Connecting Generations, Strengthening Communities

Geographic Scope: Central Texas (Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties)

Focus Areas: Intergenerational programming that brings older adults and younger generations together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities

Background: The five-county Central Texas area currently has approximately 200,000 people aged 65 or older. This population is projected to quadruple to over 800,000 by 2050. The Foundation seeks innovative strategies to facilitate intergenerational programs based on reciprocity, where older adults and youth serve as resources to one another.

Program Goals:

• Improve community cohesion
• Improve child well-being
• Promote healthy outcomes for all ages

Tier One – Innovation Grants

• Maximum Award: Up to $20,000 per year for 2 years
• Eligible Activities: Initial research, needs assessments, site visits to innovative programs, project planning, marketing, programmatic costs, volunteer support, and staff time
• Staffing Requirements: Will not require full-time staffing
• Recurrence: One-time funding for 24-month period; follow-up funding not guaranteed but may be considered
• Competitiveness: Less competitive; larger number of awards expected

Tier Two – Strategic Grants

• Maximum Award: Up to $100,000 per year for 2 years
• Eligible Activities: Same as Tier One but with deeper programmatic component and may require more staff time or programmatic expenses
• Priority Focus Areas:
  • Engaging older adults to support early childhood brain development
  • Mitigating toxic stress experienced by low-income families with children
  • Projects based in rural communities
• Recurrence: One-time funding for 24-month period; subsequent funding not guaranteed but may be invited for ongoing re-procurement
• Competitiveness: Much more competitive; limited number of awards expected

Eligibility: Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and public entities

Application Process

1. Submit One-Page Description: Applicants submit a short one-page description of their program idea
2. Submit Budget Outline: Accompany the program description with an outline of the budget
3. RFI Response: Submit materials by the RFI Response Date
4. Notice of Decision: Foundation provides notice of decision and invitation to submit full proposal (if applicable)
5. Full Proposal Submission: Selected applicants submit full proposal
6. Final Decision: Foundation announces final decision

Required Materials:

• One-page program description
• Budget outline
• Full proposal (if invited)

Note: Historical timeline (2019) shows a multi-stage process with information sessions and decision notifications, but specific 2026 deadlines and current application materials not available in provided content.