Pop-up grandmas.Real connection.Zero agenda.

A mobile Grandma Stand^™ where anyone can sit down with a grandma and chat.
A 501(c)(3) non-profit based in NYC and expanding across the world.

A mobile Grandma Stand^™ where anyone can sit down with a grandma and chat.

Donate Now

Get Involved

Pop-up grandmas.Real connection.Zero agenda.

A mobile Grandma Stand^™ where anyone can sit down with a grandma and chat. A 501(c)(3) non-profit based in NYC and expanding across the world.

Donate Now

Get Involved

As seen on

As seen on

Find a stand

11 cities and growing

Tap a pin to see the city

Bring a Stand to Your City

The woman who inspired it all

Grandma Eileen

1917–2018

Mike Matthews started the Grandma Stand in 2012, after a coworker walked into his NYC office in tears over a breakup and, on a whim, he gave her the phone number for his 96-year-old grandmother, Eileen, back in Washington state.

"I know this sounds crazy, but here's my grandma's landline number."

2012

A heartbroken coworker calls Mike's 96-year-old grandma, Eileen, and comes back the next day feeling completely lifted.

2012–18

Eileen talks with thousands of New Yorkers from a lemonade stand with a laptop and headphones.

2024

The stand returns, painted purple, her favorite color, with her face built into the design.

Today

Volunteer grandmas sit in person at stands in 12 cities.

"I know this sounds crazy, but here's my grandma's landline number."

In 2012, on a beautiful day in NYC, a hipster co-worker walked into Mike Matthews' office and broke down in tears over a recent break-up. Mike was completely caught off guard as he'd never seen this cool co-worker so vulnerable.

Struggling to say the right things, Mike had an impression to connect her with his 96 year-old grandma, Eileen, who lived in Sammamish, WA.

Mike slid a piece of paper across his desk and said, "I know this sounds crazy, but here's my grandma's landline number. If you feel up to it, she's pretty incredible to talk to."

The co-worker replied, "yes, that IS crazy! You want me to call your grandma whom I've never met, and talk about a breakup?"...

Read the Grandma Stand Origin Story

Read the Origin Story

A boy shakes hands with Grandma Jennifer at the Grandma Stand

Photo: IronZeal Films

Now streaming on PBS

Watch the documentary

Strangers sit down in New York's Central Park, and grandmas listen.

Grandma Stand · 56 min · Free on PBS.org and the PBS app

Watch on PBS

Get involved

Help us grow

Keep the stands popping up

Every gift helps bring purple stands and volunteer grandmas to more cities.

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Other ways to give

Give stock

Donating appreciated stock may help you avoid capital gains tax. Email hello@grandmastand.com and we'll send our transfer details.

Donor-advised fund

Give through your DAF directly in our Givebutter form, or recommend a grant to Grandma Stand Foundation using our EIN below.

By check

Make checks payable to Grandma Stand Foundation and mail to:

395 Riverside Drive #4D
New York, NY 10025

EIN 33-4515164 · Grandma Stand Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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Pop-up grandmas.Real connection.Zero agenda.

Pop-up grandmas.Real connection.Zero agenda.

As seen on

As seen on

As seen on

As seen on

As seen on

11 cities and growing

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Grandma Eileen

Watch the documentary

Help us grow

Keep the stands popping up

Other ways to give

Give stock

Donor-advised fund

By check