History

Archstone Foundation was formed in 1985 when FHP, Inc., a nonprofit HMO, became a for-profit corporation, and was required by California state law to convert the fair market value of its assets into a charitable foundation. The FHP Foundation's Board of Directors identified healthcare and older adults as one of the Foundation's central interests, in part due to FHP’s longstanding focus on healthcare and Medicare contracts.

In 1995, the Foundation assessed its mission, governance, and the results of its first ten years of grantmaking. At that time, the Foundation decided to focus exclusively on issues related to aging to build synergies among its grantees and increase the measurable impact of its funding.

The name Archstone Foundation was selected in 1996 to create a separate identity from FHP, which was acquired by PacifiCare Health Systems. An "archstone" is an important linking piece in an architectural span or vault.

The Foundation’s name represents its desire to serve as a social sector connector, a partner, and supporter of organizations and individuals in California devoted to the greater good. It also reflects the Foundation's commitment to partnership and to creating enduring change.

Archstone Foundation's logo represents the notion of partnerships and the value of the three broad generations in our society working together to make the aging process a valued one in our society. The darker green arch represents our older adult population, the medium green arch our young and middle-aged adults, and the lighter green arch, our children and youth.

Sustained Leadership in the Field

Archstone Foundation has taken a critical leadership role in the field of aging and philanthropy. Thirty-three years ago, the Foundation, in partnership with Retirement Research Foundation (now RRF Foundation for Aging), The John A. Hartford Foundation, and AARP Andrus Foundation, funded Grantmakers In Aging as an informal affinity group to incorporate, to hire its first executive director, and to open a national office. It has since become the nation’s premier affinity group in the field.

Archstone Foundation is also keenly aware that when it comes to the most significant grant giving by large United States foundations, less than one percent of those grant dollars are spent on causes related to aging. This has long inspired our longstanding work to encourage other funders to take an interest in improving the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers.

Click here to learn more about our legacy grantmaking.