Impacts of organizational ties for senior centers: Findings from a collective case study in Portland, Oregon

•Senior centers varied in their organizational ties, social capital from ties, and how ties impacted centers' functioning.•Organizational ties primarily impacted centers' administration and funding, programming and community presence.•Ties produced positive social capital and benefits such as such as stable funding, shared resources, and increased diversity.•Organizational ties created unique challenges that impacted senior center administration.