The AARP Community Challenge Grant Program is an initiative under AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities effort, designed to support projects that make communities more livable for residents of all ages, especially those aged 50 and older.
Since its inception in 2017, the program has awarded over $20.1 million through more than 1,700 grants across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, the Grant amount is Up to US $25,000.
2025 Grant Cycle Overview
The 2025 application period opened on January 8, 2025, and will close on March 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations, as well as government entities.
Other types of organizations may be considered on a case-by-case basis. All projects funded through this cycle must be completed by December 15, 2025.
| January 8: Application opens |
| January 29: Â Public Q&A Webinar at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT |
| March 5: Applications due by 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT |
| May:Â All applicants will be notified of their status by email |
| June 25: Public announcement of the selected grantees — and work on projects begins! |
| December 15:Â All projects must be completed |
| December 31:Â Deadline for after-action reports |
AARP Community Challenge Grant Program Opportunities 2025
For 2025, the AARP Community Challenge is offering three distinct grant opportunities:
Flagship Grants
These grants support projects that improve public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and community resilience.
Grants have ranged from several hundred dollars for smaller, short-term activities to tens of thousands of dollars for larger projects, with an average grant amount of $10,000 to $12,000. Grants will not exceed $25,000.
Capacity-Building Microgrants
These $2,500 grants are combined with additional resources, such as webinars, cohort learning opportunities, and up to two hours of one-on-one coaching from leading national nonprofit organizations.
This grant opportunity will accept applications for projects that support disaster preparedness training, walk audits, bike audits, and HomeFit® guide modifications.
Demonstration Grants
These grants fund demonstration projects that encourage replication of promising local efforts. Grants tend to fall between $10,000 and $20,000 and will not exceed $25,000.
This grant opportunity will accept applications for projects that enhance pedestrian safety (with funding support from Toyota Motor North America), expand high-speed internet access and adoption (with funding support from Microsoft), reconnect communities divided by infrastructure, and implement housing design competitions.
Application Process
Interested organizations can submit their applications through the AARP Community Challenge application portal.
All applicants will be notified of their status by May 2025, with public announcements of selected grantees and the commencement of project work beginning on June 25, 2025.
Impact and Goals
The AARP Community Challenge aims to fund quick-action projects that can lead to long-term improvements in communities.
Since 2017, grantees have installed nearly 40,000 tangible improvements and created more than 6,000 resources, activities, or programs, including bike/mobility lanes, crosswalks, garden beds, benches, accessible home modifications, transportation access, and safety trainings.
By providing these grants, AARP seeks to empower communities to become more livable, ensuring that residents of all ages can thrive.
CHECK THESE OUT:
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