AARP Foundation Overview

What We Do

Today more than four million older Americans struggle to survive at or near the poverty line.

Older Americans are facing serious financial problems, forced by circumstances not of their own making to skip meals or cut prescription medicines in half -- or not even take them at all. Many are also dealing with the loss of their spouse, their friends and even their purpose in life.

AARP Foundation recognizes that there will be people who fall through the safety net and will struggle to meet their most basic needs.

The Foundation helps vulnerable seniors climb out of poverty or avoid the pitfalls of poverty through:

• Direct Assistance
  Working with local groups, government and national organizations, and corporations, the Foundation creates and supports solutions that help older people meet life's essentials: food, housing, income and personal connection.
  

• Legal Advocacy
  We stand up for mature individuals in the courts.  AARP Foundation Litigation advocates on behalf of older Americans, protecting their legal rights in critical retirement, health, long-term care and consumer issues.
  

• Raising Awareness
  We work to increase awareness among individuals and thought leaders about the critical issues low-income older Americans face today, including research into causes and longtime solutions for these problems.
  

Our Supporters

Nutritious and regular meals, new and marketable employment skills, a safe and affordable place to call home — these are three of the many ways donations to AARP Foundation help older Americans.  We could not do it without supporters who donate both time and money to further our work.  We are proud that 89 cents of every dollar we spend goes directly to our life-changing programs and services. 

For more information about AARP Foundation corporate collaborations or individual donations, please call 888-OUR-AARP (888-687-2277).

Who We Serve

In 2010, AARP Foundation helped more than 5.5 million vulnerable low-income older Americans who struggled to meet their basic need for nutritious food, safe and affordable housing, adequate income and much-needed personal connections.