AARP Grants Available for Community Improvement Projects

Community groups can now apply for funds to improve their neighborhoods through the AARP Livable Communities Community Challenge grant program. The program, now in its ninth year, funds projects to improve livability. Applications are being taken online through March 5.

The AARP Community Challenge’s focus on tangible change, community engagement and its quick-action timeline helps selected grantees fast-track ideas and replicate promising practices. Previous projects have demonstrated an ability to garner additional funds or support from public and private funders, encourage innovation, overcome local policy barriers and receive greater overall awareness and engagement.

The grant program is open to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) nonprofits and government entities. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to several thousand for larger projects. In 2025, the AARP Community Challenge program is accepting applications across three different grant opportunities designed to help communities become more livable for all residents, especially those age 50 and over. 

Ø Flagship Grants

This is AARP’s traditional, 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. Since 2017, AARP has funded projects with an average grant amount of $10,000-12,000 and 92% of grants being $20,000 or less. Grants will not exceed $25,000. These grants will support projects that improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and community resilience.

Ø 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 coaching from leading national nonprofit 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.

Ø Demonstration Grants

This opportunity funds demonstration projects that encourage replication of promising local efforts. Grants tend to fall between $10,000-$20,000 and will not exceed $25,000. This grant opportunity will accept applications for projects that enhance pedestrian safety with funding support from Toyota Motor North America; expand high-speed internet (broadband) access and adoption with funding support from Microsoft; reconnect communities divided by infrastructure; and implement housing design competitions.

“We are thrilled to open the AARP Community Challenge grant program once again and we encourage all eligible organizations to apply,” said Keali`i Lopez, AARP Hawai`i State President. “If your group has an idea to make your community safer for pedestrians, to improve broadband access for kupuna, be better prepared for disasters, beautify parks or bus stops or other eligible project, you should know that money is available to make those plans real.”

Since 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has funded over 1,700 projects nationwide, including 27 right here in Hawai`i. Last year’s grants included $20,000 to Hui `O Hau`ula for disaster training and internet connectivity including a Starlink Satellite Service center for emergency wifi and $11,970 to the Peace Committee of Honoka`a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple for kitchen equipment and improvements to a food pantry that distributes more than 400 hot meals weekly and bags of groceries to about 200 families a week, including kupuna.

The AARP Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places to live for people of all ages. We believe that communities should provide residents of all ages, (especially people 50 and older) with safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities to participate in community life.

The application deadline for the 2025 grant cycle is March 5, 2025 at noon Hawai`i time. All projects must be completed by December 15, 2025.

To submit an application and learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge both here in Hawai`i, as well as across the nation, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge.