Meaningful social connection with others is a core ingredient of human wellbeing. However, social isolation and loneliness are common experiences for many in our society, attributable to a complex range of social and economic factors. For seniors, social isolation and loneliness can be the result of circumstances such as no longer participating in the workforce, living alone, experiencing more limited mobility, and having a smaller social network compared to earlier phases of life.
While these issues were public health concerns prior to 2020, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an unprecedented collective experience of social isolation. Seniors, who were most at-risk from COVID-19 and who often faced more challenges using remote technology tools, were especially impacted.
A new funding opportunity is available from the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) to fund small grants of $25,000 for projects that support community-building and social connection opportunities for seniors.
The VSHSL already funds several strategies that focus on social engagement for seniors. This funding is intended to support social engagement projects for seniors that may not fit into an existing VSHSL funding strategy or may not be offered through the current VSHSL provider network, including projects that address needs that have arisen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding for Short-Term Engagement Projects for Seniors
The Short-Term Engagement Projects for Seniors Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to allocate VSHSL funds to senior-serving organizations for projects that reduce social isolation and loneliness and support community-building and social connection opportunities for seniors.
Funded programs will:
- Address challenges faced by seniors who are experiencing social isolation and/or loneliness
- Support senior participants to build meaningful social connections
- Reflect the needs and interests of the community/communities being served
- Offer activities that are not currently funded through another VSHSL strategy, either because the applicant does not currently receive VSHSL funding, or because the proposed project is meaningfully distinct from current services funded through the VSHSL
Application details
Available funding: Up to $150,000 in VSHSL funds
Investment period: August 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023 (subject to change)
Questions: Contact Virginia Weihs at vweihs@kingcounty.gov
Applications due: June 14, 2022 by 5pm
Join us for more information
May 17, 2022 | 10:30 – 11:30 am
Join by Zoom:
https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/84896402108
Meeting ID: 848 9640 2108
Passcode: 661921
Join by phone:
1-253-215-8782 or 833-548-0276
Meeting ID: 848 9640 2108
Passcode: 661921
May 31, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Join by Zoom:
https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/85692491789
Meeting ID: 856 9249 1789
Passcode: 246652
Join by phone:
1-253-215-8782 or 877-853-5247
Meeting ID: 856 9249 1789
Passcode: 246652
These will be remote sessions with speech to text captioning provided. For accommodations to participate, please contact Virginia Weihs by May 10 for the May 17 Bidders Conference and by May 24 for the May 31 Bidders Conference.
The Bidders Conference sessions will be recorded and posted at https://www.zoomgrants.com/zgf/2022VSHSLSTEPS
For more information and to apply visit: https://www.zoomgrants.com/zgf/2022VSHSLSTEPS
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