Rooted in Connection: The I’m Still Here Foundation at the 2025 Grantmakers in Aging Annual Conference

This fall, leaders, funders, and innovators from across the aging field gathered in Long Beach, California, for the 2025 Grantmakers in Aging (GIA) Annual Conference—a national convening known for sparking ideas, strengthening partnerships, and shaping the future of aging-related philanthropy.

Facilitating Conversations That Matter

The I’m Still Here Foundation was proud to contribute to this year’s conference, with our founder, Dr. John Zeisel, facilitating one of the event’s networking tables “Rooted in Connection”. Dr. Zeisel led the discussion on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, bringing together funders, practitioners, and leaders committed to improving the lives of people living with cognitive challenges.

Shared Mission, Shared Momentum

Across the conversation, one theme kept rising to the surface: connection—with ideas, with innovations, and with others who share a commitment to improving life for people living with dementia.

Participants exchanged strategies that have strengthened dementia-focused programs, from early-stage pilots to long-standing community partnerships. These discussions underscored how thoughtful, targeted funding can spark meaningful progress—especially when paired with honest reflection on what’s working, where challenges remain, and how philanthropy can continue to evolve.

A central question guided the group: How can we do more together? This spirit of collaboration opened the door to shared funding approaches, aligned evaluation practices, and expanded access to engagement-based programs. These conversations echoed our core mission at the I’m Still Here Foundation: advancing dignity, purpose, and connection for people living with cognitive challenges.

Participants highlighted emerging opportunities—from culturally responsive programming to technology-enhanced engagement and community-based, person-centered support. Each idea reflected the field’s shared belief that progress happens when we learn from one another and work in partnership.

We’ are grateful for the chance to connect with so many aligned voices at this year’s conference—and excited to share a few photos that capture the energy, collaboration, and hope from the day.

Each year, the GIA Annual Conference offers a unique opportunity for funders of all sizes—local, regional, national, and international—to learn from one another and build a more age-inclusive world.

For our Foundation, this gathering reinforced a core belief that we carry into every conversation and collaboration:

People living with Alzheimer’s and dementia can—and do—thrive when they are supported with opportunities for connection, engagement, and meaning.

We are grateful to GIA for creating a space where thoughtful dialogue sparks meaningful change. In the months ahead, we look forward to continuing these conversations, nurturing new partnerships, and sharing more stories from the field.