AARP Vermont Awards $10,000 in Community Action Grants Statewide

AARP Vermont has selected seven small organizations with big plans to receive Community Action Grants in support of their efforts to make their communities more livable as they respond to the many impacts of COVID-19. This year’s awards totaling some $10,000 are focused on a wide range of projects to enhance the community and promote livability. The initiative is part of an AARP Vermont program aimed at preparing Vermont cities and towns for the rapidly aging demographic shift that recognize the assets and opportunities in the areas of housing, mobility and community engagement.

(See grantees list below)

“This pandemic has heightened the importance of social networks and community support and services as key ingredients for community resilience,” said Kelly Stoddard-Poor, AARP Vermont outreach director.  “This program is a way to encourage and support grassroots action to make Vermont communities more livable. AARP Vermont is thrilled to have expanded these Community Action Grants to communities across the state providing modest funding and technical support to community groups or individuals.”

The grant program is open to organizations and grassroots ad hoc groups and that are organized to make improvements in their neighborhood or the community and that meet all eligibility requirements. The winning proposals were projects that incorporated one or more of the following:

- Respond to food insecurity

- Respond to the impacts of social isolation with socialization and the fostering of intergenerational community connections

- Respond to increased need for technology and virtual meet-ups

- Respond to affordable and accessible housing options

- Respond to increased need for improved mobility, such as pedestrian, bike and bus infrastructure

- Increase access for civic engagement

- Increase community accessibility for disabled residents

- Support the delivery of services to help older residents age in the setting of their choice

“Community support is more important now than ever,” said Stoddard-Poor. “We hope these grants will inspire and support grassroots groups that have a vision for their neighborhood or community and how it can be improved to the meet the needs of all residents.”

AARP Vermont is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization with 120,000 members in Vermont and 40 million members nationally. Through a wide array of special benefits, services, and information resources, we help our members make important choices, reach their goals and dreams, and make the most of life after 50.

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The community projects selected this year are listed below: