AARP Awards Community Grants to Kentucky Organizations

Communities across Kentucky are all working to become more livable for residents of all ages.

AARP is working across Kentucky in partnership with local leaders, organization, and dedicated residents to help make that vision a reality. As part of that effort, AARP is excited to announce the largest number of projects to-date through the Community Challenge program. These quick-action grants are being distributed to 244 organizations across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands - including five right here in Kentucky!

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

AARP Kentucky is exceptionally proud to have five 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 as local leaders seek to better their communities for the future, this is even more critical.

Here in Kentucky, these innovative and diverse projects were selected and funded from more than 3,500 organizations across the country:

• Dixon: Webster County Senior CenterGrant funds will be used to create an outdoor seating area with benches, tables and games. 

• Louisville: Louisville Metro Planning and Design ServicesThis project will help raise awareness about the city’s efforts to increase the availability of accessory dwelling units (or ADUS).

• Owensboro and Daviess Counties: Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & MuseumA state of the art, user-friendly audio guide will be purchased for the museum to increase accessibility and enhance the educational experience.

• Paducah: Paducah McCracken County Senior CenterFunds will be used to create a community garden with accessible walkways, ramps, and garden beds.

• Whitesburg: Appalshop Inc.A popular trail that serves as a transportation and exercise corridor for a rural town will be updated with resurfacing, a large crosswalk, signage, stencil art and benches. 

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.

Learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge both here in Kentucky as well as across the nation, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge.