The Philanthropic World Has Long Overlooked Older Adults.
We're Changing That.
The Baldwin Society Supporting Older Adults (BSSOA) is the philanthropic arm of Baldwin House Senior Living.
We work to ensure Michigan’s older adults, especially those with limited income, can age safely, independently, and with dignity.
Learn about the life-changing impact of our grants through the heartfelt stories of older adults, as shared by our incredible community partner agencies.
From providing essential resources to creating opportunities for connection and growth,
these stories showcase how
your support is making
a real difference.
About Us
BSSOA provides micro-grants through vetted Michigan partner agencies to help older adults aged 55+ afford essential items and services that support healthy, independent living.
Our grants help cover things most of us take for granted—like grab bars and ramps, hearing aids, eyeglasses, home repairs, transportation to medical appointments, pest remediation, or even a refrigerator to store medicine and food. These essentials aren’t luxuries. They’re lifelines.
Since our founding, we’ve raised more than $3 million and served tens of thousands of older Michiganders across the state.
How We Work
BSSOA does not award grants directly to individuals. Instead, we fund trusted community partner agencies—organizations that already know and serve older adults in need.
These agencies identify recipients, coordinate services, and ensure funds are used efficiently to deliver immediate help where it matters most.
Our second major focus is aging research that explores how income, race, and social conditions affect older adults’ well-being. By investing in this research, we help shape policy and practice for a more equitable future of aging.
Our Impact in Action
A micro-grant can: Install a ramp that makes returning home from rehabilitation possible. Provide a pressure mattress that prevents injury and promotes restful sleep. Cover a dental co-pay so someone can eat comfortably again. Deliver fresh fruit and vegetables to a senior isolated by mobility challenges. Every dollar restores dignity and independence—and every gift changes a life.
Get Involved
You can help create a Michigan where older adults don’t have to choose between safety, health, and independence.
Here’s how to help:
[Donate] – Support urgent needs in your community.
[Partner With Us] – Become a referral agency or research collaborator.
Help raise awareness for older adults’ essential needs.
In 2008, Bob and Robert Gillette were on their way home from a charity event, discussing the quality of the banquet meal and the mission of the organization they made their donation to. It struck them that neither of them were very good! In fact, despite have more than 50 years of combined senior service experience between them, neither Bob nor Rob could articulate the impact their donation would have on helping under-served older adults.
"We can do better" became a mantra.
Discussions with Dr. Peter Lichtenberg, head of the Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology, led to creation of the Baldwin Society Supporting Older Adults (previously known as the American House Foundation).
Today, we remain to be the only non-profit created solely to address the gaps between government subsidy programs and services, and what seniors actually need to remain independent.
Since then, more than $2.3 million (and counting) has been raised and tens of thousands of older adults have been served.
Aging successfully on a fixed income in today's world is tougher than ever.
Did you know that many critical daily essentials are generally NOT covered by Medicare and/or Medicaid?
Access to these daily necessities can make the difference in keeping an older adult safe and independent.
Here are just some of the items our micro-grants provide for older adults in need:
• grab bars for bathrooms
• ramps for safe access at home
• transportation to medical appointments
• home safety repairs
• eyeglasses
• dental repairs (and/or dentures)
• hearing aids
• shower chairs
• pressure mattresses
• mental health co-pays and deductibles
• home care
• refrigerators (to store medicine/food)
• pest infestations
• fresh fruits and vegetables