A Beacon of Hope: Maude’s Ventures Lights the Way in Dementia Care

Maude’s Ventures is a purpose-driven initiative by The Ferry Foundation, committed to launching innovative and scalable ideas for enhancing dementia and Alzheimer’s care. The application period for the 2024 Maude’s Ventures grant competition opens on May 13 and closes on August 5.

If you have an innovative idea to improve the lives of those living with dementia and their caregivers, here’s your chance to make a difference. The application process is simple, requiring only a two-page proposal and two letters of support.

Maude’s Ventures empowers early-stage entrepreneurs, individuals, nonprofits, and businesses with grants to launch new organizations, tools, programs, or resources that improve dementia care. Valued at $50,000, these grants are designed to be the fuel that propels groundbreaking ideas into reality.

Maude’s Ventures is more than just a grant program; it’s a story of love and unwavering commitment. Richard Ferry, the founder, knows the challenges of dementia care all too well. He walked this difficult path for 10 years with his beloved Maude, experiencing firsthand the limitations of the current system. This personal journey fueled a fire within him, a fire to make a difference.

Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, is rapidly becoming a public health crisis. It’s projected to be the most expensive disease in America by 2050, placing a massive strain on families and the healthcare system. The heartbreaking truth is that, unlike other diseases, the primary burden of Alzheimer’s isn’t treatment, it’s care.

The impact of Maude’s Ventures is undeniable. Past winners serve as shining testaments to the program’s ability to foster real change. Take Ella by Taproot, for example, an AI-based digital assistant that lessens behavioral issues in dementia patients, allowing them to age safely at home while ensuring a smooth transition between family care and long-term facilities.

Another success story is Lorenzo’s House, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering families struggling with young-onset dementia. This organization provides much-needed support and guidance at a time when families often feel lost and alone.

EMC2, an alliance spearheaded by Anne Basting, is expanding access to Memory Cafes across the country, providing safe spaces for dementia patients to socialize and connect—a testament to Maude’s Ventures’ ability to create large-scale change.

Join us in our mission to improve the well-being of people living with dementia and their caregivers!

Contributor Giulia Benvenuto is an executive assistant with The Ferry Foundations. Visit Maude’s Ventures or follow Maude’s Ventures on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to learn more. E-mail giulia.benvenuto@ferryfound.org to learn more about the application process.

Maude’s Awards: A sister program to Maude’s Ventures

Related to Maude’s Ventures, Maude’s Awards, which makes annual $25,000 awards to three organizations and up to five $5,000 awards to individuals excelling in care for persons living with dementia and their care partners. Applications for the 2024 Maude’s Awards opened earlier this year and are due May 13. For more information, visit maudesawards.org.