Compassion. Action. Impact.
There Are Many Ways to Help Hartage Hope Happen
Every hand extended, every gift given, and every voice raised for someone who cannot advocate for themselves makes a difference. At The Hartage Foundation, we believe that lasting change happens when a community comes together, not through the efforts of one organization alone, but through the combined generosity of volunteers, donors, partners, and advocates who share a single conviction: that every person, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance, deserves to live with dignity, safety, and hope.
Founded by philanthropists Homer and Rosemary Hartage, The Hartage Foundation was built on a simple but powerful belief: that care, connection, and collective responsibility can transform lives. Our work spans professional guardianship through our AgedCare service, STEM and caregiver education scholarships, advocacy for individuals and families affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and support for the caregivers who carry so much of this burden quietly. None of it would be possible without people like you.
Whether you have an afternoon to spare, a skill to share, resources to give, or simply a story to tell, there is a place for you in this work. This page is your starting point, a look at the many ways you can get involved with The Hartage Foundation and help us build a community where no one faces life’s hardest moments alone.
Why Your Involvement Matters
Florida is home to a rapidly growing population of seniors, adults with disabilities, and individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, many of whom have no one to advocate for their safety, their finances, or their basic well-being. At the same time, the caregivers and family members who step in to help are often stretched thin, emotionally and financially, with few resources built specifically for them. And in classrooms across the state, promising students, particularly those pursuing STEM fields or careers in caregiving, face real barriers to the education that could change the trajectory of their lives.
These are not separate problems. They are threads of the same fabric: a community’s capacity to care for its most vulnerable members. When you volunteer your time, make a donation, share our mission, or partner with us, you are not just supporting a single program. You are strengthening that fabric for everyone who depends on it, and that support ripples outward into real, measurable change in the lives of Florida families.
Volunteer Your Time
Volunteering with The Hartage Foundation is more than an act of service. It is a chance to build genuine relationships with the people and causes you care about most. We welcome volunteers of every background and availability, and we work to match your interests and talents with the opportunity that will make the most meaningful impact.
Individual Volunteers give their time in ways large and small, from visiting isolated seniors to helping coordinate community events. Volunteering as an individual allows you to directly witness the positive difference your actions create, often in the course of a single afternoon.
Student Volunteers find that giving back to the community adds depth and perspective to their own education and personal growth. Many of our student volunteers go on to pursue careers in healthcare, social work, or public service, having discovered their passion through hands-on experience with our programs.
Group Volunteers, whether a church group, a corporate team, a civic club, or a group of friends, find that volunteering together combines teamwork with meaningful community service. Group volunteering is also one of the most effective ways to introduce an entire organization to our mission.
Beyond these general categories, we offer several Special Volunteering Needs programs designed for those looking for a more focused or ongoing commitment:
Our Senior Visitation Program pairs volunteers with older adults who may be isolated or living in care facilities, bringing warmth, friendship, and genuine conversation into their day. Loneliness is one of the quietest struggles many seniors face, and something as simple as sharing a story or reading together can remind someone that they are seen, valued, and loved.
The Adopt-A-Senior Program takes that commitment further, pairing volunteers or families with a senior for an ongoing, long-term relationship that goes beyond occasional visits. Volunteers in this program often assist with errands, celebrate birthdays, or simply check in by phone, small gestures that add up to tremendous comfort and belonging over time.
For those whose talents lie behind the scenes, our Administrative Support volunteers help keep the Foundation’s programs running smoothly, from organizing schedules and managing data to preparing for community events. Not every contribution needs to happen in front of the people we serve to make a real difference in their lives.
If any of these paths resonate with you, we invite you to take the next step and volunteer with us today.
Make a Donation
The Hartage Foundation relies on the generosity of donors to sustain and grow every program we offer. With over twelve years of experience providing professional legal guardianship services in Florida, we have seen firsthand how a single gift, large or small, can be the difference between a family navigating a crisis alone and a family receiving the trusted support they need.
When you donate to The Hartage Foundation, your gift is put to work in several concrete ways. It funds trusted legal guardianship services, providing professional, court-appointed guardianship for individuals who are unable to make decisions for themselves due to age, illness, or disability, and ensuring their safety, dignity, and legal rights remain protected. It provides financial assistance for family caregivers, many of whom sacrifice income and stability to care for a loved one and need direct support to ease that burden. It funds small grants for assisted living and memory care, helping families who are struggling to afford the cost of care centers access the services their loved ones need. It underwrites free guardianship consultations, giving families navigating guardianship, elder care, and long-term planning access to clarity and expert guidance at no cost. And through our partnerships with churches and local support groups, it delivers faith-based and community caregiver education that strengthens families and communities from the inside out.
Donations of any size, whether a one-time gift or a recurring contribution, help us continue this work. Every gift moves us closer to a Florida where guardianship, education, and caregiver support are available to every family who needs them, not just those who can afford them. If you are ready to make a difference today, you can donate to The Hartage Foundation and join a growing community of philanthropists who believe hope grows when it is shared.
STEM & Caregiver Education Scholarships
Education is one of the most powerful tools we have for breaking cycles of hardship and opening doors to opportunity. Through our STEM & Caregiver Education Scholarships, The Hartage Foundation supports African American students and aspiring caregivers who are working to build a better future for themselves and their communities.
Our STEM Education Fund empowers future innovators in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, fields where representation and opportunity have historically been out of reach for far too many talented students. Meanwhile, our Caregiver Support Education Fund uplifts individuals dedicated to compassionate service in healthcare and elder care, recognizing that the caregiving workforce of tomorrow deserves the same investment and encouragement as any other profession.
