Foster Grandparent Program of Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz & Santa Clara Counties

Foster Grandparents earn a tax-free stipend while serving as volunteer mentors and tutors to disadvantaged children and youth in schools, Head Start Centers and other agencies. Join a popular and respected national program that’s been active in your community for over thirty years.

Who can be a Foster Grandparent?

Foster Grandparents are individuals age 55 and over who thrive on direct interaction with children and believe they can make a difference in their lives. They are interested in providing 15 - 20 hours per week of volunteer service and have an individual annual income of less than $22,000.


Foster Grandparent Program advantages:


  • Encourages volunteer work from a neglected portion of the community: low-income seniors.
  • Measurably improves the academic performance of children and youth who are tutored and mentored.
  • Exposes children and youth to the companionship, emotional stability, and expertise of seniors.
  • Brings senior volunteers into direct one-on-one contact with children and youth with special needs.
  • Non-taxable stipend increases monthly income of senior volunteers by 30%.
  • Gives status and meaning to the life of seniors who might otherwise spend all their time at home.

Foster Grandparent Program benefits:


  • Tax-free stipend averaging $220 per month. It is not income and cannot be used to calculate eligibility for federal and state entitlements like Social Security, SSI, MediCare, MediCal, HUD housing, etc.
  • Monthly training session including all-you-can-eat lunch
  • Reimbursement for transportation – mileage or bus pass;
  • A hot meal each day at the work site or a cash lunch subsidy
  • Paid Time Off
  • Accident and liability insurance while on duty
  • Annual Recognition Luncheon and Gifts