AARP Awards Two Delaware Organizations with Community Grants as Part of its Successful Nationwide Program 

Wilmington, Delaware—Today, AARP Delaware announced two Delaware organizations will receive 2021 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date, with $3.2 million awarded among 244 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects to promote livable communities by improving housing, transportation, public spaces, civic engagement, and connection with family, friends, and neighbors, with an emphasis on the needs of the 50-plus. Many of this year’s awards support revitalizing communities adversely impacted by the pandemic and include a focus on diversity, inclusion, and disparities.

“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with these organizations as they work to make immediate improvements in their communities, encourage promising ideas, and jumpstart long-term change, especially for those age 50 and over,” shared AARP Delaware State Director, Lucretia Young. “Our goal at AARP Delaware is to support the efforts of our communities to be great places for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities.”

All projects are expected to be completed by November 10, 2021. Here in Delaware, projects funded include:

• Urban Bike Project of Wilmington will co-host 6 monthly Open Streets events in locations across the city. Streets will be closed to motor vehicle traffic, and the events will create safe spaces for residents of all ages to engage in outdoor recreation and connect with their communities.
  
• Wilmington Alliance will install “Art Racks,” sculptural bike-racks designed by local artists, which will enhance already-established community spaces, increase bike-ability of the area, and create works of public art.

The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. Since 2017, AARP Delaware has awarded nine Challenge Grants and $94,000 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at www.aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at www.aarp.org/livable.

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About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.​