Annual Report - 2011 Foundation

NN
GE
IR
RU
A
A

E C +A

0H W

P
IP
I
NR
NE
IL
NI
E
GV
BS
A

H KE C

L
OP
PI
PN
G
O
R

P
TE
G

R
UE
,
IO
L

M E

C G

R
N
ME
AS
UE
R

I
H
G

,
R
M
L
G
GE

UO N

R
IO
ME
A

S
U
R
EC
C

E
IR
SN
A
N
A

D
NP
IL
TE
Y

L
FI
OV
RE
FH
ST
L
T
YE
RA
T
TV
SH
OE
R

H T

I S

L
TE
A
R
UL
T
GH
GI
E
RP
O
PE
NL
U

E
TL
YE
V
T
I

I O

H
F
RA
E
UE
TL
I

I
NL
LR
I,
N
GM
C

I P A

G
KN
P
O

P
PE
P
RP
AO
O
MR
E
E
RS
IE
C

L
BE
A

H
U
G
NR
SE
E
CN
I
RA
AD
S

H N

5P
A
WR
E
+

I
NI
IL
S
N

E
V
I
N
O

G A

L
KN
N

S B

E
CI
GH
P
N

V
N
WR
I
IL
IE

5P E +

I SA

0P
CN
H
N
EE
I
RA
A

D MR

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT JO ANN JENKINS President, AARP Foundation

E
NS
AU
I
LE
GC
GR
R,
GO
TR
OT
SE
UM
I
FL
RH
U
TE
T IV
IH
NE
A
Y
PL
RL
P
O
OE
E
BN
KP
GP I
C
AG
L
N

WE
IE
V
NH
+I
N
IS
CA
E
IH
S PI
R
N
ED
N
M
AP
IU
N
LC
AA
GE
E
GR
TO
GS
UE
RR
B
A
C
K
O
N
G
B
A
C

We first set our sights on hunger. We
sought both short-term and long-term solu-
tions to the terrible reality that nearly nine
million people age 50+ do not have enough
to eat each day. Supported by corporate
and institutional partners and hundreds of
thousands of donors, we launched in Febru-
ary a multi-year, multi-faceted nationwide
campaign, Drive to End Hunger.

Dear Friends: 2011 was a pivotal year for AARP Foundation. We began by setting in motion our mission to target the four areas— hunger, housing, income and isolation— where we could have the greatest impact on the lives of millions of struggling Americans

50+. This focus allows us to work even more
diligently to prevent vulnerable older people
from falling permanently into crisis.

“Crisis” is not a word we use lightly. But for millions of older Americans, the recession changed everything. An entire group of people who were middle class must now be defined as the working poor. Bearing the brunt of the economic slowdown, their lives have not begun to recover. AARP Foundation focuses on bringing opportunity back to them, helping them meet their most basic needs for food, housing, financial stability and connection.

Drive to End Hunger had an outstanding first year. We provided 5. 8 million meals and measurably raised public awareness. In August, the Foundation released groundbreak-ing research, Food Security among Older Americans, the first report that details the ravages of hunger among people 50+.

We updated program metrics and increased transparency. These efforts are bearing fruit. In September, we reached the one-million donor mark – three and a half months early. AARP Foundation received four stars from Charity Navigator, its highest rating. We also continue to receive the highest ratings from the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, stating we met all of the standards for charitable accountability.

I
L
S
E
V
P
P
O
R
T
U
N

A
H
P
E
I
P
R
I
T
Y
F
O
R
S
T
U
R
G
G
L
I
N
G
A
M
R
E
A
C
I
S
N

As we refined our mission to help move older people over the basic needs curve and keep them there, of necessity we served fewer— 2. 8 million this year. However, the impact of what we’re doing is bigger. Our goal is to help people get back on track and remain secure.

K
O
P
P
O
R
T
U
N
I
T
Y
F
O

AARP Foundation helped millions of struggling people 50+ begin their journey from vulnerability to sustainability in 2011. But to break this cycle of poverty among older Americans, we must do more. We must understand better the causes of poverty, and we must develop solutions tied to research with measured outcomes. In short, we seek to change the landscape. I hope you will join us in this fight—a fight this nation cannot afford to lose. Thank you.