A senior citizen and child read a book together.

Connecting talent with community

Experience Matters

About Experience Matters

Experience Matters connects the skills and talents of experienced adults with the diverse needs of nonprofit organizations to build a stronger, more vibrant community. As a community resource, we are building a powerful network and creating sustainable outcomes for the betterment of the community.

Experience Matters was founded in 2009 and became a program of the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation in 2022.

Social change and healthy living

Our programs and services accelerate social change and encourage healthy aging through volunteerism. All initiatives are built on best practices and training that prepares adult volunteers to successfully use their experience and skills and empowers host nonprofits to effectively utilize these resources through meaningful projects. This is evident in our education programs which facilitate unique intergenerational mentoring and tutoring partnerships with schools and school districts.

To date, we have made a total impact on almost 600 nonprofit organizations and prepared skilled professionals to engage in a variety of nonprofit capacity building projects. Over 1,200 project matches have been made. Screening and placement is based on finding the best match between the organization’s strategic needs and the volunteer’s skills, abilities and interests.

Our unique triple-pronged approach

We have developed a suite of programs and services that meet a variety of stakeholder needs. We facilitate an extraordinary win-win opportunity for volunteers aged 50+ to enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle and improved well-being as they use their experience and skills for social change in the community.

As skilled talent is prepared and matched with nonprofits, the connection effectively creates a sustainable nonprofit capacity model and addresses the most urgent community needs. The vision to create Experience Matters for the Arizona community was a major achievement made possible through the founding and continued support of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

Health

We promote healthy futures for our volunteers.

Excel

Helps nonprofits excel.

Community impact

We provide positive community impact by repurposing the skills of retirees to help social benefit organizations achieve their mission.

Standing outdoor in a green area, several senior volunteers are busy while one crosses her arms and smiles at the camera.

Vision

All people age 50+ and social benefit organizations are working jointly to deliver positive community outcomes.

Mission

Experience Matters connects the skills and talents of individuals, age 50+, with social benefit organizations to enhance the capacity to solve community problems.

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