AARP Awards Grants to Strengthen Eight Communities Across Oregon

Portland, OR—AARP today announced eight organizations throughout Oregon will receive 2025 Community Challenge grants totaling $88,344. The grants are part of AARP’s $4.2 million commitment to fund 383 quick-action projects aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older adults. The funds will support efforts to improve public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and other key areas.

Now in its ninth year, the grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages, with an emphasis on people ages 50 and older. Since 2017, AARP Oregon has awarded 43 grants and $517,862 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

“AARP Oregon is proud to work with communities across the state to help make them more livable for people of all ages,” said AARP Oregon State Director Bandana Shrestha. “These projects are about turning great local ideas into real improvements that make everyday life better, especially for older Oregonians.”

Here in Oregon projects funded include:

• Bonanza Big Springs Park & Recreation District | Bonanza, Oregon ($15,000): Transforming a playground into an ADA accessible space with level surfaces, shade structures, and benches.
• South Morrow County Senior Matters | Heppner, Oregon ($15,000): Enhancing emergency preparedness for older adults with training, 3-day emergency kits, and NOAA radios.
• Friendly House Inc. | Portland, Oregon ($12,780): Providing new computers, laptops, and IT support to help older adults access technology and reduce isolation.
• City of Powers | Powers, Oregon ($15,000): Remodeling City Hall’s lobby to be fully ADA-compliant with automatic doors, wheelchair access, and an accessible service counter.
• McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity | McMinnville, Amity, Carlton, Lafayette, Sheridan, Willamina, Yamhill, Oregon ($12,000): Offering home repairs, maintenance, and accessibility modifications for low-income older adults.
• Mennonite Village | Albany, Oregon ($9,186): Installing radar speed signs to reduce speeding and improve pedestrian safety for older adults.
• Community Partners for Affordable Housing | Portland, Oregon ($6,878): Upgrading computer hardware and installing Wi-Fi at affordable housing properties for residents aged 55-plus.
• Ruth's Eye of the Storm | Brookings, Oregon ($2,500): Conducting educational trainings to make homes safer for domestic violence survivors.
  

Some pedestrian safety initiatives will be funded with support from Toyota Motor North America and projects that expand high-speed internet access and adoption will be funded with support from Microsoft. 

“AARP Community Challenge projects may be quick to launch, but their impact is long-lasting,” said Nancy A. LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “We’re proud to support communities nationwide to advance solutions that make neighborhoods and towns of all sizes better places to live where everyone can thrive. And this year, we’re particularly proud to invest in projects benefitting often overlooked rural areas.”

View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge. Learn more about AARP’s work to support livable communities at aarp.org/livable.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Stacy Larsen, Communications Director
slarsen@aarp.org | 503.260.5862