What We Do
Call to Action
Call to Action: Philanthropy’s Commitment to Elder Inclusion #FundAging
We are at a pivotal moment in philanthropy. The U.S. population is aging. Today, there are more than 46 million adults aged 65 or over, and this number is expected to more than double to 90 million in the next 25 years.
Despite this population’s growth and the increasing needs that will accompany it, currently, only 1% of philanthropic funding goes to organizations serving older adults. This significant underinvestment highlights a crucial gap that needs to be addressed. As funders and changemakers, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to address the evolving needs of older adults and to harness their invaluable contributions to our communities.
We urge you to join us in a powerful commitment: pledge to apply an aging lens to your grantmaking and strategic planning.
What does this mean?
Applying an aging lens means recognizing and considering the perspectives, experiences, and challenges faced by older adults in all aspects of philanthropic work. Aging is an intersectional issue – affecting individuals across various identities, including race, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, and more. It intersects with many areas of philanthropic focus, including health, housing, economic security, and social justice. Addressing aging requires the investment of funders focused on a variety of strategies to ensure comprehensive and inclusive support for older adults.
Why is this important?
Aging is an equity issue. Older adult poverty is rising, and elders often face systemic barriers and disparities that impact their quality of life. We are all aging, and the actions we take today will shape the experiences of tomorrow’s elders.
We invite the philanthropic sector to join us in making these commitments and collectively holding ourselves accountable by signing this pledge of action.
We Urge You to Take Action
Join us in this crucial endeavor by signing our pledge to:
1. Include grantmaking for older adults
2. Adopt age-inclusive language – internally and externally
3. Measure your progress
Signing this pledge is a demonstration of your commitment to creating a more equitable and age-friendly world. Your commitment will inspire and encourage others in the philanthropic community to consider the aging population in their work, thereby amplifying the impact of our collective efforts.
Together, we can build a future where everyone, regardless of age, can thrive and contribute to the greater good.