2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee Announcement!

AARP announced nine organizations throughout Indiana will receive a 2025 Community Challenge grant!

About the AARP Community Challenge

The AARP Community Challenge grant program supports projects in areas such as public places, housing, transportation, digital connectivity, community resilience, and more. In 2025, Toyota Motor North America is providing funding for pedestrian safety projects that aim to improve streets and sidewalks nationwide. Microsoft is also contributing funding for digital connections projects aimed at expanding high-speed internet (broadband) access and adoption.

This is all part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life.

To learn more about the projects being funded by the AARP Community Challenge across the nation, including all 383 granted projects this year, visit AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of current and past AARP Community Challenge projects and AARP’s Livable Communities work at AARP.org/Livable.

2025 AARP Indiana Community Challenge Grantees

Chatham Arch Neighborhood Association, Indianapolis ($7,500)
Indianapolis will enhance pedestrian safety at 10th Street intersections with Park Avenue and Broadway in Chatham Arch. Older residents will help paint murals and install flex posts, creating safer crossings, increased visibility, and fostering community connection.

Community Heights Neighborhood Organization, Indianapolis ($2,500)
This project will conduct four walk audits at nine busy intersections to identify sidewalk and crosswalk improvement needs. Following the walk audits, a community meeting will bring together participants, residents, business owners, and the City of Indianapolis to review findings and explore future planning.

Community One, Evansville ($2,500)
Community One’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program will install handrails or grab bars at 30 residences for people 50-plus to support safe and affordable independent living and comfortable aging in place.

Evansville Parks and Recreation ($22,950)
Evansville will add three solar-powered lights to the section of the Greenway Passage north of Lamasco Park, enhancing pedestrian safety. This project aims to provide safer evening access for residents, especially older adults, by adding lighting to the trail between Columbia and Maryland streets. Some pedestrian safety initiatives, like this one, will be funded with support from Toyota Motor North America.

Jacobsville Area Community Corporation, Evansville ($2,500)
A walk audit will be done to assess 63 blocks, 72 intersections, and trails in the northern Jacobsville neighborhood to ensure safe, accessible routes for older adults. With 30 volunteers, the project will identify sidewalk issues to help the Evansville City Engineer prioritize repairs to better connect older adults to parks, services, and the community.

John Boner Neighborhood Centers, Indianapolis ($2,500)
The John Boner Neighborhood Centers (JBNC) will host five preparedness trainings at different locations, focusing on safety and disaster preparedness. The training is available to all adults in JBNC housing, and up to 100 attendees 50-plus will receive tailored safety kits, including first aid supplies and other safety items.

Kendallville Mayor's Youth Advisory Council ($7,600)
This project will improve pedestrian safety at three busy intersections in downtown Kendallville by installing 12 artistic crosswalks and "Yield to Pedestrian" signs. The initiative aims to slow traffic and enhance visibility, benefiting children and older adults in the community.

City of Gary ($17,500)
The City of Gary will enhance accessibility near the Gary Housing Authority Glen Park Senior High Rise by installing a bus shelter, speed bumps, solar-powered crosswalks, striped crosswalks, and a bike lane. These improvements will connect these apartments to Gleason Park and the Little Calumet Levee Trail, benefiting older residents.

The Owen News, Spencer ($15,000)
A digital application called OwenDirect will be created to provide a community resource directory, event calendar, and emergency notification system. It will offer information about government, schools, businesses, and nonprofit services, along with local advertising, to enhance community engagement and access to essential resources.

“AARP Indiana is proud to work with communities across the state to help make them more livable for people of all ages,” said AARP Indiana State Director, Sarah Waddle. “These projects use local ideas to jumpstart changes to make everyday life better for older Hoosiers.”