Fostering Dementia Care Innovation with Maude’s Ventures

From Personal Journey to Collective Hope—How Maude’s Ventures Empowers Dementia Care Innovation

Guest Article by Giulia Benvenuto

Maude’s Ventures, an initiative by The Ferry Foundation, was born from the profound impact of Richard Ferry’s caregiving journey with his beloved Maude. Witnessing firsthand the limitations of the current system, Richard was deeply motivated to empower others on the front lines of dementia care. He established Maude’s Ventures – a program designed to invest in groundbreaking ideas with the potential to improve the lives of those living with dementia and their caregivers.

Maude’s Ventures provides seed funding up to $50,000 for innovations in dementia care. The application process is designed to be accessible and streamlined. With a concise two-page proposal outlining your innovative idea and up to two letters of support from current, past, or prospective partners, you can take the first step towards turning your vision into reality. This financial support allows grantees to overcome initial hurdles, refine their solutions, and begin making a tangible difference in the lives they aim to serve.

Maude’s Ventures operates on the fundamental belief that innovation in dementia care can come from anywhere. They recognize that impactful solutions may not always be rooted in cutting-edge technology. The grant competition is open to a diverse pool of applicants in the early stages of their innovation journey– individuals, for-profit and non-profit organizations alike. Whether you’re a passionate entrepreneur with a tech-driven concept, a caregiver with a creative approach to daily living, or a non-profit organization fostering community-based support systems, Maude’s Ventures wants to hear from you.

Take the story of EMC2, a past winner of the Maude’s Ventures grant competition. Their vision was to expand the reach of Memory Cafes, welcoming spaces designed to combat social isolation and foster connections for people with dementia and their caregivers. With the support of Maude’s Ventures, EMC2 is now working to sustainably expand their network of cafes, from 900 to 9,000, bringing joy and purpose to countless individuals across the country.

The call to action is clear: if you have a groundbreaking idea that holds the potential to improve the lives of those living with dementia and their caregivers, Maude’s Ventures wants to hear from you. Visit their website – https://maudesventures.org/ – today and submit your application – https://maudesventures.org/apply-2/.

Together, let’s improve dementia care and build a future filled with hope, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose for those living with this condition. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 5th. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the solution!

Giulia Benvenuto is the Program Coordinator for Maude’s Ventures. Send an email to giulia.benvenuto@ferryfound.org for any questions about Maude’s Ventures and the grant competition.