32 community foundations engaging people over 60
The Community Experience Partnership, an initiative of The Atlantic Philanthropies, includes 32 community foundations across the United States. These partners are working with their communities to find new ways to engage the rapidly growing population of people over 60 in activities that benefit others and improve local quality of life.
This initiative is serving the needs of society—and of one of America’s most vital population groups. Partners are working to redefine traditional perceptions of aging, and to create pathways for older adults to participate in lifelong learning, volunteering, and employment in the nonprofit or government sectors.
Gaining from experience
In 2006, the first baby boomers turned 60. By 2030, the number of Americans over age 65 will double to 71.5 million and become 20% of the population. This generation is the largest, best educated and healthiest ever to enter its sixties. And it represents vast potential for addressing social needs and strengthening civic life.
The Community Experience Partnership is tapping this potential in a variety of ways:
- Through research into community readiness to engage people over 60 in ways that value their experience, encourage their continued development, and connect their energies, skills and passions with pressing social needs
- Through programs that bring community leaders from all sectors together to examine policies and practices, and provide people over 60 with on-ramps to learning, service and work that generates new results in areas of priority community need
- Through communications that create new awareness of the contributions of older adults, and shift perceptions of their role in society—from retirees on the sidelines to active participants in the fabric of community
