The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF or the Hartford Foundation) is a private United States–based philanthropy whose current mission is to improve the care of older adults. For many years, it made grants for research and education in geriatric medicine, nursing and social work. It now focuses on three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers and improving serious illness, and end-of-life care.
History Based in New York City, the foundation was founded in 1929 by John Augustine Hartford and later joined by his brother George Ludlum Hartford, the family owners of the A&P grocery chain. The foundation's mission from the beginning has been "to do the greatest good for the greatest number." In the early and mid-20th century, the foundation primarily made grants for research centered on basic and clinical medicine and health care quality and costs. It was at one time the largest funder in these areas. In 1982, the focus turned towards improving the care of older adults, as there became an increasing need to fund this underserved area. In 1994, the foundation made this priority its chief mission.
Leadership Rani E. Snyder is president of the John A. Hartford Foundation. She assumed the role in 2026 after serving as acting president and previously as vice president of program. Snyder is an American nonprofit executive and philanthropy leader with more than 25 years of experience in health care and aging. Her work has focused on improving care for older adults, including support for family caregivers. Prior to joining The John A. Hartford Foundation, Snyder worked at the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, where she held leadership roles in its health care grant-making programs. Snyder serves on the board of the American Society on Aging and is a past board chair of Grant-makers In Aging. She is also a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine. She earned a Master of Public Administration in health care policy from New York University and completed doctoral studies in health services research at the UCLA School of Public Health.
Priority areas In a rapidly evolving health care environment, the Foundation supports the spread of evidence-based models that can accelerate care improvement for older adults. The three priority areas are: Age-Friendly Health Systems; Family Caregiving, and Serious Illness & End of Life.
Age-Friendly Health Systems To prevent harm to older adults, improve health outcomes, and lower overall costs, health systems must adopt evidence-based models and practices that deliver better care to the aging population across all settings, including the home and community. By collaborating with experts in the healthcare industry, The John A. Hartford Foundation is working to create health systems that are age-friendly and able to meet the goals of the Triple Aim. Grant-making in this area will: （1）Develop large-scale approaches that help health systems transform care; （2）Operationalize the essential elements of good care, building on the Foundation’s investments in evidence-based models and best practices; and （3）Better integrate community-based supports and services within the health system and across the continuum of care.
Family Caregiving There are nearly 18 million people in the US regularly providing care to an older loved one who needs assistance. These family caregivers often manage complex care responsibilities, but frequently report receiving limited preparation and systemic support. Recognizing the critical role that family caregivers play, The John A. Hartford Foundation is committed to transforming our health care and social services systems to meet the needs of family caregivers. Grantmaking in this area will: （1）Improve the ability of health systems and providers to identify, assess, and support family caregivers; （2）Raise awareness among policymakers, health system leaders, funders, and the public to drive change; and （3）Create large-scale change in partnership with national efforts.
Serious Illness and End of Life With increasing age comes greater risk for serious illness and the natural progression towards the end of life. Too often, care at this time fails to meet the goals and preferences of older adults and results in harm and burden. Palliative care and other effective approaches must be more widely available. The John A. Hartford Foundation will continue to promote care that preserves dignity and honors the wishes of older adults and their families. Grantmaking in this area will: (1) Increase access to high-quality palliative care services and other evidence-based models and practices; (2) Develop approaches for better educating and preparing the health care workforce; and (3) Foster communication and community-based solutions while informing public policy supportive of the needs of the seriously ill and their families.
Activities From about 1980 to 2012, the foundation focused on a two-pronged effort to build training capacity and conduct research into different models of care for older adults at schools of medicine, nursing, and social work. Its current programs aim to more directly impact the health of older adults. In 2013, the Foundation organized its grantmaking in five portfolios: Interprofessional Leadership in Action, Linking Education and Practice, Developing and Disseminating Models of Care, Tools and Measures for Quality Care, and Policy and Communications. In 2015 and 2016, the foundation implemented its current priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. In 2016, the Age-Friendly Health System initiative was started in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), American Hospital Association (AHA), and the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA). In 2008, the foundation led a consortium of grantmakers to fund a study from the Institute of Medicine to look at the "crisis" of an ill-prepared workforce and outdated models of caring for older adults."
Geriatric training In order to grow the geriatric workforce, JAHF has helped to develop training programs across various disciplines, from university-based physicians to nurses and social workers. The intention has been to establish a strong interdisciplinary labor force that is well-trained clinically and well-equipped academically to further geriatric research and care.
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