In general, there’s an age bias in philanthropy. Everyone wants to fund youth innovation. It is seen as the most important investment in the future, with long returns. I would add that if we’re not disrupting ageism, we’re harming young people by shortening their lives. You can do intergenerational work, bringing young and old to create together, and everyone benefits.
Anne Basting is founder of TimeSlips; an Ashoka Fellow; a professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; and a MacArthur Fellow. Her latest book is Creative Care: A Revolutionary Approach to Dementia and Elder Care.