Grants totaling $67,737 support older adults in Door County

July 27, 2023 – Five nonprofit initiatives serving adults aged 60 and older in Door County were recently awarded grants through The R. Bruce & Alyce S. Kopseker Trust, a fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. The awards invest $67,737 into projects, primarily north of Sturgeon Bay, that will help older adults remain healthy and independent in their homes.

As of the most recent U.S. Census, individuals aged 65 and older comprised roughly a third (32.5%) of Door County’s year-round residents. The desire to remain at home while aging, as well as the accessibility of services and opportunities for community connection were all needs identified by residents in the 2017 “They Is Us” report. The report helped to inform much of the work recipient organizations will carry out with the awarded grants.

“Most people are aware that Door County is one of the older counties in Wisconsin, and the ‘They is Us’ report really crystalized some of the challenges that our community faces,” said Sam Perlman, deputy director and development manager at the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society. “That is 100% what our project is all about – providing a good quality of life for our aging population.”

About the 2023 Kopseker Trust grants recipients:

• Cycling Without Age Door County – Funds will be used to transport and store trishaw bicycles in central locations throughout Door County to reach as many riders as possible. More information at cyclingwithoutage.org.

• Door County Memorial Hospital Ministry Health Care – Funds will expand dementia education in the Northern Door community and support continued evaluation and treatment of those coping with dementia while living independently. More information at dcmedical.org.

• Door-Tran – Funds will support the organization’s volunteer transportation programs to provide free or low-cost transportation services. More information at door-tran.org.

• Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society – Funds will help bring the SPARK! Program to Door County, to provide educational programming for adults with early to mid-stage dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. More information at dcmm.org.

• Washington Island Community Health Program – Funding will support the organization’s efforts to help older adults living on Washington Island remain in their homes and community safely and independently. More information at mywichp.org.

Grants through the R. Bruce and Alyce S. Kopseker Trust are awarded based on a competitive application process. The program offers one grant cycle annually. The next deadline for applications is May 16, 2024.

More information about the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and its grants programs can be found on our Grants Program page.