The historic provider of senior services in West Philadelphia is now a philanthropy dedicated to supporting organizations serving older adults across the city.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - January 10, 2023— Ralston Center today announced that the West Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization is relaunching as The Sarah Ralston Foundation. The Foundation’s focus is on funding nonprofits and other organizations that improve access to affordable, equitable, and high-quality care and housing; prevent isolation; provide care for behavioral and mental health issues; support caregivers; and coordinate the care of older adults in Philadelphia.
“We’ve always been an organization that adapts to the time and the current need at hand,” says Executive Director Lynette Killen. “We’ve taken a hard look at Philadelphia’s changing demographics, healthcare inequities, and an aging population. With no other regional foundation dedicated to the needs of older people, we realized that the best way for us to continue to serve this population in Philadelphia is as a funder, supporting nonprofit organizations doing great and innovative work for aging adults across the entire city of Philadelphia County.”
The transformation involved the sale of Ralston House, the organization’s historic headquarters on 3817 Chestnut Street. The Foundation’s new offices are located on Broad Street.
The Sarah Ralston Foundation will be distributing approximately $2 million annually through both general operating support and innovative project support grants. The deadline for the first cycle of General Operating Support grants is April 1, 2023. The deadline for the first cycle of Innovative Project Support grants is September 1, 2023.
Learn more about The Sarah Ralston Foundation.
About The Sarah Ralston Foundation
The Sarah Ralston Foundation supports and enhances the quality of life of vulnerable and underserved older adults residing in Philadelphia County. Born from the Ralston Center, an organization with a long history, The Sarah Ralston Foundation seeks to continue that impact by using its resources to give grants and to serve as a community partner to organizations serving older adults in Philadelphia.