The Edward D. (Ned) Spurgeon Grants in Law and Aging are presented annually to organizations engaged in education, research and service to help improve the quality of life for older adults, including those who are poor or otherwise isolated by language, culture, lack of education, disability or other barriers. The grants support new or ongoing work in the advancement of public policies, laws, and/or programs. Grants are made by solicitation only.
The grants honor the memory of Ned Spurgeon who passed away in 2021. His leadership, teaching, scholarship, advocacy, and philanthropy have made lasting impacts in the field of law and aging.
Spurgeon Grant Recipients
2024
American Bar Association Commission on Law & Aging
Support for research and advocacy efforts and sponsorship of the 2024 National Aging & Law Conference.
Support for the Center's Racial justice in Homeownership Project to protect and preserve sustainable homeownership for older homeowners of color.
2023
General operating support to address inequities in the guardianship system. The award also recognizes the 50th Anniversary of Justice in Aging as the agency moves forward into its next fifty years.
Support for advocacy and litigation efforts helping older tenants maintain housing, access needed services to keep their housing, and to develop related training and other educational materials for other advocates.
2022
American Bar Association Commission on Law & Aging
Support for the production of a handbook defending against guardianship. The handbook will address and provide in-depth guidance on best trial practices and core ethical issues when representing individuals with cognitive impairment subject to guardianship. National experts will be brought together virtually to produce and edit the handbook in both print and digital versions. The handbook will also form the basis for a national education initiative for lawyers.
Center for Elder Law & Justice
The Center for Elder Law & Justice located in Buffalo, New York provides free legal services to older adults, persons with disabilities, and low-income individuals in nine western New York State counties. The Spurgeon Grant supports the Center's health advocacy efforts especially with helping older adults navigate health insurance programs and long-term care issues.
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of Justice in Aging, support for ongoing work to address housing insecurity and homelessness among older adults.
2021
American Bar Association Commission on Law & Aging
General support in recognition of the commission's leadership in strengthening and securing the legal rights, dignity, autonomy, quality of life, and quality of care of aging persons through research, policy development, advocacy, education, and training.
General support for the agency's housing and homelessness prevention advocacy and training efforts. Justice in Aging launched a new housing and homelessness project in the fall of 2020 that focuses on breaking down systemic barriers to housing and promoting equitable solutions toward building a world where everyone can age safely.
.
