2023 IMPACT REPORT We support and enhance the quality of life of vulnerable and underserved older adults residing in Philadelphia County.
A Message from Executive Director, Lynette Killen Our organization is the first and only charitable foundation in Philadelphia that is solely dedicated to funding nonprofits serving the city's vulnerable elderly population. I couldn't be more pleased with what we have accomplished and I am excited for what the future will bring. Our spring grant cycle which funds general operations and our fall grant cycle, which funds 'innovative projects,' brought forth a wide range of eligible applicants from nonprofits, both large and small. The word has clearly gotten out about our mission and we look forward to helping even more in 2024 and beyond. We exist to help these worthy nonprofits accomplish their mission and, in the process, we collectively improve the lives of many older adults throughout the city.
Our Inaugural Year The Sarah Ralston Foundation was born from the sale of the Ralston House, founded in 1817 as Philadelphia’s first home for aging women and single women who had fallen on hard times. The Foundation funds organizations providing services and programs that include: Access to affordable, equitable and high-quality care Behavioral and mental health issues Caregiver support Care coordination Housing Loneliness and social isolation issues
I am incredibly thankful to everyone who helped us to set the wheels of the Sarah Ralston Foundation in motion. I am hopeful that the funding we provide brings new energy and focus to the issues that impact older Philadelphians. It is a demographic category that has traditionally been underfunded and underserved. In the spirit of trust-based philanthropy, we look forward to collaborating and partnering with more of these incredible organizations that are working hard to remedy this imbalance. Together with our partners, we seek to improve access to affordable, high-quality care, care coordination, food and housing, to advocate for their rights, prevent isolation, provide care for behavioral and mental health issues and support caregivers of older adults in our great city. The Sarah Ralston staff, Board of Directors and I all feel truly fortunate to be in a position to help and I know that Sarah Ralston would be proud of our continued work for the older demographic. I am thankful to all of our partners, supporters and friends. With Gratitude,
Lynette Killen Executive Director
As the result of our 2023 spring and fall grant cycles, The Sarah Ralston Foundation currently partners with nearly fifty nonprofit organizations throughout Philadelphia County. We have granted funds totaling $2,000,000. The grantee organizations assist our elders in a variety of ways including food and housing support, programming and advocacy throughout the spectrum of our funding areas.
Impact Snapshot General Operating Support 28
Innovative Project Support 20
Nonprofit Organizations Provided General Operating Support
Nonprofit Organizations Provided Innovative Project Support
$750,000
$1,250,000
In General Operating Support Grants
In Innovative Project Support Grants
From Our General Operating Support Grantees
From Our Innovative Project Support Grantees
The wonderful advantage of this unrestricted grant is allowing us to dream, experiment, and explore! We will examine emerging needs and have the time to explore solutions.” ~ Generations Online
"Food insecurity and loneliness are major challenges facing today's older adults. PCA is thrilled to have this opportunity to reach even more people through an innovative approach to provide food and friendship.“ ~ Philadelphia Corporation on Aging
“SOWN will utilize this grant to provide much needed services to reduce loneliness and social isolation for lowincome older adults in Philadelphia.” ~ SOWN
“Nurturing social connections through peer counseling can mitigate isolation and loneliness, which is the key to preventing a host of poor physical and mental health outcomes for seniors. This support from Sarah Ralston Foundation will help Intercommunity Action foster these critical connections in senior community centers throughout the city. ~ Intercommunity Action
“This grant will support KITHS with continuing to serve the Southeast Asian immigrant and refugee older adult population.” ~ Kiths Integrated and Targeted Human Services “This generous grant will greatly impact our low-income seniors as we will be able to expand our meal programs, transportation services and enriching social programs.” ~ Federation Housing
“Support from this grant will allow us to continue delivering caregiver support programs at the Penn Memory Center. Time Together, The Caring Collective, memory cafes, caregiver classes and more are not covered by insurance, so we rely on grants and philanthropy to deliver these programs. ~ Penn Memory Center
Nonprofit Partner Directory General Operating Support Nonprofit Partners
Innovative Project Support Nonprofit Parters
ARTZ Philadelphia Broad Street Ministry CARIE Center in the Park Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels Face to Face Federation Housing Generations Online ICAP Ralston Mercy-Douglass House Kith’s Lutheran Children and Family Services Masjid Al-Wasatiya Morivivi Latino Cancer Support Group Northern Living Center Northwest Community Court Program Northwest Mutual Aid Collective Penn’s Village Philadelphia Aging People in Prison PCA Emergency Fund Rebuilding Together Philadelphia SOWN The Center Philadelphia Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation Urban Affair Coalition - Grand Central Urban Resources and Development Corporation UUH Outreach Program Yoga 4 the World
African Family Health Organization Caring for Friends Center in the Park Council for Relationships Face to Face Feast of Justice The Health Federation of Philadelphia Health Promotion Council Inglis Intercommunity Action Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Greater Philadelphia Jeff Kornblau Partners for Patient Advocacy (JKPPA) Lutheran Social Mission Society Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center Mazzoni Center Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) Penn Memory Center (PMC) Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation (PJMF) SeniorLAW Center SOWN
123 South Broad Street, Suite 2245 Philadelphia, PA 19109 www.sarahralstonfoundation.org (215) 386-2984