Press Kit

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About Generations United

Generations United is a nonprofit that strengthens practices and policies to benefit all generations.

For more than three decades, Generations United has been the catalyst for policies and practices stimulating cooperation and collaboration among generations, evoking the vibrancy, energy and sheer productivity that result when people of all ages come together. We believe that we can only be successful in the face of our complex future if generational diversity is regarded as a national asset and fully leveraged.

Grandfamilies

Today, about 7.8 million children across the country live in households headed by grandparents or other relatives. About 2.5 million grandparents report they are responsible for their grandchildren’s needs. In about a third of these homes, neither of the children’s parents are in the home.

The National Center on Grandfamilies is a critical part of Generations United’s mission and strives to enact policies and promote programs that support relative caregivers and the children they raise.

Generations United’s new Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center seeks to help systems break down their silos and improve supports for the families.

See our 2021 State of Grandfamilies Report – Reinforcing a Strong Foundation: Equitable Supports for Basic Needs of Grandfamilies

Intergenerational Programs

These social vehicles offer younger and older generations opportunities to interact and become engaged in issues concerning our society. Through our annual Programs of Distinction Designations, Generations United recognizes excellence while celebrating the rich diversity among intergenerational programs, where people of all ages share their talents and resources, supporting each other in relationships that benefit both the individuals and the community. Young and old are viewed as assets, not problems to be solved.

See our 2021 Report: Making the Case for Intergenerational Programs

See our 2021 Toolkit: Sharing Our Space: A Toolkit for Developing and Enhancing Intergenerational Shared Sites

See our 2017 Report: I Need You, You Need Me: The Young, The Old, and What We Can Achieve Together

Multigenerational Families

Multigenerational living is once again common in America. After being a norm for many generations, then declining as American families scattered, multigenerational households have grown over the past several decades. The past ten years have seen a remarkably large leap in multigenerational living, from 7 percent of Americans found in our 2011 survey to 26 percent of Americans in 2021. Most of us are likely either residing in a home with three or more generations, or we know someone who is.

See our full report: Family Matters: Multigenerational Living Is on the Rise and Here to Stay

Intergenerational Bonds Among Family Members

Generations United and the Alliance for Children and Families conducted a study of more than 2,000 adults, 18 and older, that found 61 percent of Americans with living parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, great-grandparents, or great-grandchild reported giving extended family financial support for basic needs, e.g. housing, food, and transportation, amounting to an average of $3,800 annually.

See our 2014 Report: Intergenerational Family Connections: The Relationships that Support a Strong America.

Intergenerational Workplaces

There are now four generations in the workplace. Recognizing and addressing each generation in the workplace as a separate entity requiring different strategies and policies is treating the workforce as Multi-Generational. Intergenerational can be thought of as inclusive—creating a stronger, more cohesive environment through shared values and understanding among the generations. Intergenerational practices are important because they lead to optimum performance by leveraging the skills of each generation for organizational success.

See our 2009 Workbook: Generations in the Workplace

Changing Demographics

Americans of all generations are aware of the country’s changing age and race demographics and the vast majority is accepting of them, dispelling the “generational conflict narrative.” Our 2013 report, Out of Many, One: Uniting the Changing Face of America, which includes the results of a nationwide survey by Harris Interactive, reveals 72 percent of respondents believe that publicly funded programs targeted at specific age groups such as K-12 education or Social Security aren’t burdensome responsibilities, but investments that benefit all generations.

See our Executive Summary: Out of Many, One: Uniting the Changing Face of America

Hunger and Nutrition

Food & Nutrition magazine named Generations United among its 7 Top Hunger Organizations for championing the cause of food for all in our 2012 report, Hunger and Nutrition: What’s at Stake for Children, Families and Older Adults. Today, 1 in 5 children and 1 in 12 older adults is at risk of hunger in the U.S. Of those who sought and/or received assistance, nearly 74 percent turned to the government in some way for this assistance. Many sought support from additional sources as shown. Families with children were even more likely to have sought and/or received assistance.

See our Executive Summary: Hunger and Nutrition