The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is pleased to promote the following funding opportunities that advance inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities:
- Community Compact Best Practice Program (currently open until funding runs out):
The Community Compact is a voluntary, mutual agreement entered into between the Baker-Polito Administration and individual cities and towns of the Commonwealth. In a Community Compact, a community will agree to implement at least one best practice that they select from across a variety of areas. Among the possible areas is an “Age/Dementia Friendly Best Practice.”
The community’s chosen best practice(s) will be reviewed between the Commonwealth and the municipality to ensure that the best practice(s) chosen are unique to the municipality and reflect needed areas of improvement. Once approved, the written agreement will be generated and signed by both the municipality and the Commonwealth. The Compact also articulates the commitments the Commonwealth will make on behalf of all communities.
The FY23 Best Practice program opens on August 15th, 2022 and remains open until available funds are exhausted.
Interested communities and stakeholders can contact James Fuccione at MHAC for details.
- Community Compact IT Grant Program (opens September 6):
This is a competitive grant program focused on driving innovation and transformation at the local level via investments in technology. Using the transformative powers of IT, we can drive innovation, make government more efficient, save taxpayer money, and make it easier for residents to interact and transact with their local government.
Grants of up to $200,000 support the implementation of innovative IT projects by funding related one-time capital needs such as technology infrastructure or software. Incidental or one-time costs related to the capital purchase such as planning, design, installation, implementation and initial training are eligible.
With MHAC’s promotion of this program as an opportunity to support older adults, last year’s awards have supported the purchase of devices and training programs for older adults in Ludlow and a downtown Wi-Fi network in Pittsfield that encompasses senior housing and benefits people of all ages.
The application period for the FY23 IT Grant program opens on September 6, 2022 through October 7, 2022 at noon.
Interested communities and stakeholders can contact James Fuccione at MHAC for details.
- Cultural Sector Recovery Grants for Organizations (deadline September 28)
Mass Cultural Council’s Cultural Sector Recovery Grants for Organizations offers unrestricted grants ranging from $5,000-$75,000 to Massachusetts cultural organizations, collectives, and businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
MHAC encourages age- and dementia friendly community stakeholders to engage local arts and cultural sector partners to include older adults in efforts to boost volunteerism, programming, workforce and other issues.
The application for the Cultural Sector Recovery Grants for Organizations is available here.