The Council on Aging of Greater Nashville was founded in 1985 as a recommendation from a Mayoral task force on senior issues. The task force saw the need for a nonpartisan group to continually study gaps in services for seniors. Until 2001, COA operated as a program of the Council of Community Services. It is now an independent 501c3 non-profit agency.

The mission of COA is to find comprehensive solutions for the unmet needs of seniors and caregivers.