Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Who can apply for funding from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA)?
AFA strongly believes in developing and enhancing programs and services in local communities in order to improve quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and their families. We accomplish this through a grant process, among other avenues.
AFA regularly offers grants only to/through our nonprofit member organizations. These organizations continue to operate independently while benefiting from belonging to a larger, national framework. For more information about AFA membership, please Click Here.
2) What grant opportunities are available from AFA?
AFA offers three grant opportunities to/through our nonprofit member organizations:
- The Bi-Annual Grant offers funding to organizations for new or existing programs/services that improve the lives of those living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, and their families. This grant is offered during the spring (deadline-postmarked by February 1) and fall (deadline-postmarked by August 1) of each year. Funds may be awarded to more than one organization during any given cycle. Click here to read more about past grant recipients.
- The Brodsky Grant was initiated in 2005 in honor of AFA's chairman, Bert Brodsky, and his wife, Muriel, for their generosity and outstanding commitment to helping others. The Brodsky Grant is an annual grant (deadline-postmarked by May 15 of each year) that provides funding to one organization per year for an innovative program that improves the lives of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other related illnesses, and their families. The program must demonstrate innovativeness, greatest need and replication potential. Click here to read more about past grant recipients.
- The Family Respite Care Grant helps alleviate the cost of respite care (in-home respite care, social model adult day services, companion care, and overnight respite stay). AFA provides funding to our nonprofit member organizations so they can in turn provide families in need with funding for care services available through the member organization itself or another agency. Individuals may only obtain grant applications by contacting a participating AFA nonprofit member organization, and only applications mailed from that member organization's office will be accepted. This grant is offered during the spring (deadline-postmarked by May 1) and fall (deadline-postmarked by November 1) of each year.
3) What are the available amounts for each grant opportunity?
The amount of each of these grants may change each year. Therefore, it is best to check with AFA for the most up-to-date information prior to applying. However, as a baseline, in 2010:
- AFA awarded Bi-Annual Grants of $5,000 each.
- AFA awarded Family Respite Care Grants of $1,000 each to families in need of financial assistance for respite care and other care services.
- AFA awarded The Brodsky Grant in the amount of $25,000.
4) We are a Project Lifesaver program/site. May we apply for funding through AFA?
Yes, affiliates of Project Lifesaver International—law enforcement agencies, emergency response systems, etc.—may apply for funding. Project Lifesaver International is a member organization of AFA and shares a special partnership with AFA; all of its members are AFA members as well and, therefore, are more than welcome to apply for any of our grants. Funding obtained through the Family Respite Care Grant for a particular family or individual cannot be used for Project Lifesaver purposes; these funds must be used at some other organization for respite care services only.
5) Are there formal grant applications? If so, where can I obtain one?
Yes, there are formal grant applications and guidelines. However, these applications are only accessible to AFA’s nonprofit member organizations in good standing. These organizations may use their unique user ID’s and passwords to log into the members-only area of the AFA Web site. Member organizations may contact AFA at 866.232.8484 or email us to obtain the organization’s log-in information.
6) Besides the formal grant application, may we submit additional information and materials (i.e. brochures, news articles)?
Yes, you may submit collateral material with your grant application. While it is not a requirement, feel free to submit any additional materials such as brochures or letters of support that you believe will strengthen your grant application and help AFA and its board of trustees further understand your organization and the specific program or service.
7) Who reviews the grant, and what are the main criteria in judging applications for each of the different types of grants?
AFA's board of trustees reviews each grant application. In general, for the Bi-Annual Grant and The Brodsky Grant, the board looks for grant proposals for creative programs and services that are of great need in the community; will serve a significant number of clients; and demonstrate an ability to successfully carry out the program or service. The Family Respite Care Grant is based on need.
8) We were awarded a grant. Can we apply during the next grant cycle?
No. If your organization was awarded funds for the Bi-Annual Grant or The Brodsky Grant, you must wait one grant cycle before reapplying for that particular category of grants. Afterward, we welcome your submission.
9) We submitted a grant application in the past and were denied. May we resubmit this grant application during a future grant cycle?
Yes, we encourage you to resubmit any grant proposals that were denied during a past grant cycle. However, please take note of the following tips:
- Be sure to review your grant proposal before submission, checking and double checking for spelling and grammatical errors.
- Complete the entire application to the best of your ability.
- Feel free to include any additional information, such as pamphlets, brochures, etc., about your organization or the specific program/service.
- While letters of support are not a requirement, they may bolster your grant proposal.
- Keep in mind that if your grant proposal was declined in the past, this does not mean that your program/service did not hold merit; unfortunately, AFA cannot fund all of the grant proposals that we receive.
- Go back to your original grant proposal and strengthen and/or clarify sections that will help us further understand the program or service.
- AFA will provide a grant denial report to each applicant whose grant proposal was denied based on its score. This report will give specific information that explains why the application was rejected in order to assist the organization in reapplying for funding for the same program/service during a future grant cycle. (Grant denial reports are not provided for applications that were denied based on lack of funding.)
10) When will grantees be notified of their award or denial?
AFA informs all applicants of the decision, whether approved or denied, an estimated 10 to 12 weeks after the postmarked deadline for each grant cycle.
11) Will AFA publicize information about the grantees?
AFA typically issues national and local press releases following each cycle to announce the member organizations that received a Bi-Annual Grant and/or The Brodsky Grant. In addition, AFA posts on our Web site a listing and short description of each grant that has been awarded. Click here to view past grant recipients. We do not publicize the names of organizations or individuals receiving a Family Respite Care Grant.
12) If we are awarded a grant, will we need to submit a grant report?
Yes. If your organization receives a Bi-Annual Grant and/or The Brodsky Grant, you are required to complete a grant reporting form and submit it to AFA one year after we have awarded the funds. We will send you this information after we award your grant. (AFA does not require a report for Family Respite Care Grants.)
13) Who can I contact for more information
You may contact AFA at 866.232.8484 or email us.
Alzheimer's Foundation of America 866.AFA.8484