Jerry Williams Memorial Fund
for Prevention of Older Adult Suicide
$20,000 Funding Opportunity for FY2025-26

Grant funding totaling $20,000 is available for programs supporting the prevention of older adult suicide in Ohio.

The Jerry Williams Memorial Fund was established in 2023 through the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation to honor the memory of Jerry Williams, who lost his life to suicide at age 74. The fund is dedicated to saving the lives of older adults, a group often overlooked in suicide prevention outreach activities.

According to statistics by the Centers for Disease Control, suicide rates are higher per capita among older adults, particularly those over 65. Historically, less attention has been paid to research and prevention efforts targeting this age group than younger populations. The Jerry Williams Memorial Fund was created to correct this oversight. The fund supports the development of creative yet practical ideas of how best to tackle stigma and reach senior adults to reduce the rising rate of suicide among them.

Eligible applicants include Ohio-based suicide prevention organizations, programs, services, and efforts targeting Ohioans 65 and older. The application deadline is October 31, 2025, with award notifications by November 15, 2025. Projects will run from November 2025 through June 30, 2026. Preference will be given to projects that can be replicated and scaled across the state. Depending on the scope of applications received, more than one project may be funded at varying levels.

More information about the fund and the application is available at Jerry Williams Memorial Funding Application | Jerry Walk

If you have questions about the Jerry Williams Memorial Fund, please contact Sandy Williams at: jerrywilliamsfund@gmail.com.

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Application Deadline Is No Later Than October 31, 2025

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