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“The aging of America isn’t so much a problem to be solved as it is an opportunity to be seized.” Marc Freedman, a founder of the encore movement.
The Encore Network is a coalition of individuals and organizations from around the world that have embraced the idea that older adults are incredible resources. I joined the Encore Boston network (EBN) several years ago and attend events, present workshops and made wonderful connections. EBN colleagues introduce the network during my workshops for advisors.
Having counseled numerous clients through the retirement process, I realized there was often a missing piece to the puzzle – purpose! To be happy, retirees need something meaningful to wake up for every day. At this critical juncture however, time, money and happiness need to be balanced before you decide what’s next. My book, Your Encore, is a retirement planning guide designed to work through this balancing act – to narrow down the choices. With workable alternatives, readers can then turn to my list below of coalition organizations.
You can support the national Encore movement by sharing these resources with anyone trying to figure out what’s next after their career.
Encore communities
Encore Network
https://encorenetwork.org/
Find local organizations and fellow travelers you can connect with for encore programs and opportunities.
Gen2Gen (encore.org)
https://generationtogeneration.org/
Find people and organizations that are connecting the generations to help kids thrive.
The Transition Network
https://www.thetransitionnetwork.org/
Find chapters of professional women around the country who are making the encore transition together.
Project Renewment Groups
https://www.renewment.org/
Groups of career women supporting one another through the transition from work to retirement.
Life Planning Network
https://myredstring.com/lifeplanningnetwork/
Professional community of life planning coaches, career counselors, financial advisors and other professionals that advise people over 50.
Encore paid work
While many people think about working or volunteering for a nonprofit in their encore years, many also work for mission-driven or purposeful businesses, many of which specifically designate themselves as having a double or triple bottom line or as “benefit corporations.” Any business that serves a social purpose, and there are many, could be as much an encore choice as nonprofits. In addition, many people go into government service, either as paid staff, elected officials or serving on state or municipal boards, commissions or as volunteers. Local government positions are often posted on the town website.
RetirementJobs.com
https://www.retirementjobs.com
Companies like RetirementJobs.com are filling a void by helping older workers keep their skills and expertise on the job.
Idealist
https://www.idealist.org
With more than 120,000 nonprofit organizations and 1.4 million monthly visitors to its English and Spanish sites, Idealist is a non-profit clearinghouse that helps people move from intention to action all over the world.
RetiredBrains.com
https://www.retiredbrains.com
This non-profit Jobs Center has both paid part-time and full-time jobs and unpaid Board of Director openings.
Commongood Careers/Koya Leadership Partners
https://koyapartners.com
This search firm places directors and managers into nonprofit organizations.
The Philanthropy News Digest
https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/
This Jobs Board has openings at foundations and nonprofits.
The National Council of Nonprofits
https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/nonprofit-jobs-and-careers
Here you can search by keyword, field, location, salary, level, (entry, experienced or internship) and required education.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
https://www.philanthropy.com
The Jobs page lists opportunities in fundraising, executive, programming and administrative areas.
Encore pro bono and volunteer service:
Points of Light
https://www.pointsoflight.org/for-volunteers/
Listing of local and statewide organizations that match volunteers to nonprofits.
All Hands and Hearts
https://www.allhandsandhearts.org/
Recruiting site for volunteers to respond to natural disasters, offering both immediate relief and longer-term recovery support.
Americorps
https://americorps.gov/
Short and long-term volunteer service opportunities to meet pressing challenges in local communities.
Peace Corps
https://www.peacecorps.gov/
Extended international volunteer opportunities in health, education, entrepreneurship and more. Couples welcome.
Teach for America
https://www.teachforamerica.org/
Extended commitment to teaching in grades K-12 in local school districts.
Many local schools and colleges will hire transitioning professionals directly into full-time, part-time and substitute positions if certain learning and certification requirements are met.
Executive Service Corps
https://www.escus.org/
National network of local organizations that provide consulting, coaching and other services to nonprofits, schools and government agencies.
Inspiring Service
https://inspiringservice.org/
Locations where this new platform is up and running to help people find their ways to help.
Volunteer service listings
If still working, check out volunteer options through:
Freelance, Remote and Flexible work options – see those listed at
https://encorebostonnetwork.org/
Encore entrepreneurship and social ventures
Work for Yourself@50+
https://workforyourself.aarpfoundation.org/
Business startup toolkit from AARP Foundation.
SCORE
https://www.score.org/
Find business mentors, workshops and other startup supports.
SBA Encore Entrepreneur
https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2018-02/Encore_Entrepreneur_Checklist.pdf
Checklist for starting your own business with links to SBA resources.
Founders Over 55 Club
https://www.foundersover55.com
Collegial community of business founders and entrepreneurs in encore careers.
Many people start projects that serve a short-term or longer-term need in their communities or elsewhere in the world, but are not nonprofits or businesses. These can be independent initiatives or formed in partnership with existing organizations.
Encore philanthropy
Social Venture Partners
https://www.socialventurepartners.org/
Donors pool their funds and make collective decisions about which nonprofits and social enterprises to invest in, while offering their skills and support services for greater impact.
GuideStar USA, Inc
https://www.guidestar.org/
An information service specializing in reporting on U.S. nonprofit companies. In 2016, its database provided information on 2.5 million organizations.
Charity Navigator
https://www.charitynavigator.org/
Founded in 2001, Charity Navigator has become the nation's largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. In our quest to help donors, our team of professional analysts have examined tens of thousands of non-profit financial documents. We've used this knowledge to develop an unbiased, objective, numbers-based rating system to assess over 9,000 of America's best-known and some lesser known, but worthy, charities.
GoFundMe
https://www.gofundme.com
Lists well-known and top-rated nonprofits that have branches across the US. It also shares resources that can help you find additional local charities and ways to give back.
Donor-advised funds
Many financial institutions sponsor donor advised funds which may provide significant tax advantages when donating securities that have appreciated in value. Post contribution the positions are sold, invested and held until the donor directs contributions to IRS qualified charities.
Encore books
Your Encore: How to Balance Time, Money and Joy – Glenn Frank (timemoneyandjoy.com)
Encore Career Handbook: How to Make a Living and a Difference in the Second Half of Life – Marci Alboher
How to Live Forever: The Enduring Power of Connecting the Generations – Marc Freedman
Great Jobs for Everyone 50+: Finding Work That Keeps You Happy and Healthy… and Pays the Bills – Kerry Hannon
Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Semi-Retirement – Nancy Collamer
Never Too Old to Get Rich: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Starting a Business Mid-Life – Kerry Hannon
Ageless Startup: Start a Business at Any Age – Rick Terrien
Discover Your Encore – Doug Dickson
Life Planning for You – George Kinder
These resources were compiled by Doug Dickson and Glenn Frank. Doug is the board chair of Encore Boston Network. He was previously president of Discovering What's Next and the Life Planning Network. In 2010, he co-founded the national Encore Network. Glenn authored Your Encore, Amazon. He is a director at Lexington Wealth Management/Hightower and has been an educator/advisor since 1995.
Read more articles by Glenn Frank
Advisor Perspectives welcomes guest contributions. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Advisor Perspectives.
