Updated: September 2012
The following frequently asked questions may be helpful in completing the SOAR! grant application. If you have any addition questions please do not hesitate to contact Deborah Hudson Vornbrock at dvornbrock@soar-usa.org or by phone at 202.529.7627.
Who is eligible?
The needs of aging religious are a crisis in our nation today. Support Our Aging Religious, Inc. (SOAR!) is prepared to provide assistance on a temporary basis. Religious orders with retired, aged and infirm members at the community, diocesan or regional level may apply for funds to assist with an immediate retirement need. Please remember that funding in consecutive years is not automatically approved. A congregation may submit one grant application per cycle in which funding is requested for one project. SOAR! will not accept multiple applications from a single congregation. If the project encompasses more than one location (for example, medical equipment for multiple facilities or houses of a single congregation) please detail the request in a single application.
What are the priority areas for funding?
- Needs directly related to retired, elderly or infirm members of religious congregations
- Emergency needs
- Therapeutic and medical equipment
- Adequate and safe housing for retirement
Examples: bathroom renovations, elevator and mobility, safety, nurse call/alert systems, hospital beds/infirmary renovation, window/roof replacement, kitchen renovation, special needs (speech/vision, water supply, heating). An application for capital improvements to buildings will only be considered if the project directly impacts upon quality of life of aging religious.
What are some examples of unacceptable areas for funding?
SOAR! is unable to provide ongoing living expenses of retired religious in assisted living or skilled nursing facilities.
- Major contributions to retirement funds.
- Construction of new buildings.
- Operational or living expenses.
- Cosmetic improvements that do not directly relate to the physical well-being of the retired.
- Proposals which request partial funding for large projects if additional funds have not been obtained.
What is the average amount of a grant award?
SOAR! makes grants between $1,000 and $25,000.
Will SOAR! fund our congregation’s capital campaign?
SOAR! ordinarily does not award grants for capital campaigns. SOAR! will consider applications for a particular project within a campaign if the project benefits aging religious and can be completed independently of the overall capital campaign. SOAR! will not make an outright donation to a capital campaign.
Does SOAR! fund requests for vehicles?
SOAR! will consider requests for funds to purchase a vehicle. All grant applications for vehicles must describe the intended use of the vehicle including the percentage of use by aging religious and the number of aging religious who will be served by the vehicle.
What does SOAR! look for when determining whether or not to fund a grant?
The Board looks for need, inadequate community resources to address that critical need, and the long term impact of the grant award on elderly members.
Should congregations whose applications were declined reapply?
The Board of Directors of SOAR! welcomes applications from religious congregations that need assistance to provide critically needed items to care for their retired and infirm members. Grant submissions from congregations that are more than 50% unfunded for retirement will receive priority. The Board cannot guarantee project funding.
When should a congregation apply for an Emergency Grant?
Emergency Grants are awarded to congregations when there is an extremely urgent need that affects the safety and well being of retired members of a religious community. Some examples of past emergency grants include: a fire alarm system mandated by the state fire marshal in order for the retirement facility to remain open and a new air conditioning system to protect the health of elderly members of a congregation from heat related illnesses.
For additional information or clarification please contact Deborah Hudson Vornbrock at 202.529.7627 or by email at dvornbrock@soar-usa.org.
