Five SD Communities Receive 2023 Community Challenge Grants

AARP South Dakota is thrilled to announce that five organizations throughout the state have received 2023 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.6 million awarded among 310 organizations nationwide.

Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and older.

“AARP South Dakota is committed to working with local leaders to improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes,” said state director Erik Gaikowski. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements in their communities to jumpstart long-term change, especially for South Dakotans 50 and over.”  

Since 2017, AARP South Dakota has now awarded grants in 27 communities, investing more than $248,369 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

Funded projects in South Dakota for 2023 include:

• Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge – To increase tribal Elders' access to locally grown food, Maȟpíya Luta | Red Cloud Indian School’s Farmer’s Market will be held every week July-October. Lakota Elders and students will create a collaborative plan to plant, harvest, prepare, and preserve traditional foods. AARP’s funding will help provide equipment, support knowledge sharing, and fight food insecurity.
• Hyde County Parks and Recreation, Highmore – Plans are in the works to rebuild the swimming pool and improve the availability of an outdoor recreation opportunity that will be more accessible for all compared to the previous facility – with particular focus on making the space safe for older users, those with mobility issues, and disabilities. AARP’s funding will be used for a zero-slope entry and for benches.
• Clear Lake Area Development, Clear Lake – The Healthy Hometown Park Project will improve health and safety for youth and elderly at Clear Lake City Park. Through AARP’s funding, the project will include two accessible seating benches with shaded canopies and a chilled water drinking fountain.
• Lemmon Public Library, Lemmon – Local country dance traditions are important for connection and social inclusion in the community. AARP funding will provide a portable dance floor that patrons can check out from the library for events, ensuring all people (including older dancers) have a safe surface for dancing and sharing the tradition.
• Black Hills Retired School Personnel, Rapid City – A need for park benches was recognized, particularly at the farmer’s market and the city flower park. BHRSP Members jumped into action, securing AARP funding to support a collaboration between the City and area schools to construct and place benches.

AARP Community Challenge grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. True to the program’s quick-action nature, projects must be completed by November 30, 2023.

This year, the AARP Community Challenge accepted applications across three different grant opportunities, including existing flagship grants in addition to new capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability and community gardens. New demonstration grants will focus on improving transportation systems, with funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, and housing choice design competitions.

AARP is also bolstering its investment in rural communities, mobility innovation, transportation options, and health and food access.

“These grants continue to lead to long-term, positive changes in communities across the country,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “This year, we are proud to support the largest number of projects in the program’s seven-year history, which will improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes so everyone can thrive as they age.”

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, especially those age 50 and older.

View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.