All the Lonely People Grant

The All the Lonely People Grant to Support Programs and Organizations that Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation

“Social isolation is a danger to health, comparable to the risks of smoking, high blood pressure and obesity. In our film we demonstrate some solutions.”

– Stu Maddux, Director, “All the Lonely People” documentary

Everyone remembers this famous refrain from Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles, “Ah, look at all the lonely people.” Nearly 60 years after the song came out, multiple Miami Valley community organizations came together to sponsor the Ohio premiere of the documentary film, All the Lonely People. The film highlights social isolation and loneliness — a little-known global epidemic. Check out the “Miami Valley Resource Guide” that was compiled for that event.

Thanks to the generosity of numerous greater Dayton nonprofit organizations, more than $9,000 has been distributed to recipients of the All the Lonely People Grant Fund. 2024 Grant applications are now being accepted.

The Grant Committee is looking to fund programs that connect individuals through technology, in-person events, or through other means such as the simple yet creative installation of a Happy to Chat Bench.

Grants will be awarded between $1,000 and $3,000 for new programs or projects. This can include existing programs which are currently inactive due to funding restraints, or for a creative new idea you have that is in need of financial resources.

The grant application can be found HERE and submitted online.

The deadline for 2024 grant proposals is November 1st. Awardees will be notified by December 10th and the grant money will be distributed by the end of 2024. Funded projects must begin in 2025 with completion no later than the end of 2026.

We look forward to hearing about your ideas and believe these funds will foster connections for the lonely and isolated across our communities. Questions? Contact us today.

Dayton All the Lonely People Grant Committee:

• Richelle Frabotta, LGBTQ Health Initiatives Project Manager, Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County
• Kery Gray, Commissioner’s Assistant, Commissioner Carolyn Rice
• Gloria Hurwitz, VP Advancement, United Church Homes
• Beth Long-Higgins, VP Engagement and director, Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging, UCH
• Becky King, Director of Spiritual Care, Trinity Communities of Greater Dayton, UCH
• Olivia Long, Grant Development Coordinator, UCH
• Kim Moeller, Project and Special Event Coordinator, UCH

About the Documentary

All the Lonely People is a documentary exploring the growing epidemic of chronic loneliness and social isolation affecting individuals all over the world.

Director Stu Maddux and Producer Joe Applebaum gathered personal stories of chronic loneliness impacting people everywhere. The film explores unique solutions and programs that are helping to reduce social isolation while building community. These solutions can work right in our own backyard. Director Maddux states, “Social isolation is a danger to health, comparable to the risks of smoking, high blood pressure and obesity. COVID-19 has increased the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness worldwide. In our film we demonstrate some solutions.”