Livable Communities

The 2022 AARP Community Challenge grant has funded four projects in Washington this year, each aimed at making their communities more livable.

AARP Washington announced four organizations throughout the state will receive 2022 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.4 million awarded among 260 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long-term by improving public places; transportation; housing; diversity, equity, and inclusion; digital access; and civic engagement, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and over.

Applications are currently being accepted through March 22, 2022, 5:00 p.m. ET.

AARP Community Challenge grants awarded in three Washington areas this year are funding improved access to high-speed internet, a "story trail" to help children boost physical activity while improving their reading skills, and dozens of small urban gardens.

Communities across Washington are all working to become more livable for residents of all ages.

The grant will be used to build community food gardens

The City of College Place has been named a recipient of a 2021 AARP Community Challenge grant, one of three grantees selected in Washington State.

The Friends of the Snohomish Library has been named a recipient of a 2021 AARP Community Challenge grant, one of three grantees selected in Washington State.

We know that it takes time to build great communities. But, we also believe that tangible improvements can spark long-term change. The AARP Community Challenge launched in 2017 to fund projects that build momentum to improve livability for all. We are excited to announce the program is back in 2021 for its fifth year and is currently accepting applications online through April 14, 5:00 p.m. PT.

While 2020 was a year filled with uncertainty, municipalities and community organizations across Washington still managed to put older residents’ needs front and center. We welcomed two cities - Tacoma and Renton - to the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, joining our previous cities of Seattle and Puyallup. Several non-profit agencies also received grants to address crucial pandemic-related issues, such as food insecurity and telehealth.