Preparing the Nation for the Latino Age Wave
HIP is working with a broad network of funders to expand philanthropic support for Latino aging issues. HIP began its work in this field by completing a comprehensive assessment and report on Latino aging, which was released in early 2011. Building on the findings of this assessment, HIP launched the Latino Age Wave Initiative, which works to expand advocacy efforts and services addressing issues of aging in Latino communities and to engage more Latino older adults as advocates for policies that improve the economic security and well-being of Latino elders. HIP also convenes funders and other stakeholders to share best practices for improving the well-being of Latino older adults.
In 2011, HIP launched the Latino Age Wave Initiative, which will strengthen Latino aging programs and advocacy efforts in key states where the Latino older adult population is large and growing. Specifically, the initiative will provide support for the development and expansion of programs addressing Latino aging issues and for fellowships for Latino older adults to advocate for policies that improve the economic security and well-being of Latino elders.
Funder’s Collaborative for Strong Latino Communities
HIP’s research on older Latinos found that while some older Latino adults seek organizations that specialize on aging, Latinos largely flock to one-stop-shop organizations that service the entire family. HIP has invested in well over a hundred organizations that follow this model, as well as organizations specialized on serving older adults. One example is Vida Senior Center in Washington, D.C., which received a series of grants from HIP to develop marketing, communications and fundraising strategies that are yielding fruit in the form of increased visibility, new strategic partnerships, and a major capital project.
Facilitating Funder Dialogue
HIP convenes key stakeholders in the philanthropic, nonprofit, government and policy arenas in person and online to discuss strategies for improving the quality of life for older Latinos. These forums have included a HIP Philanthropy Webinar on the Latino Age Wave report in December 2010, a policy briefing on Capitol Hill sponsored by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez in March 2011, and a funders briefing in New York in May 2011.
Latinos are known for being a relatively young population. Even so, today there are about 3 million Latinos age 65 and older living in the United States, and the Latino older adult population is growing fast. A “Latino age wave” is on its way: by 2050, older Latinos will make up 13 percent of all Americans—nearly as large a proportion as Latinos of all ages make up today.
The Latino older population faces unique challenges and barriers.
Unfortunately, the U.S. is not prepared to respond to the coming Latino age wave. The recent assessment commissioned by HIP found that a majority of federally funded aging agencies were unable to serve a Spanish-speaking client upon first contact. On the other hand, hundreds of Latino community-based organizations are already serving Latino older adults, but may not have the resources to do so in a way that addresses the specific needs of older Latinos or on a sufficiently large scale.
HIP believes that it’s crucial that funders, Latino community organizations, senior service providers, and policymakers work together to develop policies and a national infrastructure that is fully prepared to respond to the coming Latino age wave.
HIP has commissioned an in-depth assessment on Latino aging issues and has hosted a number of convenings to identify gaps, assets, and opportunities, as well as promising practices in the field.
What Changing Demographics Mean for the Future of Aging in the United States
In early 2011 HIP released this comprehensive report examining the challenges and opportunities faced by a growing Latino older adult population. The report includes an overview of the demographics of the Latino older adult population, a mapping of current assets for serving the Latino older adults, a summary of best practices for serving Latino older adults, and recommendations for funders, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
HIP Funders Briefing on the Latino Age Wave
Video: May 2011, New York, NY
HIP has convened several forums and discussions on Latino aging issues, including a funders briefing at The Atlantic Philanthropis in New York in May 2011. The briefing included a presentation of the Latino Age Wave report by Dr. Maya Rockeymoore, President & CEO of Global Policy Solutions as well as remarks by Sharon King, Director of Aging Program at The Atlantic Philanthropies; Dr. Yanira Cruz, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Coalition on Aging; and Stacey Easterling, Program Executive for Aging at The Atlantic Philanthropies.
A number of HIP partners and members are working to raise awareness about and improve the lives of older Latino adults. The Atlantic Philanthropies, HIP’s key funding partner, runs a trailblazing program focused on critical issues facing older adults and manages a strategic grant portfolio engineered to foster and leverage collaborative advocacy. The National Hispanic Council on Aging, a key HIP thought partner, tirelessly advocates, establishes partnerships, and educates a broad range of stakeholders around the nation. Other HIP members and partners working on aging issues include The William Randolph Hearst Foundation, The California Endowment, The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation, The John A. Hartford Foundation, the Rose Community Foundation, AARP, and The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation.
Providing Leadership
"As a Latino in philanthropy, it helps to meet other professionals dealing with the same challenges that I'm dealing with and to have the opportunity to learn from what they've experienced in the field."
— Edgar Aguirre
Loyola Marymount University
Membership Has Its Benefits
"HIP Membership has enabled me to broaden my reach into communities and to utilize resources I didn't know about before. As a funder, it has been great to associate with and learn from folks with such a depth of understanding about philanthropy and Latino communities."
— Larry Gonzales
The California Endowment
Increasing Diversity
"The field of philanthropy is not very diverse and the needs of the Latino community and Latino professionals in the field are not adequately met. HIP provides members with learning opportunities to increase their professional capacity as well as fun networking activities."
— Obiel A. Leyva
The San Francisco Foundation
Strengthening Our Culture
"The HIP Collaborative has helped in many ways over the past 10 years. It spurred us to recruit the first Latina foundation board member in the state and helped us develop relationships that have led to establishing several funds advised by Latinos. Our association with HIP has helped to strengthen our cultural competence as an organization."
— Tara Sandercock
Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro
A Collaborative Vision
"The philanthropic world is always preaching that collaboration is important. We tell nonprofits that when resources are tight, you must work together--collaborate. The Funders' Collaborative model allows foundations to work together to address the issues affecting our communities."
— Evette Cardona
Polk Bros. Foundation
A Strong Vision
"The chief strength of the Funders' Collaborative is that it is a collaborative process rooted in a single vision--strengthening Latino communities. It allows grantmakers and grantees from all over the country to work together towards that vision."
— Marilda Gandara
Aetna Foundation
A Consistent Vision
"In the late '90s, the HIP board said, 'Getting more Latinos into the field just isn't enough-we need a new strategy for increasing giving to Latinos.' The result was the Funders' Collaborative, which proved incredibly effective — we raised more than $40 million for Latino community-based organizations."
— Diana Campoamor
President of HIP
Shaping Our Future
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