Connecting Generations, Strengthening Communities

REQUEST FOR IDEAS (RFI)

Today there are roughly 200,000 people aged 65 or older living in the Foundation’s five-county Central Texas area (Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties). By 2050, that number will quadruple to over 800,000. As this population grows, more older adults will be seeking ways to remain productive and connected to their communities. At the same time, younger generations can benefit greatly through the support, stimulation, and mentorship that older adults can provide. Indeed, a critical element of successful intergenerational programming is the concept of reciprocity – that older adults and youth serve as resources to one another. All of this points to the need for innovative and creative strategies to bring different age groups together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities that can improve community cohesion, improve child well-being, and promote healthy outcomes for all ages.

This Request for Ideas (RFI) seeks to identify organizations interested in implementing intergenerational programs in Central Texas. Funds can be used to launch new or expand existing intergenerational models that engage older adults to come together with younger generations to share skills, needs, and experiences with each other while also addressing critical community issues. This RFI will allow organizations to submit a short one-page description of their program idea and an accompanying outline of the budget.

Projects eligible for funding under this RFI will fall into one of two categories:

  • Tier One – Innovation Grants: These grants are for organizations who would like to implement intergenerational work to address any identified community issue. These grants will not require full-time staffing to carry out the intervention. The grant may include but not be limited to initial research, needs assessments, site visits to innovative intergenerational programs, project planning, marketing, programmatic costs, support for volunteers, and staff time. These smaller grants will provide one-time funding, for a 24-month period. Follow-up funding after the two-year grant period is not guaranteed, but may be considered. Maximum award per applicant: Up to $20,000 per year for 2 years.
  • Tier Two – Strategic Grants: These larger grants are prioritized for organizations who would like to implement intergenerational work focusing on engaging older adults to support early childhood brain development, mitigate toxic stress experienced by low-income families with children, and/or for a project based in a rural community. These grants can cover the same expenses as listed above, but are expected to have a deeper programmatic component and thus may require more staff time or programmatic expenses. These larger grants will be one-time funding for 24-months. Subsequent funding is not guaranteed, but may be invited for ongoing re-procurement. Maximum award per applicant: Up to $100,000 per year for 2 years.

St. David’s Foundation only expects to award a limited number of Tier Two grants. A larger number of Tier One grants will be awarded. Applications for Tier Two Grants will be much more competitive than Tier One applications.

Click here to download the full RFI.


 

  • The lead organization/applicant must be a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or a public entity.
  • This opportunity is open to organizations working in Central Texas (Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties).
  • Organizations with existing St. David’s Foundation funding may apply.
  • Collaborations are welcome. However, a single applicant must serve as the lead organization and hold financial responsibility for the grant funds and overall project management. The lead organization may subcontract with collaborators or other entities.
  • Organizations that exclude participants or job applicants on the basis of race/ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation are not eligible for funding.

 

RFI Release Date: September 25, 2019

Intergenerational Information Session: September 30, 2019
(attendance is optional but encouraged)

Location: St. David’s Foundation 1303 San Antonio Street, 6th Floor – Innovation Center Austin, Texas

Time: 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.: Presentation of RFI, Q&A Session, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Optional private “Office Hours” with opportunity to ask questions about potential application.

*Optional screening of “The Growing Season.” This 70-minute documentary film examines a long-term nursing and assisted living home in Seattle that is also home to a preschool. It offers an intimate glimpse into a world where the very young and the very old learn and grow side by side.

Registration required via email to: events@stdavidsfoundation.org

RFI Response Due Date: October 18, 2019, 5 pm CST

Notice of Decision: October 25, 2019

Invitation to Submit Full Proposal: October 25, 2019 (If applicable)

Full Proposal Due Date: November 22, 2019, 5pm CST (Late applications will not be considered)

Notice of Full Proposal Decision: Late December 2019

Program Start Date/Grant Period: January 2020 – 2-year grant period

Intergenerational Grantee Meetings Half-day meetings will occur twice annually. First meeting is February 2020.


Applications must be submitted to the Foundation by 5 p.m. Central Time Friday, October 18, 2019.

Late applications and applications that do not conform to the requirements described will not be accepted.

Click here to submit an RFI online.


 

Programmatic Questions: Questions regarding the intent of this RFI or applicant eligibility may be directed to Andrew Levack, Senior Program Officer, ALevack@stdavidsfoundation.org

Technical Submission Questions: Technical questions related to the online application submission may be directed to Vanessa Rocha, Grants Coordinator, VRocha@stdavidsfoundation.org