It’s Time for a Group Hug: Our Heartfelt Thanks to Our Donors
To all of our Road Scholar supporters, we say “thank you!” Thanks to our community of donor heroes, Road Scholar has brought the joy of learning to over six million participants since we began in 1975. In 2024 alone, 137,993 adult learners experienced life-changing adventures. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year, we pause to say thanks! We couldn’t have done it without the dedication of those who have supported us.

Only with our donors’ help have we worked to create engaging, new educational experiences — around the world and online — to meet the evolving needs of our lifelong learners. The incredible program offerings in our January 2025 catalog are a testament to our donors. Additionally, the generosity of our donors supported Caregiver Grants, financial assistance and scholarships for educators who face financial burdens.
In 2024, our donors helped us achieve the following milestones:
- Welcome 93,393 older adults on learning adventures around the globe.
- Engage 44,600 Road Scholar participants in virtual lectures and Adventures Online multi-day programs.
- Offer 4,481 departures on 661 unique Road Scholar programs.
- Award more than 200 scholarships and grants to primary caregivers, educators, and those who would otherwise be unable to participate in a life-changing learning adventure without your support.
Thanks to our donors, we are able to offer free lectures each month so that everyone in our community can enjoy a learning adventure, regardless of their financial means. In special celebration of our 50th anniversary, we hope you’ll join us online for Doris Kearns Goodwin on Leadership in Turbulent Times, on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 2 p.m. (ET)/11 a.m. (PT). A world-renowned presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Doris Kearns Goodwin will discuss leadership in challenging times throughout U.S history and demonstrate how history provides lessons, solace and even hope.
Only through our inspiring community of participants and donors can we continue to grow and enrich the lives of thousands of older adults. It truly does take a village!