Supporting this program, whether through a direct donation, a scholarship endowment, or by helping us identify promising students, is one of the most direct ways to invest in the long-term strength of our community. Every scholarship we award represents not just a single student’s opportunity, but a ripple effect that reaches their family, their future patients or clients, and the broader community they will one day serve.
Advocacy for Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Caregivers
Behind nearly every person living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease stands a caregiver, whether a spouse, an adult child, a friend, or a professional, who gives their time, patience, and heart, often with little recognition and even less support. The Hartage Foundation’s advocacy programs exist to change that.
Our Advocacy for Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease program focuses on education, awareness, and policy advocacy, helping communities understand the realities of memory loss while promoting best practices in caregiving and support. We partner with healthcare providers, caregivers, and family members to champion access to quality care, informed decision-making, and emotional well-being for those affected by these diseases.
Our Advocacy for Caregiver Support & Training program is dedicated to empowering caregivers directly, through education, resources, and community connections that help them sustain their own well-being while caring for others. We believe that supporting the caregiver is inseparable from supporting the person receiving care. You cannot strengthen one without strengthening the other.
You can support these advocacy efforts by attending an awareness event, sharing educational resources within your own community, or contributing financially to programs that provide caregivers with the training and connection they need. Even a conversation that helps someone recognize the signs of caregiver burnout, or points a family toward the guardianship resources they need, is a form of advocacy that changes lives.
Partner With Us
Businesses, faith communities, civic organizations, and professional associations all have a role to play in strengthening the safety net for Florida’s vulnerable populations. The Hartage Foundation welcomes partnerships that align organizational resources and expertise with our mission.
A corporate partnership might take the form of sponsoring a scholarship, funding a volunteer day for your employees, or supporting a specific program such as Senior Visitation or Adopt-A-Senior. A faith community partnership often centers on caregiver education, hosting workshops or support groups that extend our advocacy work directly into the congregations and neighborhoods we serve. Professional associations in fields such as law, healthcare, and social work can partner with us to provide pro bono expertise, host informational sessions, or refer families who need guardianship or caregiver support.
If your organization is interested in exploring a partnership with The Hartage Foundation, we would welcome the conversation. Reach out to us through our contact page, and a member of our team will follow up to discuss how we might work together.
Spread the Word
Not every contribution requires a dollar amount or a scheduled shift. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can offer is your voice. Many families simply do not know that support like ours exists until someone in their own circle points them toward it.
Consider following us on social media and sharing our posts, mentioning our programs to a friend or colleague who may be navigating a caregiving situation, or inviting us to speak at a community event or professional gathering. Word of mouth remains one of the simplest ways to connect vulnerable individuals and overwhelmed caregivers with the support that can change their circumstances.
Leave a Legacy
For those who wish to make a lasting impact beyond their lifetime, planned giving offers a meaningful way to ensure that The Hartage Foundation’s work continues for future generations. Including the Foundation in your estate plans, establishing a named fund, or making a legacy gift are all ways to extend your generosity well into the future. If you are interested in learning more about legacy giving options, contact our team, and we will help you find the approach that best fits your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Involved
Is my donation to The Hartage Foundation tax-deductible? Yes. The Hartage Foundation is a registered nonprofit organization, and contributions made to support our guardianship, scholarship, and advocacy programs are generally tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We recommend keeping a copy of your donation confirmation for your records and consulting your tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
Do I need experience to volunteer? Not at all. Most of our volunteer opportunities, from Senior Visitation to Administrative Support, are designed to welcome people of any background or skill level. What matters most is a willingness to show up with compassion and consistency. For roles that do require specific training, such as certain guardianship-adjacent support functions, our team will walk you through everything you need to know before you begin.
Can students or minors volunteer? Yes. We welcome student volunteers and often work with schools, youth groups, and family volunteer teams. Depending on the specific program, a parent or guardian may need to accompany younger volunteers or provide written consent, and our team can advise on which opportunities are the best fit for a student’s age and availability.
How much time do I need to commit as a volunteer? As little or as much as you’re able to give. Some of our volunteers commit to a recurring weekly visit through the Adopt-A-Senior program, while others join us for a single group service day. We would rather have your time in whatever amount you can offer than not have it at all, so don’t let uncertainty about commitment keep you from reaching out.
What is the difference between donating and sponsoring a scholarship? A general donation supports the full range of Foundation programs, from guardianship services to caregiver assistance, and is allocated where the need is greatest. Sponsoring a scholarship, by contrast, directs your gift specifically toward our STEM & Caregiver Education Scholarships, and in some cases can be structured as a named award. Contact our team if you would like to explore setting one up.
How can my business or organization get involved beyond a one-time donation? Businesses, faith communities, and civic organizations can explore ongoing partnerships that include employee volunteer days, matching-gift programs, in-kind donations, sponsorships of specific events or scholarships, or co-hosted caregiver education workshops. Every partnership is shaped around what makes sense for your organization and our shared goals, so we encourage you to start the conversation through our contact page.
I don’t have money or time to give right now. Is there still a way to help? Absolutely. Simply having a conversation with someone who might benefit from our services, or pointing a struggling family toward the resources we offer, costs nothing but can open the door to real support. Advocacy and awareness are contributions in their own right.
Help Hartage Hope Happen
Hope begins with people who care enough to act. Whether you volunteer an afternoon, contribute to a scholarship fund, share our mission with your community, or partner with us on a larger initiative, you become part of a family of changemakers dedicated to compassion in action.
Every hour you give, every gift you make, and every story you share brings comfort, learning, and love to those who need it most. Together, we can continue building a legacy of kindness and care that touches lives for generations to come.
Ready to get started? Volunteer with us, make a donation, or contact our team to learn more about partnership and legacy giving opportunities. Help Hartage Hope Happen, today and for years to come.