Social Connection Grant Opportunity

USAging’s Strengthening Social Connection in Communities (SSCC) is seeking applicants for 12-month seed grants, not exceeding $35,000 each, for up to 10 organizations within the Aging Network.
 
Two grantees must be located in western New York, specifically in one of the following counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans or Wyoming.
 
Organizations can submit a proposal in one of the two following tracks:

TRACK 1: Program Replication/Expansion
In this track, applicants may introduce one of the approved social connection programs to their organization, or, if already offering one of these programs, applicants may seek to expand it to reach new communities or populations in their service area. Instead of, or in addition to, applying to implement one of the approved programs, applicants may also choose to offer a technology-focused social connection initiative (e.g., a technology device or platform).

TRACK 2: Cross-Sector Partnership
This track emphasizes the development or expansion of the approved social connection programs through partnerships between CBOs and health care partners (such as hospitals, health systems or accountable care organizations), or the implementation of improved processes for referrals between health care providers and CBOs for social connection programs in the communities they serve (e.g., social prescribing).
 
Resources

• Requests for Proposals 
• Program Bank (programs approved for funding)
• Budget Template
• Workplan Template
• Frequently Asked Questions

Application Information
All applications must be submitted using the Submittable platform. No applications will be accepted via email. The application deadline is December 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET.




Information Session
The RFP Social Connection grant opportunity informational webinar was held on October 23, 2025. The webinar included key questions asked and answered. To help you with your proposal, please review the recorded version.