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.
Important Dates
The submission window for our 2026-2027 grant cycle is closed. Please sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media for updates on the 2027-2028 program timeline.
Grant Overview
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Funding Amount: Up to $12,000 for one-year programs.
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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.
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Focus Areas: Arts, culture, music, intergenerational activities, physical exercise, community engagement, cognitive health / wellbeing and reducing stigma.
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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:
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Innovation: Originality, uniqueness, and creativity of the program.
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Authentic Engagement: Effectiveness in engaging persons living with dementia.
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Principles Alignment: How well the program reflects the I’m Still Here Principles.
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Outcomes: Expected results and measurable outcomes.
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Underserved Focus: Efforts to reach underserved populations.
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Replicabilty: Ability for others to replicate the idea.
Grant Stages
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.
Submission Instructions
The submission window has closed for the 2026-2027 grant cycle.
Funding Guidelines
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.
At this time, we are only able to fund projects based in the United States. We are actively exploring ways to create new opportunities for innovators outside of the USA and we would love to stay connected. We encourage you to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn so that you'll be among the first to know when new pathways become available.
Ineligible Uses of Funds
Grant funds may not be used for:
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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.
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Purchase of Third-Party Programs, Products, or Services
Including but not limited to:-
Commercially available dementia training programs
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Commercially available dementia engagement programs
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Equipment purchases
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Implementation or purchase of established care models
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Funding Guidelines
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Seed Funding Only
Grants are intended to support new, innovative projects that require initial funding to design, pilot, and evaluate. -
No Multi-Year Funding
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. -
Innovation Requirement
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
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How the approach introduces new ideas, populations, settings, or methods
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The unique value the project brings
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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.
