The Retirement Research Foundation is devoted exclusively to improving quality of life for our nation's older population. We are especially committed to improving conditions for those who are vulnerable due to frailty associated with advanced age, those who are economically disadvantaged and at greatest risk of falling through the safety net, and those who experience disparities related to race and ethnicity. 

The Foundation's goals are to:

• Improve access to and quality of community-based and residential health and long-term care;
• Promote economic security for all older adults by strengthening social insurance, pension, and personal savings programs; and
• Support adequate training of and compensation for those working directly with the elderly and their families to assure the highest quality of care.

High priority areas of interest:

The Retirement Research Foundation will give highest priority to the following areas:

• Economic security;
• Affordable and supportive housing;
• Coordinating care when older persons transfer from one care setting to another;
• Person-centered long-term care; and
• Mental health.

To achieve its goals, the Foundation supports nonprofits that provide:

• Advocacy;
• Replication of evidence-based programs, models and practices;
• Applied clinical, policy and social science research for which federal funding is not available;
• Education and training; and
• Direct service for older adults and/or their informal caregivers within a specified geographic area.

Principles and practices that will guide Foundation decision-making:

Review of our grantmaking revealed key characteristics for success. The Foundation will give priority to organizations that embody the following:

• Nonprofit best practices, such as strong leadership, responsible governance, fiscal responsibility and viability, and ongoing evaluation;
• Early planning and implementation of strategies to sustain projects for the future;

• True understanding of, and commitment to, person-centered care that promotes the dignity of older persons and their freedom to make life choices;
• Implementation of proven models and approaches that address clearly identified needs and gaps;
• Use of clearly focused, collaborative efforts to address systemic problems; and
• Forging of strategic partnerships with organizations in the field and funders to achieve better use of resources and sharing of knowledge.

The Accessible Faith and Organizational Capacity Building Programs will continue to be open to applicants exclusively from the metropolitan Chicago area.

Code of Ethics

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