Engagement Grant Priorities
- Expanding social engagement programming for older adults in underserved communities
- Serving new residents who are not already being served by an existing social engagement program offered by the applicant’s organization
- Supporting recently started or new social engagement programs
About the Expanding Engagement Grant
Funding Source: FY25 City Operating Budget
Total Amount Available: $500,000
(If additional funding becomes available, Age Strong may increase the total grant pool to expand the number or size of awards.)
Grant Period: May 5, 2025 through May 4, 2026
Application Deadline: March 13, 2025 at 5:00pm EST
Grant Range: See below for details:
Expanding Engagement Grant Eligibility
Grant applicants must:
- be a Boston-based nonprofit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization or have an official fiscal sponsor
- work with or on behalf of older adults or multiple generations in Boston
- be in good financial standing
- have capacity to successfully implement programming that supports community connections (i.e., number of staff, staff experience, staff time, resources)
- be in good standing with current or previous Age Strong grant reporting requirements
Age Strong is interested in supporting grassroots nonprofits and organizations/groups whose work contributes to a more engaged and healthy Boston by building community.
Level 1 Grants: Up to $2,500
With Level 1 grants, we aim to fund social engagement activities and projects that provide resources for limited occasion programming or are one-time events. This might include a special celebration event, small group transportation costs, or programming supplies.
Level 3 Grants: $10,000-$19,999
With Level 3 grants, we aim to fund existing social engagement programming to further support the stabilization of the work. These grants could also include the expansion of existing programming to new, previously unserved individuals or recently started, small pilot programs.
Level 2 Grants: $2,501-$9,999
With Level 2 grants, we aim to fund social engagement groups and projects that are small in scale. These might include senior housing buildings, faith-based senior groups, and senior-led clubs, etc. seeking to expand programming, such as multi-trip transportation costs, providing a series of entertainment events, or food for gatherings.
Level 4 Grants: $20,000-$50,000
With Level 4 grants, we aim to fund recently-started or new social engagement programs in need of acceleration and broad expansion.
How to Apply
All grant applications and required documents are due Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 5 p.m. (EST). No extensions will be granted.
Info Session
The Age Strong Commission will hold a virtual information session for those interested in applying on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 11 a.m. (EST).
Expanding Engagement Grant applicants will be notified in April 2025.
Timeline
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Event |
Grant Application Opens |
| Date | Thursday, February 13, 2025 |
| Event |
Virtual Information Session |
| Date |
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 11 a.m. |
| Event | Grant Application Deadline |
| Date |
Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. |
| Event | Grant Review Period |
| Date | March 2025 |
| Event | Grant Awards Announced |
| Date | April 2025 |
| Event | Grant Period |
| Date | May 5, 2025 through May 4, 2026 |
| Event | Final Grant Report Deadline |
| Date | June 4, 2026 |
-
Still have questions? Contact:
Age Strong Commission
-
1 City Hall Square
Room 271Boston, MA 02201
-
For more information about this grant opportunity please contact Ava Portela:
-
Applications must be submitted by Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 5 p.m.
