Oakland County Grant Program to Encourage Senior Volunteerism
(Oakland County, Feb. 18, 2024)
Oakland County, MI – Oakland County is launching a new grant program for local organizations that offer volunteer programs for senior residents. The aim of the funding is to help organizations that rely on older adult volunteers expand their programming, as these programs have been slow to recover following the COVID-19 health crisis. All information about eligibility and requirements can be found at www.oakgov.info/ARPAgrants.
“Older adults are some of the most active and engaged residents in Oakland County,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “These mini grants to boost volunteerism will help our nonprofits expand the services they provide and encourage our older residents and others to contribute their time and extensive talent and experience to their neighborhoods and communities.”
In September 2022, the Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution appropriating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the Oakland Together Senior Initiatives, and it included funding for nonprofit organizations that provide senior-centered services in Oakland County to increase evidence-based volunteer management practices. Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford) chairs the Board’s Healthy Aging Oakland County Ad Hoc Committee, which has been instrumental in the county’s $5 million investment in senior services since 2022.
“Senior service volunteer organizations have experienced a significant decline in volunteers since the COVID-19 pandemic,” Nelson said. “It is vital that we assist these nonprofits with increasing capacities to recruit older volunteers. With more volunteers, more Oakland County residents can receive the help they need.”
Eligible applicants include Oakland County nonprofits that provide senior-centered services, such as food delivery, transportation and home repairs, or have an existing senior volunteer program. Past recipients of Oakland County ARPA-funded grants are not eligible.
Organizations interested in learning more about the grant program can attend a virtual information session at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13. For more information about this session, grant eligibility and to apply, visit www.oakgov.info/ARPAgrants.
For more information about the Board of Commissioners, please visit www.oakgov.com/boc or call 248- 858-0100.
