Grant Guidelines

Each year SOAR! awards grants to congregations across the country. Once it has been determined that the request is consistent with SOAR!'s criteria, a full application form is sent.

All applications are reviewed by members of the Grant Review Committee of the Board of Directors. After careful and thorough review, the Committee selects those congregations who will receive grants.

SOAR! RETIREMENT NEEDS GRANTS
2007-2008 APPLICATIONS

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

The needs of aging religious are a crisis in our nation today. Support Our Aging Religious, Inc. (SOAR!) is prepared to provide assistance on a temporary basis. Religious orders with retired, aged and infirm members at the community, diocesan or regional level may apply for funds to assist with an immediate retirement need.


PRIORITY AREAS FOR FUNDING **

  • Emergency needs.

  • Therapeutic and medical equipment.

  • Adequate and safe housing for retirement.


    ** Examples: bathroom renovations, elevator and mobility, safety, nurse call/alert systems, hospital beds/infirmary renovation, window/roof replacement, kitchen renovation, special needs (speech/vision, water supply, heating).

    EXAMPLES OF UNACCEPTABLE AREAS FOR FUNDING

    SOAR! is unable to provide ongoing living expenses of retired religious in assisted living or skilled nursing facilities.

  • Major contributions to retirement funds.

  • Construction of new buildings.

  • Operational expenses.

  • Cosmetic improvements that do not directly relate to the physical well-being of the retired.

  • Proposals which request partial funding for large projects if additional funds have not been obtained.


    APPLICATION

    Interested applicants representing a particular religious community should complete the application. No pre-application or letter of intent is required.

    Prepare responses to all the questions on the grant application form. The application can be completed online, and then printed. All applications must be typed and submitted in sets of two (one signed original with a copy of audit and one copy without audit - see checklist at the end of the application form).

    The completed application package is due in the SOAR! office on or before 1 November 2007. The Grant Review Committee meets once a year in January. A regular grant will be announced in March and awarded in April. All applications should be mailed; the Office does not accept applications by e-mail, however, you may complete the form online (www.soar-usa.org) then print the application.

    The number and amount of grants awarded will depend on the funds available in any given cycle. Funds to support SOAR! are acquired through direct mail solicitation, individual contributions, local and national fund raising events, and approaches to foundations and corporations. Preference will be given to first time applicants and communities where the need is greatest.

    Communities receiving SOAR! grant awards must sign a contract stipulating the purpose for which the funds are awarded, and submit a complete financial report to SOAR! when the project is completed. (NOTE: Grant award money must be used for the needs originally indicated and the financial report submitted within the same year the award is received and the project completed.)

    Additional information may be obtained by contacting the SOAR! office in Washington, DC 202.529.7627 or by writing to: dvornbrock@soar-usa.org

    Grant Applications

    Click Here for an MS Word file of the 2007-2008 Grants Application.

    Click here to see some frequently asked questions about grants. -->
    Grant Awards

    Due Date:november 1st 2007

    Please contact Deborah Hudson Vornbrock at 202.529.7627 if you have any questions or need further clarification.


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