AARP awards community grants to four Indiana organizations as part of record-breaking year for nationwide program 

Communities across Indiana are working each and every day to become more livable for residents of all ages.

In support of that work, AARP is excited to announce the largest number of grantees and funds to-date through the Community Challenge grant program. These “quick action” grants are being distributed to 184 organizations across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as transportation, public spaces, housing, smart cities, civic engagement, coronavirus response and more.

AARP Indiana is incredibly proud to have four grantees right here in our state. Our goal is to support their efforts to create great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities and the coronavirus pandemic has only underscored the importance of this work.

“We’re proud to see so many projects in our communities receive funding,” AARP Indiana State Director Sarah Waddle said. “These efforts will improve the lives of people 50 and older by doing everything from narrowing the digital divide to enhancing the built environment.”

Here in Indiana, these exciting and diverse projects were funded:

• Edna Martin Christian Center’s (Indianapolis) efforts to build an urban garden, improving food access and both recreational and job opportunities for seniors
  
• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana’s (Indianapolis, North Vernon, and Columbus) efforts to provide seniors with carts for easier food transport during their “Senior Shopping Days” program
  
• Legacy Foundation’s (Gary) efforts to improve connectivity and safe biking by adding bike lanes and other improvements within the community
  
• Sustainable Muncie Corporation’s project to add public internet access inside and outside of a well-connected community center

The Community Challenge is 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 residents. We believe that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge both here in Indiana as well as across the nation, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all of the Community Challenge projects and AARP Indiana’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.