Philanthropy

Sharing Our Gifts to Create a Community That Celebrates Life

Each Erickson managed retirement community is a separately incorporated non profit entity with a mission to provide quality senior housing and care. It upholds the mission of “Sharing Our Gifts to Create a Community that Celebrates Life” by engaging residents in philanthropic and volunteer activities that support the residential neighborhoods and the larger surrounding local and regional community.

Through volunteer activities our 20,000 residents contribute over 1 million hours each year in support of the Alzheimer’s Walk, The Susan G. Komen Run, Habitat for Humanity, The American Heart Association’s Heart Walk and countless other national philanthropies. Additionally residents support local communities by volunteering at local churches and synagogues, schools and hospitals, providing mentoring and tutoring to both gifted and disadvantaged youth, preparing meals for those in need, knitting scarves and mittens for overseas children, reading to the visually impaired and so many more generous gifts of time and talent.

In 2006, residents and other donors participated in gala events, Treasure Sales and fundraising drives collectively contributing over $3.2 million for the Benevolent Care Funds and the Scholarships Funds for local area high school students to continue their education at degree granting institutions. Endowments have been created and supported with special planned and estate gifts and charitable gift annuities.  This is in addition to the untold millions they privately contribute to the arts, the environment, education, social services and their place of worship.

The residents of these very special communities recognize the gifts they have been given and they collectively and individually share the fruits of their many labors in generous and unselfish ways.  The culture of philanthropy is recognized in each Erickson community each day and in doing so the residents not only live life, they celebrate it with an extraordinary energy, commitment and joy in making their community and our world a better place.

The Philanthropy program is directed by local volunteer board members and committees who provide leadership, direction and set the example for others in each community. They are supported by a compliment of 2 to 3 professional staff in each mature community.