As we gear up for our next round of capacity building grants, Archstone Foundation is excited to announce some important changes to the program. These changes are aimed at aligning it more closely with our strategic vision, our mission, the principles of our Teams, Training, and Technology approach — our Three Ts of care coordination — and our commitment to reducing health disparities.
We are seeking all possible avenues to build a more integrated, equitable, and impactful system of care. In our pursuit of this coordinated care, we are now requiring capacity building grant applicants to tell us how their work aligns with our strategic goal of expanding integrated care through our Three Ts.
Aligning Grants with Our Three Ts of Care Coordination
As we reviewed past capacity building projects, we realized that those grants also aligned with our Three Ts. These areas of alignment are overlays, not mutually exclusive from our capacity building support categories, and took various forms. Here are a few examples:
- California Pools of Hope received an internal operations grant in January for support in becoming a contract service provider for both physical therapy and occupational therapy to a diverse population of older adults. The Long Beach organization already offered physical therapy and wanted to build its team to include occupational therapy and then bill Medicare for both services. This example, of promoting and enhancing Team care while building sustainability through billing infrastructure, also aligns with our goal of achieving equity in care for older Californians.
- Watts Labor Community Action Committee received a grant last year to adapt an evidence-based program that aligned with our Training area of focus. It modified and pilot tested Shape to Fit: Diabetes Education that Works for South Los Angeles Older Adults, then augmented the curriculum of the Stanford University Diabetes Self-Management Program and provided the classes to Black and Latino older adults in Los Angeles. This project aimed to increase trust and communication between healthcare providers and older adults living in marginalized neighborhoods, address systemic racial barriers, and improve access to equitable healthcare.
- Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) received a CRM/Technology Improvements grant in 2021 to implement a new customer relationship management software solution to track and coordinate services for its clients in Los Angeles. Aligned with our Technology area of focus, this grant supported staff training to use the new system, import data, and customize features.
Implementing Additional Updates to the Capacity Building Program
This is the first time we will be concurrently issuing RFPs for both general capacity building grants and diversity-focused capacity building grants. And as part of our effort to expand our reach and effectiveness, we have made some changes to the process:
- To ensure accessibility and encourage applications from new organizations, we have condensed the initial Letter of Inquiry to two-to-three pages. This will allow us to consider a wider range of applicants and provide a clearer pathway for potential grantees to showcase their strengths and alignment with our mission.
- In line with our commitment to support a diverse applicant pool with additional opportunities for access, grantees are now required to wait two years before reapplying to the capacity building grant program. This will allow us to extend our reach to new organizations while continuing to nurture existing partnerships.
- We will make a small award to organizations that submit a full proposal but are not selected for a grant. This will recognize the value of their contributions and our belief in recognizing their time and effort in completing the application process.
Providing Catchafire Access for All Capacity Building Grant Applicants
Given the overwhelming response we’ve received to each capacity building call for proposals, and as part of our commitment to providing this support, all capacity building grant applicants will now receive an invitation to access Catchafire. This innovative platform allows organizations to tap into a vast network of skilled professionals eager to volunteer their expertise and contribute to meaningful change. We are thrilled to offer this resource, enabling all applicants to get started right away on important activities that can strengthen their operations and maximize their impact.
Reiterating Our Commitment to Capacity Building
Our capacity building grants, for as much as $50,000 over one year, are exclusively for organizations serving older adults in California.
They are designed to empower nonprofits and enhance their organizational strength and effectiveness, and they play a vital role in our mission to improve the leadership and management of organizations directly serving older Californians. We firmly believe that, by strengthening internal systems and facilitating access to new resources, nonprofits can reach new heights.
As we move forward with our streamlined program, we are enthusiastic about the transformative potential it holds. By focusing on Teams, Training, and Technology, we can foster a collaborative environment, equip organizations with necessary skills and knowledge, and leverage innovations to enhance the quality of care for older individuals.
The RFP will be released, and letters of inquiry will be accepted beginning on July 12. Share your commitment to advancing coordinated care by demonstrating how your work intersects with our strategic goals of promoting teams, enhancing training, or improving technology.
We encourage you to apply so, together, we can create a future where older adults receive the coordinated, equitable care and support they deserve, enabling them to thrive and live with dignity.
Ryan DoyLoo and Jasmine Lacsamana contributed to this post.
