AARP Hearing Center

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In 2025, the AARP Community Challenge accepted applications across three different grant opportunities.
- Applications were due by March 5, 2025, 5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT
- All projects must be completed by December 15, 2025
Learn more by using the Your Questions Answered tool
SCHEDULE
January 29, 2025: Optional "Question & Answer" webinar for potential applicants — Watch the Video
March 5, 2025: Application deadline: 5:00 p.m. ET | 2:00 p.m. PT
Mid-May 2025: Selected and non-selected applicants will be notified of their status via email
June 11, 2025: Deadline for selected applicants to complete and return the MOU (memorandum of understanding) and vendor forms to AARP
June 18, 2025: Public announcement of selected grantees and the date upon which the projects can begin — Check out the List!
December 15, 2025: Deadline for the project's completion
December 31, 2025: Deadline for submitting the After-Action Report
Grant Opportunities
Flagship Grants
Flagship AARP Community Challenge grants have ranged from several hundred dollars for smaller, short-term activities to tens of thousands of dollars for larger projects. Since 2017, AARP has funded projects with an average grant amount of $10,000 to $12,000. Nine out of 10 grants (or 92 percent) are for $20,000 or less.
In 2025, grants will not exceed $25,000. (AARP also reserves the right to award compelling projects of any dollar amount.)
We are accepting applications for projects that benefit residents — especially those age 50 and older — in the following categories:
Creating vibrant public places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities.
Delivering a range of transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability and access to public and private transit
Supporting a range of housing options that increases the availability of accessible and affordable choices
Increasing digital connections and enhancing digital literacy skills of residents
Supporting community resilience through investments that improve disaster management, preparedness and mitigation for residents
Capacity-Building Microgrants
Combining $2,500 grants with additional resources (such as webinars, cohort learning opportunities, up to 2 hours of one-on-one coaching with leading national nonprofit organizations and AARP publications), this grant opportunity will accept applications for projects that benefit residents — especially those age 50 and older — in the following categories:
NEW! Disaster Preparedness Training: Implement disaster preparedness training programs and resources for residents, especially those age 50-plus, with support from SBP and using the AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit.
Walk Audits: Implement walk audit assessments to enhance safety and walkability in communities, especially for people age 50-plus, with support from America Walks and using the AARP Walk Audit Tool Kit.
Bike Audits: Implement bike audits to enhance safety and bikeability in communities, especially for people age 50-plus, with support from The League of American Bicyclists and using the AARP Bike Audit Tool Kit.
HomeFit Guide Modifications: Implement education, simple home modifications and accessible safety solutions to create and maintain “lifelong homes,” especially for people age 50-plus, with support from the RL Mace Universal Design Institute and using the AARP HomeFit Guide.
Demonstration Grants
This opportunity funds projects that encourage the replication of promising local efforts. Grants tend to fall between $10,000 and $20,000 and will not exceed $25,000.
The demonstration grant opportunity will accept applications for projects that benefit residents, especially those age 50 and older, in the following categories:
NEW! Enhancing pedestrian safety by creating safer streets and sidewalks, with a focus on people age 50-plus, with funding support from Toyota Motor North America.
NEW! Expanding high-speed internet (broadband) access and adoption, with a focus on people age 50-plus, with funding support from Microsoft.
Reconnecting communities divided by infrastructure, with a focus on people age 50-plus, as highlighted in the award-winning AARP Livable Communities article series Before the Highway.
Implementing housing design competitions that increase community understanding and encourage policies that enable greater choice in housing, with a focus on people age 50-plus, by using the AARP Housing Design Competition Tool Kit.
See Attachment C for examples from previous AARP Community Challenge funded projects.
Eligible organizations may apply for more than one grant opportunity and may submit multiple applications.
Eligibility
Each project must satisfy the guidelines as described in the Grant Opportunity section above and the following Organization Type, Mission Focus and Project Type criteria to be eligible:
Organization Type: The program is open to the following types of organizations:
501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6). Nonprofit organizations must be recognized by the IRS to receive funds.
Government entities
Other types of organizations considered on a case-by-case basis
Funds will not be provided to any for-profit company, nor individuals. However, AARP does allow for IRS recognized tax-exempt nonprofit organizations or government entities to serve as fiscal sponsors of grants.
Mission Focus: AARP will evaluate each project based on its consistency with the AARP mission to serve the needs of people age 50-plus. The project types described below will be prioritized over those that support ongoing programming or events.
Permanent physical improvements in the community
Temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term change
New, innovative programming pilots or services
Projects that are 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 or mechanical equipment (such as a car, truck, bus, snow mobile, snow grooming machine or tractor)
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