The demand for reliable and accessible in-home care for older Americans is on the rise, leading to challenges for both care workers and family caregivers. The care movement, which has been gaining momentum over the past three decades, aims to address these challenges and strengthen care infrastructure. Philanthropy plays a vital role in supporting this movement, with philanthropists able to deepen their commitment by participating in donor collaboratives.
The cost of care in the United States is significant, with factors such as low wages, limited benefits, and unsafe working conditions contributing to a shortage of direct care workers and high turnover rates. Family caregivers also face challenges, spending an average of 26 hours a week providing unpaid care and forgoing an estimated $522 billion in wages annually. Caregivers and care workers are more likely to experience negative mental and physical health outcomes, which can impact both themselves and the people they care for.
To address these challenges, major grant makers have come together to form the CARE Fund, investing $50 million over five years to improve care infrastructure. This collaborative approach allows philanthropists to diversify their investments across the care spectrum and support initiatives that they may not be able to fund individually. By pooling resources, funders can maximize their impact and work together to address the needs of caregivers, care workers, and care recipients.
Donor collaboratives like the CARE Fund involve grantees in the grant-making process, allowing for a more collaborative approach to developing strategies and assessing needs. This model of collective giving enables funders to learn from and grow with the care movement, while also expanding their scope of influence. By investing in the care movement at this pivotal moment, philanthropists can catalyze a transformation that strengthens families and communities, ultimately recognizing care as the foundation of a vibrant economy.
For more information on how philanthropy can support the care movement, visit the CARE Fund website. The Well Beings Blog, part of the Well Beings campaign launched by WETA, aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health and wellbeing. The campaign includes documentary films like “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness” and “Caregiving,” executive produced by Bradley Cooper and Lea Pictures, premiering on PBS in 2025. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text, or chat 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor. Veterans can also reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or visiting VeteransCrisisLine.net to chat online or text 838255.
