Together for What’s Next
Building connections, strengthening communities and preparing for the opportunities and challenges of a growing older adult population.
What We Accomplished Together
A message from our president and CEO
As our communities continue to change, so do the opportunities and challenges that come with a growing older adult population.
In 2025, Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging worked alongside older adults, caregivers, community organizations, health care providers and public partners to strengthen the support systems we all rely on every day. Together, we connected people with trusted resources, invested in community services and advanced innovative approaches that help communities prepare for the future. This report highlights just a few of the ways we are working together for what’s next.
Dawn Simonson
President and CEO
Trusted Answers. Personalized Assistance.
Minnesota Aging pathways is a service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging and Minnesota’s other area agencies on aging. Minnesota Aging Pathways connects older Minnesotans and caregivers with the services and support they need. Whether someone has questions about Medicare, needs help finding community resources or is facing a complex housing or caregiving situation, Minnesota Aging Pathways provides trusted information, personalized assistance and connections to local support.
Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging statistics in 2025:
- 24,617 calls answered
- 2,157 in-person Resource Coordination visits
- 12,544 resources maintained in Minnesota Aging and Disability Resources
A Resource Coordinator helped a client behind on rent apply for SNAP, energy assistance and the Medicare Savings Program. The support helped the client avoid an electricity shutoff and connect with additional housing assistance through the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans. Minnesota Aging Pathways continues to provide follow-up support as the client works toward greater financial stability.
Investing in Community Support
Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging works with community organizations to ensure older adults and caregivers can access services and support close to home. Through funding, technical assistance and partnerships, we help strengthen local organizations that provide meals, caregiver support, transportation, health promotion programs and other essential services. Together, we are building a network of support that helps communities respond to today’s needs while preparing for the future.
- $12.3 million invested in community services
- 37 community organizations funded
- 24,954 people served
Partner Spotlight: United Cambodian Association of Minnesota
Serving nearly 200 Cambodian older adults, UCAM provides transportation, meals, translation assistance, social activities and other culturally responsive services that help participants remain connected to their community, culture and one another.
See How UCAM Builds CommunityWhere Healthcare Meets Community
Juniper helps people improve their health, maintain their independence and stay connected to their communities through evidence-based wellness programs. Working with community organizations and healthcare partners across Minnesota, Juniper makes it easier for people to access programs that build strength, improve balance, prevent falls and support healthier living. Through its Community Care Hub model, Juniper is also creating stronger connections between healthcare and community-based services, helping people live more healthy days.
Adrienne Wiggins, a retired occupational therapist from South Minneapolis, turned to Juniper’s SAIL and Tai Ji Quan classes after a series of falls made her realize it was time to prioritize her own health. Since beginning the class, Adrienne hasn’t fallen again, crediting the muscle memory and balance skills she’s built in class. Beyond the physical gains, Adrienne has found mental stimulation, a stronger sense of confidence and a community she now shares with her sister, whom she recruited to join her. Her story is a powerful reminder of how movement, connection and great instruction can help people truly thrive.
“I’ve gained strength, balance and confidence. It’s literally a life saver.”
Adrienne, Juniper participant
Helping People Navigate Dementia
Understanding dementia can lead to stronger support for those who live with it every day. We work to increase awareness, reduce stigma and help individuals and families navigate life with dementia. Through Dementia Friends, professional education programs and Care Ecosystem dementia navigation services, we are helping ensure more people can access the knowledge, support and connections they need.
“I referred a mother and daughter to the Care Ecosystem program. They shared that the resources and support their care navigator provided have been life changing.”
Social worker, Washington County
Protecting Benefits and Strengthening Services
Independence and financial security should not depend on a person’s ability to navigate complex systems alone. Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging helps older adults protect the benefits they have earned while advocating for the services and supports that make it possible to remain active, engaged and independent. From recovering retirement benefits to strengthening access to meals and transportation, this work helps ensure older adults can live with greater stability, dignity and choice.
A client spent two years trying to recover a pension from a former employer. An attorney from the Mid America Pension Project made inquiries, sent letters, and eventually contacted the company’s chief counsel over a federal law violation. The next day, the pension plan confirmed the benefit was owed — the client received a lump sum, which he used to pay off his home equity loan.
Extending our Reach
Volunteers help bring trusted information and support to older adults and caregivers throughout the region. From Medicare counseling and community presentations to outreach and education, volunteers play an essential role in expanding our impact and helping more people connect with the resources they need.
2025 Financial Summary
View our full financial report, including how Older Americans Act funding was invested in our community.
Donors and Supporters
Major Funding Partners
We are grateful for the foundations, governmental units and businesses that help support our mission through grants, contracts and sponsorships.
