TPF and NCOA work together at enterprise level propelling AMP forward

TPF has had the privilege of engaging in an evolving multi-year relationship with the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Most recently, in a field of agreement that strategies to improve the health, well-being, and longevity of the nation and our community, TPF engaged with NCOA’s leadership regarding NCOA’s new Aging Mastery Program® (AMP) as an enterprise and a place-based supporter.

TPF has found that a wonderful synergy is created when it aligns with national initiatives to engage in the enterprise of bringing new successful tools and strategies developed by a national organization into the marketplace. When aligned with a national initiative’s intention, TPF launches programs locally with special attention to connection, learning, and sharing knowledge. As the program is implemented locally, local lessons are shared back with the national initiative. With this knowledge, national initiatives gain insights to strengthen the program. Lessons from our local experiments can be shared broadly to strengthen and enhance already successful approaches. Benefits are experienced locally, at the national level, and at sites throughout the nation.

At the national level, TPF and NCOA work together at the enterprise level to share knowledge, strategic and tactical expertise contributing to the achievement of mighty aspirations such as NOCA’s goal to improve the health and well-being of 10 million older adults by 2020. NCOA and TPF work together to explore, assess, and refine strategies to scale AMP nationally. This working relationship is expressed, for example with the development and launch of the AMP Philanthropic Network — a collaborative of funders from around the nation convening to enhance their understanding, commitment and investment in AMP to amplify our capacity to age well.

Locally, AMP was piloted with the intention to bring AMP into the area and to prove AMP’s sustainability.  The local experiment netted solid actionable information as well as clarity about less viable approaches. Fruitfully, it showed that charging $100 for the 10-week program was successful. Other sustainability strategies were demonstrated as well. With this local success, NCOA has shared the effectiveness of the private-pay strategy throughout the nation and many other sites and communities benefit.

It is a joy and a pleasure to work with Jim Firman, President and CEO of NCOA and his talented staff to amplify the impact of NCOA as it is achieving its vision of realizing a just and caring society in which each of us, as we age, lives with dignity, purpose, and security.

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