The Retirement Research Foundation exists to meet the ever-changing needs of the elderly in America. For 30 years, the goal of our investments has been to support people and institutions that are dedicated to addressing issues surrounding aging and retirement.

Based in Chicago, the RRF was endowed in 1978 by the late John D. MacArthur. It began making grants in 1979. RRF is one of the nation's first private foundations that is devoted exclusively to aging and retirement issues. With assets of more than $165 million, the Foundation issues approximately $8 million in grants each year to support programs, research, and public policy studies to improve the quality of life for older Americans.

Although the RRF began its current operations in 1979, the organization actually began almost 30 years earlier. John D. MacArthur incorporated the Foundation in 1950 and subsequently specified its structure and mission. The Foundation's mission was "to conduct and provide for research concerning problems of individuals and industry arising from the retirement of workers from regular gainful employment, all for public welfare and for no other purpose."

When John D. MacArthur died in 1978, the RRF received its endowment, and the Foundation became active. Seven trustees had been appointed to its board at that time, including Edward J. Kelly, who served as President and Chairman until 1986, when the positions were separated and he became chairman. He remained in that position until 2007, and he continues to serve on the board. Two more Trustees were named in 1980, and the number of Trustees has remained at nine since then.

In 1979 the Board of Trustees affirmed the Foundation's commitment to improving the quality of life of older adults and articulated four broad goals:

• To increase the availability and effectiveness of comprehensive community programs designed to maintain older persons in independent living environments and to enable the disabled aged to live independently;
• to improve the quality of nursing home care;
• to provide new and expanded opportunities for older persons to engage in employment and volunteer services; and
• to support selected basic, applied, and policy research that seeks causes and solutions to significant problems facing the aged.

The Foundation sought in the shorter term to facilitate the development of services that would enable older adults to remain at home as long as they desired, to help assure that needed nursing home care was of good quality, and to demonstrate the capacity and contributions of older persons. For the longer term, through research the Foundation sought to address some of the more difficult problems faced by older individuals in an aging society. Over time the Foundation added the goal to increase the number of professionals adequately prepared to serve the older population through support of selected education and training initiatives.

The Foundation has invested in a wide range of programs and special initiatives. Many programs have been started or expanded with foundation funds. The Foundation responds to needs—most grants are distributed via a responsive grantmaking program. The Foundation has invested proactively in selected initiatives:

• The Personal Autonomy in Long Term Care initiative launched in 1985 examined the ethical dimensions of long-term care. It opened the door to changes in practice and policy and identified new areas for further research.
• From 1984 to 1998 The National Media Awards program encouraged excellence and accuracy in productions on aging and aging issues.
• The Community Awards Program (ENCORE) in Greater Chicago was begun in 1988 to identify and reward exemplary programs conducted by churches, community organizations and social-service agencies and to encourage their replication. At its close in 1998 the Organizational Capacity Building initiative was launched. Its goal was to make grants available to nonprofit organizations to make long-term improvements in their management and governance to help sustain services to the elderly.
• From 1993 through 2006 the Congregation Connection Program increased the capacity of Chicago-area religious congregations to meet the physical and mental well-being needs in aging individuals.
• In 2003 the Accessible Faith Program was initiated to help Chicago-area congregations increase their accessibility.

Throughout its history, the Foundation has supported innovation. Projects that develop a new approach to problems facing older Americans are encouraged by the RRF. Although historically nearly half of the grants issued each year are given to programs in the mid-west, the overriding goal is projects that potentially will have broader-based impact for seniors, either regionally or nationally.

While the numbers of older persons and their circumstances have changed drastically over the years the RRF has been in existence, the Foundation's commitment to service, education, research, and advocacy projects that improve the quality of life for seniors has never wavered. As the issues facing an aging population have gained ever-greater urgency, the Foundation's long experience is proving invaluable in addressing those issues.

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