Grant Seekers' FAQs

Impact1890 is not awarding any new grants at this time. Like most of our peers, NLCS, Impact1890’s sponsor organization, has been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to this, we had to make some difficult decisions which includes the decision to halt any further grants at this time. We started this program because we know it is the right thing to do and we admire the positive difference our partners are making in the lives of older adults. We look forward to working with you in the future. 

No, Impact1890 is an organization that is a part of the Lutheran tradition that believes in hospitality for all people and that all people, regardless of religion, are valued children of God. As a result, there are no religious requirements either for grant recipients or the people they serve.

Beginning with the 2020 grants, the Board of Directors has changed its funding philosophy with regard to the length of grants. The Board would like to encourage both shorter term and longer term funding, depending on the purpose of the grant.

• If an organization has never received a grant from Impact1890 or its predecessor, the Community Impact program, it can apply only for a grant of one year.
• If an organization has received a prior grant from Impact1890 or its predecessor, it has the option of applying for:
  • A grant of one year, or
  • A multi-year grant of no longer than three years. If the proposal is for two or three years and the proposal is favorably reviewed, the Board reserves the right to award a grant of a shorter period. A multi-year proposal may request the same award amount for each year or variable amounts. Note, however, that years two and three of funding are contingent upon making reasonable progress toward the stated goals of the grant.

There is no longer a three-year cap on the number of years that an organization can receive a grant.

Grants have ranged in size from $1,000 to $22,000.

Learn more about what we fund.

Yes, we will fund general operating expenses, if the organization only serves older adults.

Under certain circumstances, Impact1890 may award grants to national organizations. However, your organization must have an office located in and serve seniors living in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia.

No. Impact1890 awards grants to nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

Impact1890 utilizes a standard due-diligence process to assess the qualifications of each proposal. Staff review every proposal to ensure the basic requirements are met—geographic location of program/project, tax status of organization, and purpose of proposal is to serve older adults. The Board may also ask Impact1890 staff to provide preliminary funding recommendations.

The proposal form opens in June and is due at the end of July. Announcements of whether a proposal is funded and, if so, at what amount are shared via e-mail in November. Learn more about the grant cycle here.

There are many fine organizations in our area that serve seniors. We want to be as certain as possible that no organization has, or is perceived as having, an unfair advantage in being awarded a grant. If it is determined that an organization has a close relationship with Impact1890, NLCS, its affiliates, board members, and/or senior managers, the organization will not be eligible for a grant.

Conflict of interest includes, but is not limited to, common board members, doing business with National Lutheran or one of its affiliates, or the hiring of a former National Lutheran or affiliate staff member. 

The definition of older adult and senior differs among organizations, which is why we ask that you specify the demographic of individuals served in your proposal. However, in most cases, the individuals served must be 50 years of age or older.

No. The purpose of the grants is to provide support to organizations that serve seniors who are aging in place, outside of a long-term care facility.

If your organization does not receive a grant and you would like to discuss this, contact the Executive Manager at grants@impact1890.org. Please remember, however, that the request for grant funding far exceeds the amount that is available and, unfortunately, not all worthwhile programs can be funded.