Grantmakers In Aging Announces First Grantees for new Hurricane Fund for the Elderly

For Immediate Release Contact: Carol A. Farquhar 888.435.3156 Grantmakers In Aging Announces First Grantees for new Hurricane Fund for the Elderly More than half a million dollars support older adult services for the long haul in the Gulf States Region July 28, 2006 –The Hurricane Fund for the Elderly, an initiative of Grantmakers In Aging (GIA), today announced six grants totaling $544,000 to agencies serving older adults in the Gulf States Region. Grantees from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi will receive funds to re-build the aging services infrastructure interrupted by the catastrophic hurricanes of 2005. “All of us continue to be affected by the images of the physical damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,” said Carol Farquhar, Executive Director of GIA. “What has been harder to see is the devastation the hurricanes caused in the region’s intricate human service networks, particularly those that support older adults. These grants are the beginning of what we hope will be a sustained effort to rebuild the area’s capacity to help elders get the healthcare and social services they require to live with dignity and independence.” The Hurricane Fund for the Elderly focuses on projects that will address the intermediate and long term services for older adults. Specifically, it is supporting advocacy initiatives to ensure that the needs of older adults are addressed as the region undergoes massive planning and reorganization. The Fund is also supporting projects that strengthen the region’s planning capacity, builds partnerships, addresses the challenges of staffing for older adult services and utilizes technical assistance to enhance these services. Six Grantees from Three States The following agencies have received funding from the GIA Hurricane Fund for the Elderly in partnership with the UJA-Federation of New York. Additional funding partners are indicated below: ” University of New Orleans Center for Hazards Assessment (CHART) in Louisiana received a grant to develop a community based evacuation plan for New Orleans’ older adults. ” Area Agency on Aging, South Alabama Regional Planning Commission (AAA-SARPC) received a grant to enhance disaster planning and preparedness. ” The Mississippi Center for Justice received a grant to establish a unit to address older adult legal issues (jointly funded with the AARP Foundation, DC). ” The Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District Area Agency on Aging received a grant to expand its Information and Referral program; (jointly funded by The Retirement Research Foundation, IL). ” Senior Citizens Services, Inc., in Alabama received a grant to establish a Senior Citizens Emergency Resource Center to respond to the specific needs of older adults in disaster response (jointly funded by The Retirement Research Foundation, IL). ” The Alzheimer’s Association in Louisiana received a grant to establish a dementia policy office to advocate for the needs of those with dementia (jointly funded by The Retirement Research Foundation, IL). Robust Response from the Philanthropic Community Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) is a international affinity group of funders dedicated to promoting and strengthening grantmaking for an aging society. GIA created the Hurricane Fund for the Elderly in response to a request from the Administration on Aging, which called upon the philanthropic community to respond to the needs of vulnerable older adults following the devastating hurricanes of 2005. Several funders came forward. The Atlantic Philanthropies (NY) provided funds to cover the administration of the initiative, as well as making a significant contribution to the Fund to be re-granted. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (NJ) also provided funds to be re-granted. As noted above, the UJA-Federation of New York stepped forward to support each of the six grants awarded during this first funding round. The Retirement Research Foundation (IL) is providing matching grants for three of the projects, and AARP Foundation (DC) is providing funding for one of the projects. Martin Lehfeldt, President of the Southeastern Council of Foundations, chairs GIA’s Hurricane Fund for the Elderly National Advisory Committee which is comprised of local and national leaders in the field of philanthropy, aging, and human services. Eight members are from Louisiana, Mississippi, and/or Alabama. Four are from Texas and Florida-states working closely with the refugees from the storms. Another seven are in key national positions, including a representative from the Administration on Aging. To date, the Hurricane Fund for the Elderly has received 53 proposals, requesting over 4.5 million dollars. GIA is still seeking funding partners in order to meet the outpouring of requests for assistance from the region. For more information about Grantmakers In Aging’s Hurricane Fund for the Elderly, contact Carol A. Farquhar, at 888.435.3156 or visit www.GIAging.org.