The Resource Round Up is a collection of resources and information that MNRAAA feels would benefit our aging services partners. We will send quarterly or as needed to share timely content. We welcome your feedback! 

Other Regional Grants: 2025 Regional Exchanges / Age Friendly Minnesota

Register Here:

Committing to Caregiving 2025: Investing in Caregiver Consultation

Join Dementia Friendly America (DFA) for this “potluck” celebration of our lively and growing Dementia Friendly movement!

Let’s take this moment—together—to acknowledge how far we’ve come and rededicate ourselves to this important work. We’ll be sharing our gratitude for people and organizations from every corner of the dementia-friendly movement and sharing what’s to come for DFA.

There is so much in store! Our Dementia Friendsgiving will feature:

• Keynote Speaker Teepa Snow, a dementia care specialist, educator, and advocate focused on supporting those living with dementia in a positive and respectful manner.
• Dementia Friendly Showcase: Panels on starting or strengthening dementia-friendly communities, Dementia Friends programs, Memory Cafes, and Giving Voice choirs.
• “Potluck” Celebration: An opportunity to share what’s meaningful to you.
• Lived Experience Panel: Hear what people living with dementia and care partners have to say about what makes a community dementia friendly.
• What’s Happening and What’s Next: State of the movement and what’s to come for DFA.
• Awards Ceremony: A celebration of DFA Communities, Memory Cafes, Dementia Friends Champions, and movement leaders.
• New to the Movement? Become a Dementia Friend and learn how to get your community or organization involved.

Register Now! Everyone is welcome to this potluck celebration of the dementia-friendly movement! Whether you’re bringing a story, a friend, or your enthusiasm and curiosity, you’re an essential part of this movement.

Register Here: Friendsgiving - Dementia Friendly America

There are two open grants available for the Healthy Brain Initiative, due November 12th. See details below.

Purpose: The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Champions Program supports tribally-led health programs and urban Indian organizations in implementing public health strategies on brain health, caregiving and dementia in their community.

Purpose: The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Strategists Program increases the capacity of local health departments (LHDs) and their community partners to address dementia.

For more information and to apply:

Alzheimer's Association Submission Manager

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Employee Scholarship Grant and Loan Forgiveness Program, authorized by Minnesota Statutes Section 144.1503 assists HCBS provider organizations in developing their direct care workforce. The program awards grants to HCBS organizations to provide scholarships for employees pursuing additional training or education. The program also repays qualified educational loans for eligible employees nominated by HCBS provider organizations. Scholarship and loan forgiveness applies to nursing and other health care fields, in courses of study that lead to career advancement within the organization or broader HCBS field.

2026 Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Employee Scholarship Grant and Loan Forgiveness Program Grant Request for Proposal (PDF)

An informational webinar will be held on November 4 at 1:00 PM CT

Join the Teams meeting on your computer, mobile app, or room device.

Strengthening Social Connection in Communities

The Aging Network has an essential and growing role in promoting social connection for older adults and caregivers. In addition to nearly all AAAs offering programs or activities that specifically promote social engagement, 15 percent of community-based organizations (CBOs) with health care contracts reported providing social engagement services under those contracts (Aging and Disability Business Institute, 2023). The goal of Strengthening Social Connection in Communities is to improve the health of older adults and their caregivers through replication and sustainability of evidence-based and evidence-informed social connection programs in communities and promoting alignment with Age-Friendly Ecosystem initiatives.

USAging is seeking to award 12-month seed grants, not exceeding $35,000 each, to up to 10 organizations within the Aging Network. The application deadline is December 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET.

Grant Funding and Development Primer for Aging Services

Hosted by Trellis

Tuesday, December 2, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM CT - Online Event

As the new year approaches, let's explore some of the potential grant funding opportunities on the horizon and review effective strategies for developing impactful grant proposals in support of services for older adults and caregivers. During this webinar, participants will:

• Learn about potential funding opportunities in aging that may align with your current, emerging, or future program plans.
• Review important considerations and strategies at each step of the grant cycle, before, during, and after the grant proposal development.
• Understand critical trends in funding that may impact application strategy and implementation of a grant award.
• Connect with resources that can provide guidance and support in program and funding development.

Intended audience: Program directors and development staff working in the aging and caregiving sector who are involved in applying for grant opportunities or would like to expand their skill set. No experience in grant writing required. 



Register Here: Grant Funding and Development Primer for Aging Services

This year, nonprofits are navigating a shifting federal legal landscape marked by increased scrutiny, evolving compliance requirements, and executive actions that impact funding, operations, and advocacy work. Recent federal priorities — such as heightened enforcement of fraud prevention, changes to tax-exempt regulations, and restrictions on certain forms of political engagement—pose challenges to organizations, particularly those whose missions intersect with contested policy areas. Additionally, nonprofits receiving federal funds face greater oversight, requiring stronger internal controls and transparent reporting practices.

Read more here: Minnesota Nonprofit Legal Services Initiative

Two days. Three funder-focused sessions. One free 2026 Minnesota Grants Directory. Discover Minnesota’s most active private, community, and corporate funders.

Read more here: Minnesota Grantmakers - Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Vision and hearing are the primary ways we get information about our environment and communicate with others. As a result, age-related hearing and vision loss can impact physical health, emotional well-being, safety, and independence. As people age, the number of people who experience significant age-related hearing and vision loss increases: almost 50% of people over 70 have significant hearing loss, and about 12% have significant vision loss. With an understanding of what seniors are experiencing and what you can do to assist them, you can improve the quality of care you provide, and help reduce frustration and isolation, ultimately supporting seniors to experience a better quality of life.



For more information and to take the course:

Supporting Seniors with Age-Related Hearing and Vision Loss

Help your organization weather this uncertainty.

Nonprofits should take action to protect their organizations and the people they serve from the negative impacts caused by a government shutdown.

Advisory Council: The Board shall appoint individuals from the public to the Advisory Council (the “Council”) for a period of three (3) years. A Council member may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms. The Council shall be made up of at least 50% older adults. Composition shall include:

• Older Adults;
• Caregiver(s);
• Health Care Provider Organization(s);
• Service Provider(s);
• Local Elected Officials; and
• Individuals with Leadership Experience.

The Board shall appoint a Board member to serve as a non-voting, ex officio liaison to the Advisory Council. The Council shall advise MNRAAA in the development and administration of the Area Plan on Aging, provide Area Plan updates to their respective communities or associations, conduct public hearings, and represent the interests of older adults and caregivers. The Council shall be given regular updates on the Aging Network with the opportunity for comment. The Council shall only work with the Area Plan as it relates to the Older Americans Act.

If you are interested in joining our Board, please contact Jason Swanson

Medicare Open Enrollment

New in Medicare for 2026

Madalyn Iles

Development Specialist

miles@mnraaa.org

Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging

ph: 507.387.1256

fx: 507.387.6223