On January 9th, AARP opened its Community Challenge grant program. This program funds quick-action projects to make communities more livable for long-term change. 

The AARP Community Challenge is accepting applications for projects that benefit residents across three different grant opportunities:

• Flagship Grants: This is AARP’s flagship Community Challenge grant program where grants have ranged from several hundred dollars for smaller, short-term activities to tens of thousands of dollars for larger projects. These grants will support projects that improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and community resilience.
• Capacity-Building Microgrants: These $2,500 grants are combined with additional resources, such as webinars, cohort learning opportunities, up to two hours of one-on-one expert support with leading national organizations and AARP publications. This grant opportunity will accept applications for projects that support Disaster Preparedness Training, Walk Audits, Bike Audits and HomeFit® Guide Modifications.
• Demonstration Grants: Supporting demonstration efforts that encourage replication of promising local efforts, this grant opportunity will accept applications for enhancing pedestrian safety with funding support from Toyota Motor North America; expanding high-speed internet (broadband) access and adoption with funding support from Microsoft; reconnecting communities divided by infrastructure; and housing design competitions.

Applications are being accepted now through Wednesday, March 5th at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT. Applications must be submitted through AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. 

Click here for more information.