The I'm Still Here Foundation Innovative Program Grants

The I'm Still Here Foundation Innovative Program Grants is sponsored by The I'm Still Here Foundation. This program supports innovative, non-pharmacological programs that engage people living with dementia through the arts, culture, movement, and community engagement.

APPLY FOR A GRANT | I'm Still Here Apply for an Innovation Grant The I’m Still Here Foundation invites dementia innovators to apply for a grant that reflects the I’m Still Here Principles and advances meaningful engagement and quality of life for people living with dementia. ​ Click here to download the LOI Funding Amount: Up to $12,000 for one-year programs.

Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations or individuals that create nonpharmacologic programs that demonstrate innovation, authentic engagement, and measurable impact. Please note: Individual applicants must either be employed by a nonprofit organization or have an established fiscal sponsor in order to be eligible.

Focus Areas: Arts, culture, music, intergenerational activities, physical exercise, community engagement, cognitive health / wellbeing and reducing stigma. Criteria: Must align with the I’m Still Here Principles and meet defined criteria. Please review the Grant Guidelines below before submitting a Letter of Interest.

Proposal Assessment Guidelines Proposals will be reviewed based on: Innovation: Originality, uniqueness, and creativity of the program. Authentic Engagement: Effectiveness in engaging persons living with dementia. Principles Alignment: How well the program reflects the I’m Still Here Principles.

Outcomes: Expected results and measurable outcomes. Underserved Focus: Efforts to reach underserved populations. Replicabilty : Ability for others to replicate the idea.

Stage One: Letter of Interest (LOI) Purpose: A brief general description of the proposed program, addressing the assessment criteria. Stage Two: Full Proposal (RFP) Purpose: Expands upon the LOI with greater detail about the proposed program. The submission window has closed for the 2026-2027 grant cycle.

To ensure alignment with the mission and intent of the Innovation Grant program, funding is limited to projects that are original, engagement-focused, and designed to pilot new approaches. The following guidelines clarify how grant funds may and may not be used. Applicants must have 501(c)(3) tax status as a registered nonprofit organization OR have an eligible fiscal sponsor.

Grant funds may not be used for: Capital or Construction Projects Including building, renovation, or physical infrastructure improvements. Establishment of Memory Cafés Funding is not intended to support the launch or operation of traditional Memory Café models. Consultant or Expert Fees Hiring external consultants, trainers, or subject matter experts to implement a program is not allowed.

Non-Commercial Use of Funds Grant funds may not be used to develop, produce, or pilot products, tools, or services intended for commercialization or sale. Projects supported through this grant must be designed for community benefit and shared learning, rather than for generating profit or creating marketable products.

Purchase of Third-Party Programs, Products, or Services Including but not limited to: Commercially available dementia training programs Commercially available dementia engagement programs Implementation or purchase of established care models Grants are intended to support new, innovative projects that require initial funding to design, pilot, and evaluate.

Each funded project must be completed within the designated grant period of one year. Repeat Funding Limitations Requests for a second year of funding for the same project are generally not eligible, unless there is a clearly defined and substantially evolved next phase. Projects that are similar to previously funded initiatives will only be considered if they demonstrate a distinct and meaningful new innovation.

Applicants must clearly articulate: What differentiates their project from prior funded work How the approach introduces new ideas, populations, settings, or methods The unique value the project brings Standalone Project Requirement Grant funding cannot be used to fill budget gaps or serve as a supplement to larger, already-funded initiatives in existing projects.

For example, requests to cover the remaining portion of a larger project budget (e.g., seeking $10,000 to complete a $50,000 project already largely funded) are not aligned with the intent of this grant.