What does the AARP Foundation do?

Oct 20, 2025 2 min read •

senior care Non-profit Organizations

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, millions of older adults are affected by poverty, a problem the AARP Foundation has worked to combat for decades. This charitable arm of AARP works to create and advance effective solutions to reduce poverty for and with older adults.

Quick Summary

The AARP Foundation is a charitable affiliate of AARP dedicated to reducing poverty for adults over 50 by providing programs and services focused on economic opportunity, food security, social connection, and legal advocacy.

Key Points

Mission Focus: The AARP Foundation's primary mission is to reduce poverty and hardship for people over 50.
Comprehensive Services: Their work covers economic opportunity, food security, social connection, and legal advocacy.
Volunteer-Powered Programs: Initiatives like Tax-Aide and Experience Corps rely on volunteers.
Legal Advocacy: The Foundation’s legal team fights for the rights of older adults and protects seniors.
Distinct from AARP: The Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on assisting low-income seniors.
Grantmaking and Partnerships: The Foundation distributes grants to other organizations.

Mission and Core Pillars

The AARP Foundation focuses on reducing poverty for older adults by developing solutions. Their work addresses key challenges faced by low-income seniors.

Programs for Economic Opportunity

The Foundation supports older adults in the workforce and helps with benefits access. Programs offer resources for job seekers over 50 and digital skills training. They assist eligible older adults in accessing benefits like SNAP and Medicare Savings Programs. Information on managing student loan debt is also available. The Foundation offers free tax preparation through IRS-certified volunteers and resources for property tax assistance.

Programs for Social Connection and Well-being

Programs combat loneliness and build community. Resources help connect individuals with solutions for social isolation, and a program pairs older adult volunteers with elementary students for tutoring. Support is also provided to help older adults recover from natural disasters.

The Power of Legal Advocacy

The legal team advocates for the rights of older adults in courts, addressing issues impacting low-income seniors. Key areas include challenging age discrimination, working to stop fraud, and advocating for policies that expand access to benefits.

AARP Foundation vs. AARP: A Comparison

The distinction between the AARP Foundation and AARP clarifies their roles:


Feature	AARP Foundation	AARP
Purpose	Charitable and legal work focused on reducing senior poverty.	Membership-based advocacy and benefits organization for those 50+.
Tax Status	501(c)(3) non-profit, accepting tax-deductible donations.	Non-profit with lobbying and for-profit elements, funded by memberships and royalties.
Primary Focus	Direct services and legal advocacy for low-income seniors.	Broader advocacy for all 50+ and member discounts.
Services	Free tax preparation, benefits access, job training, legal advocacy.	Publications, member discounts, legislative lobbying.

How the Foundation Makes an Impact

The Foundation works through grants to community partners addressing senior poverty.

Getting Involved with the AARP Foundation

You can support the Foundation through volunteering or donations. Volunteers are important for programs like Tax-Aide and Experience Corps. Donations fund programs assisting low-income older adults. Annual reports detail their achievements. For more details, visit the official AARP Foundation website.

Conclusion

The AARP Foundation provides support to older adults facing poverty, offering services from financial and legal aid to combating social isolation. Its programs empower seniors to age with dignity by focusing on practical solutions, impacting vulnerable older Americans.

Frequently Asked Questions

The AARP Foundation is the charitable affiliate of AARP, focused on reducing poverty for older adults. AARP is the membership-based organization focused on advocacy, information, and benefits for members 50 and over.

No, you do not need to be an AARP member to receive assistance from the AARP Foundation. The Foundation serves both members and non-members, focusing on vulnerable, low-income seniors.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is a volunteer service providing free tax preparation to taxpayers 50 and older with low-to-moderate income.

Yes, addressing food insecurity is a core focus. They assist with SNAP enrollment and support programs to make food more affordable for low-income older adults.

The Foundation combats social isolation through initiatives like Connect2Affect and the Experience Corps volunteer program.

Experience Corps is a volunteer program where people over 50 tutor and mentor children in grades K-3. It helps children read better and provides older adults with purpose and social connection.

Yes, the legal advocacy department provides high-impact litigation to advance the rights of people over 50, focusing on age discrimination and consumer protection.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.