Giving Compass' Take:

• Vu Le, writing for Nonprofit AF, encourages nonprofits to gear their missions toward valuing senior citizens in society. 

•  How can philanthropists work with nonprofit organizations to understand more about the needs of the aging population?

• Read more about why philanthropy needs to focus more on the aging population. 

A huge challenge is the mindset that “We invest in causes, and then we get a return on our investment. So, we invest in youth, and we get a return on our investment, in terms of someone who will live a more productive life, contributing to our capitalist economy. But what’s my return on my investment if I give to a cause related to old people? Old people just get sick and die. Their productive lives are over.”

It would be great if all of our missions, not just aging-related ones, incorporate more conversations about aging and partnerships with senior programs.

This is a terrible philosophy that leads to a crappy society, and unfortunately, it is ingrained in most of us. Older people contribute plenty to every aspect of life. But more importantly, we are more effective at building the ideal community if we believe in the intrinsic value of individuals, not just what they will contribute to society.

Read the full article on seniors by Vu Le at Nonprofit AF.