Every so often, I read something that makes me stop and catch my breath.

Recently, it was an article in The Chronicle of Philanthropy listing America’s 100 favorite charities. On the surface, it was a remarkable summary of generosity — billions of dollars given by caring people across the country. But as I scanned the list, my heart sank.

Only two of those 100 charities focus on older adults: the Alzheimer’s Association and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.

That is it. Two.

For someone who spends every day working to ensure that seniors — regardless of income or circumstance — have nutritious food, compassionate care, and meaningful connection, that felt like a punch to my gut.

The truth is, less than 1% of foundation giving in America goes to causes that serve older adults. One percent.

Think about that for a moment. Seniors make up nearly one-fifth of our nation’s population. They are our parents, our grandparents, our neighbors, our mentors — and yet, they receive a sliver of the charitable support given to other causes.

Why is it so little?

Part of it may be that aging is not seen as a cause. It is seen as inevitable — something that happens to all of us, not something that demands urgent action or investment. There is no single rallying cry around “aging” the way there is for hunger, children’s health, or cancer.

But aging touches every one of those issues. It intersects with housing, transportation, healthcare, and caregiver support. The problem is, when something touches everything, it tends to get lost in the crowd.

Another reason is ageism. In our culture, older adults are often seen as recipients of care rather than contributors of wisdom, creativity, and experience. Their stories are rarely centered. Their value, too often, is underestimated.

And many people assume that government programs like Social Security, Medicare, or the Older Americans Act “take care” of seniors. They do not. Those programs provide a foundation, but not the full picture — not the meals delivered to homebound adults, the support groups for family caregivers, or the safe, stimulating spaces for those living with dementia.

That is the work of local nonprofits like Senior Concerns — the kind of organization that fills the gap between survival and dignity.

If we are lucky, aging is a story we will all live long enough to tell.

By 2034, for the first time in history, there will be more older adults than children in America. That shift will define our communities for generations to come.

And philanthropy - individuals, families, foundations - has an opportunity, and an obligation, to catch up.

When you support programs that care for older adults, you are not just helping “seniors.” You are investing in the world you hope will exist when it is your turn - a world where growing older means being valued, nourished, and connected.

At Senior Concerns, we see that world every day — in the smile of a Meals on Wheels recipient, the laughter in our Adult Day Center, and the relief of a caregiver who knows they are not alone.

That is the power of community — and the reason we must make sure older adults are never the forgotten 1%.