AARP Launches Community Challenge Grant Program to Help Make Communities Better Places to Live for All Ages

AARP is now accepting applications for Community Challenge grants to fund projects that spark change in local communities. The grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative that aims to make our communities great places to live for everyone.

“Communities that provide residents with options to get the most out of the place they call home, no matter their age, can take a long time to build and sustain,” said Nora Duncan, state director of AARP Connecticut. “However, AARP believes meaningful and impactful actions, such as this Community Challenge grant program, can be the critical spark that is needed for longer-term progress.”

The program is open to 501(C) (3) and 501(C) (4) non-profits and government entities.
Projects might range from a small, short-term activity that costs hundreds to a more sizable project requiring thousands of dollars.   Projects need to deliver on the following drivers for change, including:
• Improving a community’s built environment to benefit all ages and ability levels (and connect to the social environment). For example:
o Transforming vacant or underutilized public spaces
o Creating intergenerational playgrounds
o Installing traffic calming measures, like circles, street trees, crosswalk enhancements, etc.
o Pop-up projects to highlight positive changes that communities can make to roadways (temporary or permanent bike lanes, roundabouts, etc.) and expand transportation options
• Driving community engagement and interaction across diverse community residents (e.g., culture/art, local communication, public space/place-making, sports, education, well-being / healthy living, etc.) For example:
o Hosting activities to encourage healthy eating and exercise
o Holding Open Streets programs and festivals to encourage people to walk and bike through the community
o Leveraging Pop Up/tactical urbanism demonstrations to create parklets, etc.

AARP Connecticut is working in collaboration with communities across the state, bringing people together and providing resources and expertise to help make Connecticut’s counties, towns and cities great places to live for residents of all ages.

In a recent survey by AARP Research, 78 percent of registered Connecticut voters encompassing a wide age and demographic spectrum feel it is important for them to live in their community and the state for as long as possible, with 50 percent saying it is very important.

A majority of Connecticut voters, regardless of age, believe their communities do include safe neighborhoods, public libraries, parks or recreation centers, and good public schools, but many people indicated that certain important community features do not exist and their community needs them.

Duncan added, “The recent survey shows us Connecticut voters want to remain in their communities, while signifying the need for our state to address gaps in the quality of important safety, economic and health resources available. We encourage local non-profit and government entities to capitalize on the opportunity and apply for one of the Community Challenge grants.”

The application deadline is July 15, 2017 and all projects must be completed by November 1, 2017.  All applications must be submitted through AARP.org/CommunityChallenge.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visit http://www.aarp.org/ or follow @aarp and our CEO @JoAnn_Jenkins on Twitter.