The Retirement Research Foundation supports programs that provide new and expanded opportunities for older adults to engage in meaningful roles in society. Through the Accessible Faith Grant Program, the Foundation will make funds available to Chicago area houses of worship for accessibility improvements to their facilities. Such improvements should allow increased participation of older adults in the programs, services, and activities that occur in facilities.
A total of $300,000 in Accessible Faith Grants will be available from the Foundation in 2008. An additional $300,000 will also be available in 2009. The maximum grant amount is $30,000. Grants will be awarded for up to 50% of a project’s total cost. There are two grant deadlines. Applications must be received at the Foundation office or postmarked by 5:00 pm on Friday, April 11, 2008 or Friday, June 27, 2008. Grant award notification will be approximately five months after each deadline with funding available one month after notification.
A. Eligibility
B. Purposes of Grant
C. Restrictions
D. Project Time Frame
E. Selection Criteria and Priorities
F. Reporting Requirements
Applications will be reviewed by The Retirement Research Foundation staff and its technical consultant. To be eligible for an Accessible Faith Grant, the facility and congregation must meet the following criteria:
1. Be registered as a certified 501(c)(3) religious organization.
2. Be located within Cook, Lake, or DuPage County in Illinois.
3. Provide programs and activities -- beyond worship services -- that benefit
older adults.
4. Demonstrate a need for financial assistance to carry out the accessibility
project.
5. Demonstrate the ability to raise sufficient funds to complete the project if
awarded a grant.
6. Own the facility where improvements would be made.
Accessible Faith Grants may be used for the following purposes:
1. Construction projects. The grant could be used to increase accessibility in an existing building by carrying out projects such as installing elevators, platform lifts, inclined lifts, or permanent ramps; widening doorways; or renovating restrooms for accessibility. These projects generally require a building permit.
2. Purchase and installation of accessibility-related equipment. The grant could be used to improve accessibility through the purchase and installation of assistive listening systems, automatic door openers, etc. for worship space or rooms where activities and programs for older adults take place.
1. Grants will not be made for chairlifts because they do not provide accessibility for all people who have difficulty climbing stairs. To use a chairlift, an individual must be able to get out of his or her wheelchair or scooter and get into the chairlift. The wheelchair or scooter must then be carried up or down the stairs, which is dangerous to the person carrying it and may damage the wheelchair or scooter.
2. Grants will not be made for used equipment. A used lift or other item may not have had the required maintenance to keep it in safe and effective operating condition. It would probably also lack a warranty.
3. Grants will not be made for the purchase of accessible vehicles or individual mobility aids, such as wheelchairs or walkers.
4. Grants will not be provided for projects that are already completed.
5. Grants will not be provided for constructing entirely new buildings, entirely new multi-room additions to existing buildings, or for overall large-scale facility renovations that include many elements unrelated to accessibility.
1. Construction projects must be completed within 18 months of the grant award. The Retirement Research Foundation considers installation of elevators and platform lifts to be construction projects. Reports are required at 6-month intervals along with a final report. Under extreme conditions and with written permission from The Retirement Research Foundation, an extension may be granted with no additional funding.
2. Equipment purchase and installation projects must be completed within 12 months of the grant award. Only a final report is required.
Projects that meet the following criteria will be given priority:
1. Congregations that have a large number of older adults.
2. Congregations that have programs, services, or activities in their facilities
that involve older adults. This includes programs specifically targeted to
older adults, as well as programs and activities that they participate in with
others, such as choirs, faith-sharing groups, scripture studies, or food
pantries.
3. Congregations that provide space in their facilities for outside organizations
holding programs, services, or
activities that are geared toward or involve older adults (e.g., dance groups,
book clubs, classes, homeless shelters, etc.).
4. Congregations that demonstrate financial need; that is, congregations unable to carry out the project without outside funding assistance,
but with the ability to obtain the balance of funds sufficient to undertake the project if a grant
is awarded.
5. Construction projects with accessibility designs that are sensitively integrated
into the existing architecture.
1. Interim narrative report each six months during the tenure of the
grant for construction projects. No interim reports for equipment
projects.
2. A final narrative and financial report.
3. For construction projects, glossy photos of completed project with
congregation name and grant award number written on the back.
(Rev. 1/08)