- Administration for Community Living
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
- HealthPartners
- Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
- M Health Fairview East Side Health & Well-Being Collaborative
- Minnesota Board on Aging
- Minnesota Department of Health
- Minnesota Department of Human Services
- National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
- National Council on Aging
- UCare Minnesota
Individual and Organizational Contributors
- Cindy Aegerter
- Allina Health
- James and Beverly Anderson
- Mark Anderson
- Cynthia Atsatt
- Jeff and Anita Bangsberg
- Barbara A. Heinz Trust
- Brandon Becker
- Josh Berg
- Bob Besinger
- Denise and Jon Beusen
- Nancy Boterman
- Andy Brown
- Ginger Carroll
- Barbara Champlin
- Rachita Chandak
- Asha and Shrinarayan Chandak
- Deb Courts-Brown
- Mark Cullen
- Dennis Dahlman
- Robert Davy
- Kathleen Dempsey
- Juie Deo
- Lalitagauri Deshpande
- Stacy Dunn
- Rebecca Ervasti
- Krista Fink
- Holly Fistler
- Rory Foley
- Hannah Fox
- Fredrikson and Byron Foundation
- Iris Freeman and Warren Woessner
- Hemali Gandhi
- Vicki Gerrits
- Diane and Perri Graham-Raff
- Jiselle and Gregory Graves
- Sandeep and Prabha Gupta
- William Hamlin
- Mindy Hangsleben
- Kelley Hempel
- Anne L. Henry
- Doug Hill
- William Holland
- James R. Thorpe Foundation
- Neil Johnson
- Narendrakumar Kale
- Pooja Kamath
- Dee Keepers
- Rose Hill Stay-at-Home Services
- Karen Lahn
- Dave Lankford
- Adeel Lari
- John LeBlanc
- Stephanie Lein Walseth
- Mary Lenard
- Carol Lenhart
- Maren Levad
- Connie Lewandowski
- Christine Luckeroth
- Beckie Lueck
- Margaret Luhrs and Leif Bjornson
- Randall and Corrine Mahlman
- Judith Marshall
- Raymond Martin, Jr.
- Jane McCarthy
- Pat McGraw
- Joann Merrill
- Kathy Messerli
- Gauri and Girish Mhaskar
- Georgette Micheletti
- Sherilyn Moe
- Kyle Molin‡
- Rajean Moone
- Elizabeth Mosca
- Geetha Nathan
- John and Patricia Nelson
- Mary K. Nicodemus
- Leon Oman
- Kris Orluck
- Vanne Owens Hayes and Ward Bell
- Prema Palaniappan
- Ruby A Pediangco
- Penzeys Spices
- Mary Peterson
- Julie Pfab
- Beth and Gregory Pooley
- Robert Power
- Angie Purcell
- Mary Quirk
- Ram Rajagopalan
- Ramanathan Ramanathan
- Seema Rathi
- Renee R. Reed
- John Reich
- Michael K. Richards
- Linda Rohs
- Julie Roles
- Michael Rothman
- MJ Ryan
- Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation
- Emily Scholtes
- Tawny Schotzko†
- Sandra Selinski-Watson
- SFM Mutual Insurance Company
- Ganesh Shanmugam
- Stephen Shuman
- Dawn Simonson
- Aaron Sinner
- Mark Skeie
- David Smith
- Charles Sommerdorf
- Vivek Soni
- Jo Ann Stibbe
- Stinson LLP
- Judy Stromback
- Bhavana Subramanian
- Raj Sureka
- Rachana Sureka
- Rupali Tandon
- Vasavi Tankala
- Sheila Terryll
- Mala Thao
- Usha Thawani
- Bill Tiedemann
- Katie Tougas
- Sarah Urtel
- Anne Marie Vorbach†
- Taiha Wagner
- Kelly Walter
- John Ward
- Tara Donohue Weiss
- Martin Wera
- Pam Will
- Mary Youle
- Carla Zbacnik
- Ellie Zuehlke
- Deb Zwickey
Board of Directors
Vanne Owens Hayes
Chair
Mike Rothman
Vice Chair
Alison Colton
Secretary and Governance Committee Chair
Adeel Lari
Treasurer and Audit and Finance Committee Chair
Jeff Bangsberg
Planning Committee Chair
Ram Rajagopalan
Development Committee Chair
Josh Berg
Lisbeth Cachima
Kathleen Dempsey
Matt Koncar
Becky Stibbe
Sarah Urtel
David Van Sant
Carla Zbacnik
Ellie Zuehlke
Leadership Staff
Dawn Simonson
President and CEO
Andy Brown
Vice President of Communications and Engagement
Mark Cullen
Vice President of Strategy and Business Development
Mike Frazho
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Nicole Pace
Human Resources Director
These stories and accomplishments reflect the efforts of countless partners, volunteers, staff, donors and advocates working together to support older adults and caregivers. We look forward to continuing this work and preparing for what’s next.
Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging is funded in part by the Minnesota Board on Aging under the Older Americans Act.