The Glacier Hills Legacy Fund Golden Opportunities grant program supports organizations and services providing solutions to reduce inequities for vulnerable older adults in Washtenaw County.

The Glacier Hills Legacy Fund (GHLF) Advisory Committee at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) is looking to address the following priorities in Washtenaw County related to the needs of older adults. 

Housing: Housing stability continues to be a growing concern for many older adults in our community.  Increased costs of living are bringing financial concerns to those living on a fixed income.  AAACF is looking to support programs that do the following:

1. Provide eviction prevention programs to keep older adults in their homes
2. Home modification programs that address key issues that will allow older adults to age in place in their own homes.

The AAACF is not looking to fund mortgage/rental assistance programs currently.
 
Food Security: Recent cuts in federal funding and a growing number of older adults in need of food assistance programs continues to elevate food security as a priority issue within Washtenaw County.  The AAACF is looking to support programs that do the following:

1. Offer services that provide consistent access to food for older adults.  These can be food pantry’s, meal delivery services, etc.  Funding will go to support existing programs, creation of new programs, or expansion of existing programs.
2. Culturally specific meal programs that work to provide food options that are reflective of the diverse community of older adults within Washtenaw County.

 
Access to Health Care: Concerns over potential or signaled cuts to Medicare have service providers and community members concerned over the impact on access to health care our older adults could encounter moving forward.  The AAACF is looking to support the following kinds of programs related to health care:

1. Pop-Up health clinics within communities across all of Washtenaw County that support older adults
2. Medical services that go to the homes of older adults OR to congregate sites like senior centers where older adults have a better chance of accessing services.
3. Interventions that address key barriers preventing the access of health care services
4. Programs that help older adults navigate key issues such as signing up for a health plan, navigating how new changes to policies impacts their ability to access services,  identifying  supportive services near them, etc.

 
Transportation: The AAACF recognizes that transportation is a critical part of service delivery within Washtenaw County for older adults.  The AAACF is looking to support transportation programs that connect older adults with key supportive services.  Examples of the kinds of transportation services are as follows:

1. Trips to health care appointments, physical therapy, etc.
2. Transportation efforts to access food or to congregate sites such as community centers or senior centers.

There will be an information session on Thursday August 28th at 11am.  This is not mandatory but organizations are encouraged to attend. To access the information session please click on the following link: Zoom Link for Information Meeting

For any further questions, please contact Christopher Lemon at Clemon@aaacf.org or Chloe Updegraff at Cupdegraff@aaacf.org. 

Application Deadline: Thursday September 25, 2025 at 5 PM.

Application Submission Process:

1. Instructions for how to proceed can be found on the log on page and will also be addressed at the Information Sessions. Please start this process early to allow time for processing and watch the Applicant Tutorial for help getting started.
2. Submit all required narrative sections through the Application Portal by the deadline.