Make Your Community Livable for People of All Ages with an AARP Community Challenge Grant

• Deadline to apply extended to July 15
• No idea too big or too small
• Part of AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities initiative

AARP is providing Connecticut residents with an opportunity to enhance their community and boost the quality of life for people of all ages with the AARP Community Challenge grant program.

Want to make a playground intergenerational? Upgrade a public space? Host a street festival? The AARP Community Challenge will fund select projects to help build momentum in communities nationwide. No idea is too big and no plan is too small. Projects can range from short-term activities costing a few hundred dollars to sizable efforts that might need thousands.

All applications must be registered at www.aarp.org/CommunityChallenge by the new deadline of Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

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.

The Community Challenge is part of the national AARP Network of Age Friendly Communities initiative. This ever-growing network – more than 170 enrolled communities across over three-dozen states, including Greenwich and Newtown in Connecticut ( the member list) – encourages states, cities, towns and counties to prepare for the rapid aging of the U.S. population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults.

The program is open to 501(C) (3) and 501(C) (4) non-profits and government entities. Projects need to deliver on one or all of the following drivers for change ( Find project examples for each category here):
• Improve a community's built environment to benefit people of all ages and ability levels and connect to the social environment.
• Expand opportunities for all residents, such as through jobs, volunteerism, educational opportunities and training.
• Drive community engagement and interaction across diverse community residents via, for instance, efforts in the domains of culture and art, local communications, public spaces and placemaking, sports, education, well-being, healthy living, etc.

Who Can Apply
Eligible for funding
• 501(C)(3) and 501(C)(4) nonprofits
• Government entities

Not Eligible
• Partisan, political or election-related activities
• Studies with no follow-up action
• Publication of books or reports
• The acquisition of land and/or buildings
• Research and development for a for-profit endeavor
• Sponsorships of other organizations' events
• Planning and related support
• The promotion of a for-profit entity and/or its products and services
• Communities or projects beyond the United States and its territories