2025 Grantee Spotlight: Collaboratory

In Southwest Florida, one organization has a an ambitious task of uniting residents, leaders, and thought partners to tackle the region’s toughest social issues — and it's a winner of AARP's Community Challenge grant!

Collaboratory, founded in 1976, has already donated over $132 million to the Southwest FL community through grants and donors, and they show no signs of stopping. Two years ago, they developed an ambitious goal: by 2040, Collaboratory will assist with solving the area's worst social problems like like education, health & wellness, and workforce management to create a sustainable, thriving future for all. They will do so by developing five coalition groups, each dedicated to tackling a specific issue affecting the community.

AARP's Community Challenge grant will support the organization's Home Coalition, which tackles tough topics like affordable housing, transportation, and more.

"Our coalition's goal is that 80% of people in Southwest Florida will be able to pay 45% or less of their income on housing and transportation by 2040," explains Jessica Turner, Partnership Manager of the Home Coalition. "We are working to try and make systemic changes that will make it easier for people to either buy houses or afford their rent."

Turner and the Home Coalition will be using AARP's funds to pilot a senior home sharing program in the Ft. Myers area.

"Insurance, property taxes, and inflation are three major issues for our senior population," expresses Turner. "We're hoping to pair seniors over 55 who are having trouble paying their mortgage with others who need an affordable place to stay. In this way, we're trying to tackle two topics at once: decreasing the cost burden for senior citizens, and cutting the rate of their homelessness."

Turner has been part of the Home Coalition for nearly three years, and AARP's Community Challenge grant was the first award she won on her own.

"My background is actually in education," she explains. "Through my time with the Home Coalition, I've learned a lot about affordable housing. I'm passionate about making sure that people can afford their rents with enough money in their budgets for preventative health care, education for themselves or for their children, and fresh food."

AARP Florida will be following up with Collaboratory in a few months to see how their efforts are progressing! Stay tuned for more, and visit AARP.org/FLLivable for more information on the Community Challenge Grant program.