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

Communities across Louisiana 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 Louisiana is incredibly proud to have two 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.

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

Shreveport Common, Inc. a historic blighted nine-block area located at the eastern edge of Shreveport’s HUD Choice neighborhood. The area is being transformed into a creative cultural community following a year-long creative placemaking vision planning process. The $25,000 grant will fund ADA compliant tables to complete the Art Bosque Food Truck Court with outdoor seating, giving neighbors and community a gathering place to connect with friends and embrace healthy living. Lighting, trash receptacles, and directional signage will also be installed.

Southern United Neighborhoods (SUN) is a 501c3 public charity founded in March 2010 by low to moderate-income people that uses research and training to combat poverty, discrimination and community deterioration that keeps low-income people from taking advantage of their rights and opportunities. The $5,000 grant will be used to improve the St. Roch community of New Orleans by replacing an underutilized area with space where people of all ages can engage with each other by caring for a green space. Residents will have access to fruit and nut trees.


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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.