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4 min read 5 stepsMay 9, 2026Verified May 2026

What Is the Foster Grandparent Program and Who Qualifies

Adults 55 and older can mentor at-risk children for a tax-free stipend through this federal AmeriCorps Seniors program. Here is how it works.

At a Glance

Confirm you meet the basic eligibility requirements

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You must be 55 years of age or older. You must be able to serve at least 15 hours per week (some sites allow up to 40 hours). You must meet the income requirement, which for 2026 is roughly 200 percent of the federal poverty line — for a single person that is about $30,120 per year, and for a two-person household about $40,880. The exact figure changes each year and varies by state. You also must pass a federal criminal background check and be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident.

Understand what the role involves

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Foster Grandparents do not teach a class or take responsibility for medical care. You support a child or small group of children alongside a paid staff member — a teacher, social worker, or caregiver. Typical tasks include reading aloud, tutoring math or reading, playing educational games, helping children practice language skills, comforting a child who is upset, or assisting with arts and crafts. You serve at one site, with the same children, on a regular schedule — this consistency is the point of the program.

Know the benefits beyond the stipend

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Foster Grandparents receive a tax-free hourly stipend (currently $4.00 per hour at most sites, set by federal rule and not counted as income for SSI, SNAP, public housing, or Medicaid). You also get reimbursement for transportation (or a meal during service), supplemental accident and liability insurance while serving, an annual physical exam at no cost, ongoing training, and recognition events. Many volunteers say the biggest benefit is the sense of purpose and the relationships with the children they serve.

Find the program in your area

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Visit americorps.gov/serve/americorps-seniors and use the program locator. Enter your ZIP code and select Foster Grandparent Program. The locator shows the local sponsor organization, the program director name, and a phone number. You can also call AmeriCorps Seniors at 800-942-2677. If there is no Foster Grandparent program in your county, ask about the Senior Companion Program or RSVP, which serve different needs.

Talk with a few different sites before committing

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Sponsors place volunteers in many different settings — preschools, elementary schools, hospitals, group homes, juvenile facilities, and homes for children with developmental disabilities. The work feels very different in each one. Ask the local sponsor if you can visit two or three sites before choosing. A retired kindergarten teacher might love a Head Start placement. A former nurse might prefer the hospital nursery. The right match makes the experience rewarding for years.

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The Foster Grandparent Program is a federal volunteer program run by AmeriCorps Seniors. It connects adults age 55 and older with children who need a caring mentor — kids in Head Start classrooms, public schools, after-school programs, hospitals, juvenile detention centers, and homes for children with special needs. Foster Grandparents serve between 15 and 40 hours per week and receive a small tax-free hourly stipend, plus mileage reimbursement to and from their service site.

The program started in 1965 and now operates in every state through local sponsor organizations — nonprofits, schools, and community agencies that partner with AmeriCorps Seniors to recruit and place volunteers. More than 24,000 Foster Grandparents serve across the United States each year, reaching over 200,000 children.

The core idea is straightforward. Older adults have wisdom, patience, and time. Many children — especially those in low-income communities or those who have experienced trauma — need a steady, caring adult presence. The program matches those two needs. A Foster Grandparent might read aloud to a struggling first-grader every morning, sit beside a teenager learning math, or rock a baby in a hospital nursery.

To qualify, you must be at least 55 years old, in reasonably good health, and meet an income guideline (currently around 200 percent of the federal poverty line, which varies by household size). You also must pass a background check. No teaching certificate, college degree, or special training is required — local sponsors provide orientation and ongoing training.

(Sources: AmeriCorps Seniors — americorps.gov/serve/americorps-seniors/foster-grandparent-program; AARP Foundation; FoodCorps and Senior Corps Annual Reports.)

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