The ElderCare Trust Fund is now accepting proposals from public and private nonprofit organizations to develop innovative services that help older adults maintain maximum independence and dignity.

Funding for the program comes from voluntary contributions on state income tax return forms and private charitable donations.

Grant applications are available on the Lt. Governor's Office on Aging website www.aging.sc.gov/Providers or interested parties may contact: Eve Barth, ElderCare Trust Fund, Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging, 1301 Gervais Street, Suite 200, Columbia, South Carolina 29201,(803) 734-9872 or barthe@aging.sc.gov. The deadline for grant application submission is 4 pm on April 3, 2009.