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About the AARP Community Challenge

Established in 2017, this annual AARP Livable Communities program provides quick-action grants that help make communities more livable for people of all ages


AARP Community Challenge

The AARP Community Challenge grant program is part of the nationwide AARP Livable Communities initiative that helps communities make immediate improvements and jump-start long-term progress in support of residents of all ages.

Since its debut in 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has invested $24.3 million in 2,100 livability projects, with a focus on meeting the needs of adults age 50 or older, in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C.

  • In 2017, for the first-ever AARP Community Challenge, AARP received nearly 1,200 applications and distributed nearly $780,000 among 88 grant projects.
  • In 2018, the program received almost 1,600 applications and distributed $1.3 million to fund 129 grant projects.
  • In 2019, the program received nearly 1,700 applications and distributed nearly $1.6 million among 159 grant projects.
  • In 2020, the program received more than 2,800 applications and distributed $2.4 million among 184 grant projects.
  • In 2021, the program received 3,560 applications and nearly $3.2 million was distributed to 244 grant projects.
  • In 2022, the program received more than 3, 200 applications and $3.4 million was distributed to 260 grant projects.
  • In 2023, the program received more than 3,600 applications and $3.6 million was distributed to 310 grant projects.
  • In 2024, the program received more than 3,350 applications and $3.8 million was distributed to 343 grant projects.
  • In 2025, the program received 3,460 applications and $4.2 million was distributed to 383 grant projects.

Eligibility

1. Organization Type

  • The program is open to IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations — such as those with the designations 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) — as well as to local government entitites 
  • Grants will not be provided to individuals or for-profit companies

2. Mission Focus

  • AARP evaluates each project based on its consistency with the AARP mission to serve the needs of people 50-plus

3. Project Type

While project types and priorities can vary by year, AARP Community Challenge grants are typically used to support:

  • Permanent physical improvements in the community
  • Temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term change
  • New, innovative programming pilots or services

Projects not eligible for funding

  • Partisan, political or election-related activities
  • Planning activities and assessments and surveys of communities without tangible engagement
  • Studies with no follow-up action
  • Publication of books or reports
  • Acquisition of land and/or buildings
  • Purchase of a vehicle (such as a car or truck)
  • Sponsorships of other organizations’ events or activities
  • Research and development for a nonprofit endeavor
  • Research and development for a for-profit endeavor
  • The promotion of a for-profit entity and/or its products and services

More about the AARP Community Challenge

Page updated June 2025

More about the AARP Community Challenge

Page updated June 2025

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