Pathways to Encore Purpose Project

A research collaboration between Stanford Graduate School of Education’s Center on Adolescence and CoGenerate

The Stanford University research team examined older adults’ life goals, prosocial values and behaviors, perspectives on the progression to later life, and prevalence of purpose in their post-midlife, or encore, years.

Information was gathered through a nationally representative survey of nearly 1,200 adults, ages 50-90, followed by in-depth interviews with 102 of survey respondents to determine what role “purpose” plays in their lives. Taken together, the quantitative and qualitative data give us a first-ever picture of how purpose beyond the self looks and functions among older adults.

This mixed-methods study resulted in six key findings. The first four findings are supported by the survey data. The last two are based primarily on the interviews.

This series of applied research briefs highlights each of the study’s six major findings, with a focus on what they might mean for leaders in the field working to engage 50+ adults in purpose.

Download the overview and 6 research briefs:

• Overview: Six Key Findings & Applied Research Briefs
• Brief #1: Help Wanted? Ask Someone 50+
• Brief #2: Beyond the Self: 34 Million Older Adults Committed to Common Good
• Brief #3: Purpose is for Everyone
• Brief #4: Living with Purpose in the Encore Years: Not a Zero Sum Game
• Brief #5: Positive Outlook
• Brief #6: Freedom and Flexibility Matter

To complement the Stanford research, CoGenerate conducted a national survey to learn more about the landscape of programs and organizations that support older adults’ purposeful goals. This survey sought to better understand the services available to individuals seeking pro bono and paid engagements with social purpose organizations; and the services available to organizations that want to engage these purpose-seekers.

In the course of analyzing the survey responses, and based on decades of work in this field, the CoGenerate team also identified opportunities for new programs and offerings to fill gaps that became apparent.

Pathways to Encore Purpose Project

A research collaboration between Stanford Graduate School of Education’s Center on Adolescence and CoGenerate

The Stanford University research team examined older adults’ life goals, prosocial values and behaviors, perspectives on the progression to later life, and prevalence of purpose in their post-midlife, or encore, years.

Information was gathered through a nationally representative survey of nearly 1,200 adults, ages 50-90, followed by in-depth interviews with 102 of survey respondents to determine what role “purpose” plays in their lives. Taken together, the quantitative and qualitative data give us a first-ever picture of how purpose beyond the self looks and functions among older adults.

This mixed-methods study resulted in six key findings. The first four findings are supported by the survey data. The last two are based primarily on the interviews.

This series of applied research briefs highlights each of the study’s six major findings, with a focus on what they might mean for leaders in the field working to engage 50+ adults in purpose.

Read the overview and 6 research briefs:

• Overview: Six Key Findings & Applied Research Briefs
• Brief #1: Help Wanted? Ask Someone 50+
• Brief #2: Beyond the Self: 34 Million Older Adults Committed to Common Good
• Brief #3: Purpose is for Everyone
• Brief #4: Living with Purpose in the Encore Years: Not a Zero Sum Game
• Brief #5: Positive Outlook
• Brief #6: Freedom and Flexibility Matter

To complement the Stanford research, CoGenerate conducted a national survey to learn more about the landscape of programs and organizations that support older adults’ purposeful goals. This survey sought to better understand the services available to individuals seeking pro bono and paid engagements with social purpose organizations; and the services available to organizations that want to engage these purpose-seekers.

In the course of analyzing the survey responses, and based on decades of work in this field, the Encore.org team also identified opportunities for new programs and offerings to fill gaps that became apparent.