OVERVIEW: The National Council on Aging makes grants to support elder services and advocacy at the national, regional and local levels.
IP TAKE: The best way to get involved with the National Council on Aging is to become an affiliate organization. While the council awards hundreds of grants each year, it does not typically accept applications for funding and appears to select its grantees proactively, providing funding where it is most needed. This is a large but approachable organization with national reach that supports grantees of various sizes. This organization primarily provides data and research, disseminates best practices, and conducts advocacy work, primarily conducting grantmaking via partnerships rather than through a more traditional approach to grantmaking that includes programs. For the support it does provide, NCOA awards a mix of national, regional and local organizations.
PROFILE: Based in Arlington, Virginia, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) was established in 1950. It is the oldest organization of its kind in the U.S. and pursues a mission to “[i]mprove the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are struggling.” Its current goal is to “[i]mpact the health and economic security of 40 million older adults by 2030.” While this organization’s website provides a wealth of information for older adults and those serving them, it is not geared toward grantseekers. The council does, however, make grants to community organizations for programs, outreach and advocacy related to the wellness of older adults everywhere in the U.S.
Grants for Aging
The National Council on Aging does not provide information on specific grantmaking strategies or on how to secure funding. A recent impact report names two main areas of engagement.
- The Strengthening Communities focus area supports community organizations and local nonprofits with grants, professional development learning opportunities and technical support. About 2,700 senior centers from everywhere in the U.S. are enrolled as affiliates of the NCOA.
- NCOA also focuses on Advocating for Change and supports outreach programs that help older people secure benefits to which they are entitled, especially those related to medicare and prescription drug coverage. The council also advocates for policy to support the interests of the elderly at the national level.
- Grantees working at the national level include the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging and the Medicare Rights Center.
- At the local and regional levels, the council has supported recipients including the Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce, the Southwestern Community Action Council, the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission and the New York City Department for the Aging.
Important Grant Details:
This funder makes grants ranging from about $5,000 to $12 million, with a median grants size of about $75,000. This funder makes hundreds of grants each year.
- While NCOA gives to large, national policy outfits, community and regional agencies for the elderly number significantly among its grantees.
- The council does not provide information about how it selects its grantees, but being an affiliate organization will likely pave the way for support. See the Partner with Us page for information about how to get involved with NCOA.
- For additional information about NCOA’s work see its recent impact report.
Use the contact page to reach out to NCOA. The council’s phone number is listed as (571) 527-3900.
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