Advertiser Directory
Charities & Nonprofits
Free and low-cost help you've earned
Services in this category
- Area Agencies on Aging
- Food Assistance & Food Banks
- Housing Assistance & Vouchers
- Utility & Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
- Eldercare Locator & 211 Services
- Senior-Focused Nonprofits
- Faith-Based Assistance
- Disability & Caregiver Nonprofits
- Grief & Bereavement Support
About Charities & Nonprofits
Free and low-cost help you've earned
Read more about Charities & NonprofitsShow less
Some of the most valuable help available to older adults costs nothing, because someone already funded it. This category covers area agencies on aging, faith-based assistance programs, food banks and meal programs, veterans organizations, disease-specific foundations, and community assistance charities.
Start with your Area Agency on Aging. Nearly every region in the country has one, and it's the single best front door for older adults: benefits counseling, meal programs, transportation, caregiver support, and referrals — free, and staffed by people whose job is knowing what exists locally.
On disease-specific foundations. Organizations focused on Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease often provide free education, support groups, care navigation, and sometimes financial assistance. Families frequently discover them years later than they should have.
For veterans. Benefits go unclaimed constantly, including for surviving spouses. Accredited veterans service officers help file claims at no charge. Never pay someone to "unlock" veterans benefits.
No shame in asking. These programs exist because communities decided older adults shouldn't go without. Using them is not charity in the sense people fear — it's the return on a lifetime of paying in.
Common Questions
What free help is available to seniors from charities and nonprofits?
A great deal — home repairs, food assistance, transportation, caregiver support, utility help, and more, often at no cost. The hard part is knowing what exists, which is exactly what this directory helps with.
How do I find nonprofit help near me?
Start with your local Area Agency on Aging (a free hub for senior services), then pick your state in Community Resources and search what you need — many programs are local and easy to miss.
Is charitable help only for low-income seniors?
Not always — some programs are income-based, but many services (information, caregiver support, helplines, safety programs) are open to everyone. It's always worth asking.
How do I avoid fake charities?
Be cautious of unsolicited requests and high pressure. Verify a charity before giving — check it at sites like Charity Navigator, and never give payment information to someone who contacts you out of the blue.
Providers in Charities & Nonprofits
Every business listed in the Silver Streak directory is background-checked and verified before approval. Inclusion is not an endorsement of any specific provider, and nothing on this page replaces advice from your own physician, attorney, accountant, or licensed professional.