Livable Communities

Communities in South Dakota, Wyoming and Oklahoma are making improvements — including an outdoor classroom, new technology for veterans and home modifications for Native American elders — thanks to 2025 AARP Community Challenge grants.

Seven Oklahoma groups received 2024 AARP Community Challenge grants, totaling $66,550, for projects that make neighborhoods more livable for all residents.

Grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long term by improving public spaces, transportation, housing, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion and more.

AARP Oklahoma has announced three local organizations will receive 2021 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of national grantees to date with $3.2 million awarded among 244 organizations. Grantees will implement quick-action projects to promote livable communities by improving housing, transportation, public spaces, civic engagement, and connection with family, friends, and neighbors, emphasizing the needs of the 50-plus population.

AARP Oklahoma presented a $5,000 honorary check to the McAlester City Council during its September 24 meeting, celebrating the community’s AARP Community Challenge grant recognition.

The City Council of Elk City and Elk City community officials are one step closer to a revitalized community garden through the AARP Community Grant Challenge. Community officials were presented with a $2,919 honorary check from AARP Oklahoma during the September 18 City Council meeting.

Gathering Place has gone to the dogs! AARP Oklahoma is the proud sponsor of Dog Play Wednesdays at the Gathering Place in Tulsa and the Gathering Place app.

AARP Oklahoma presented a $5,000 honorary grant check this week to Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service to support OSU’s rural broadband outreach program.

Cities of McAlester and Elk City and the Delaware Nation awarded grants to transform outdoor spaces

The City of Tulsa is one of six cities that are part of a new program that AARP and Cities of Service just launched called Experience Matters. Through this program, the City of Tulsa is recruiting for two AmeriCorps VISTA positions to engage adults age 50+ to develop volunteering initiatives that address public problems related to the drivers of poverty.