AARP Community Challenge

communitychallenge@aarp.org

The AARP Community Challenge provides funding for projects that work to improve livability for all residents of a community. Applications from rural communities are encouraged.

Grant opportunities include:

• Flagship grants:
  • Public places
  • Transportation and mobility
  • Housing
  • Digital connections
  • Community resilience
  • Disaster preparedness
• Capacity building micro-grants:
  • Disaster preparedness training
  • Bike audits
  • Home modifications
  • Walk audits
• Demonstration grants:
  • Pedestrian safety
  • High speed internet access
  • Reconnecting communities divided by infrastructure
  • Implementing housing design competitions that increase community understanding and encourage policies that enable greater choice in housing

Eligible applicants include:

• 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations
• Government entities
• Other types of organizations, considered on a case-by-case basis

Project types that will be prioritized:

• Permanent physical improvements in the community
• Temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term change
• New, innovative programming pilots or services

Grant amounts:

• Flagship grants - Up to $25,000, with the average award between $10,000 - $12,000
• Capacity building micro grants - $2,500
• Demonstration grants - Up to $25,000, with the average award between $10,000 - $12,000

Links to additional guidance, application instructions, and the online application are available on the program website.