Elder Voice Advocates Awarded $840,000 Bush Foundation Grant to Advance Advocacy for Older and Disabled Adults

Elder Voice Advocates (EVA) proudly announces it has received an $840,000 grant from the Bush Foundation to further its mission of protecting older and disabled adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation in long-term care settings.

“The work of Elder Voice Advocates is so important to make our region better for everyone,” says Lyndsay Ulrickson, grantmaking officer at the Bush Foundation. “So many families find themselves in really tough situations when trying to find long-term care for aging loved ones and the Elder Care IQ tool will be key to helping support families while also advocating for better policies and practices to eradicate elder abuse throughout South Dakota. We’re thrilled to support this work as it spreads throughout our region.”

“Elder Care IQ represents a meaningful step forward in connecting South Dakotans with the information they need to choose high-quality, compassionate care,” said Melissa Magstadt, South Dakota Department of Health Secretary. “This partnership with Elder Voice Advocates enhances transparency and gives individuals and families a trusted place to begin their care journey—one that prioritizes dignity, safety, and informed decision-making.”

Kristine Sundberg, Executive Director of EVA, expressed gratitude for the grant, stating, “We are incredibly thankful for this support, which comes at a critical time. Approximately 11,000 South Dakotans and 90,000 Minnesotans live in senior care facilities, and unfortunately, many endure neglect and abuse. This grant will enhance our tools and help us advocate for greater transparency, quality care standards, and accountability.”

This two-year initiative will bolster EVA’s efforts in several key areas:

• Enhancing the Elder Care IQ Screening Tool: Expanding this first-of-its-kind, free, interactive platform, that reveals a provider’s history of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and survey findings.
• Launching Elder Care IQ in South Dakota: Introducing the tool in South Dakota to provide families with essential background information on long-term care providers.
• Strengthening Public Policy Advocacy: Amplifying EVA’s influence on legislative reforms to better protect vulnerable adults with improved oversight and accountability and support of the direct care givers.
• Expanding Data Analytics: Improving EVA’s analytical capabilities to provide deeper insights into long-term care trends for consumers, media, legislators and regulators.
• Addressing Rural Care Challenges: Focusing on the unique issues in rural communities, where gaps in availability, oversight and care quality often exist.
• Actively Cultivating Funding Partnerships: Pursuing grants and individual donations to ensure EVA’s long-term impact, growth, and sustainability.

Sundberg added, “This grant sends a powerful message: our vulnerable adults deserve safe, quality care. We’re proud to partner with the South Dakota Department of Health as we expand this vital resource to families across the state. Their proactive approach and shared commitment to improving care for older and disabled adults have made this a truly forward-looking collaboration. Together, we’re helping ensure South Dakotans have access to the tools they need to make confident, informed decisions about care.”

About Elder Voice Advocates

Elder Voice Advocates (EVA) is dedicated to protecting the rights of older and disabled adults through advocacy, data transparency, and systemic reform. For more information visit eldervoicefamilyadvocates.org.

About the Bush Foundation

The Bush Foundation works to inspire and support creative problem solving—within and across sectors—to make our region better for everyone by investing in great ideas and the people who power them in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. For more information visit bushfoundation.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250429921428/en/

“This partnership with Elder Voice Advocates enhances transparency and gives individuals and families a trusted place to begin their care journey—one that prioritizes dignity, safety, and informed decision-making.”