2025 AARP Community Challenge: The Capacity-Building Microgrant Grantees

104 project grants that support mobility options, disaster preparedness and home-modification efforts

Meet the 2025 AARP Community Challenge Capacity-Building Microgrant Grantees

Combining $2,500 grants with additional resources (such as webinars, cohort learning opportunities, AARP publications, and up to two hours of direct coaching with leading national nonprofit organizations), this grant opportunity accepted applications for projects that benefit residents — especially those age 50 and older — in the following categories:

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 by using the AARP Bike Audit 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 by using the AARP Walk Audit Tool Kit.

Disaster Preparedness Training: Implement disaster preparedness training programs and resources for residents, especially those age 50-plus, with support from SBP and by using the AARP Disaster Resilience 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 by using the AARP HomeFit Guide.

^{The following project descriptions were created using generative AI and were then reviewed by AARP staff. The grantee name appears in italics.}

Grants Supporting Bike Audits

Arkansas

North Little Rock: Women's Own Worth — This project will conduct at least four bike audits in North Little Rock. Older volunteers from local biking groups will be recruited for the audits.

California

Imperial Beach: Imperial Beach Arts Bureau — This project will conduct four bike audits along the Bayshore Bikeway trail and major avenues, and hold four community meetings in English and Spanish.

San Diego: Bike San Diego — The project will conduct a bike and walk audit along Fairmount Avenue to identify safety improvements. The focus will be on older adults, aiming to create a safer, more accessible corridor.

Illinois

Brookfield: Cycle Brookfield — This project will conduct three bike audits of essential north-south routes across Brookfield to build a low-stress and safe bicycle network. The group will present their findings to the Village for implementation.

Maryland

Baltimore: Mount Clare Community Council Inc. — This project will audit streets in and around Mount Clare frequented by active mobility users. Residents will be canvassed about their mobility needs to identify areas needing better cycling facilities.

Massachusetts

Newburyport: Newburyport Livable Streets — This project will conduct bike audits on Low Street and High Street. Findings will be presented to the City's Traffic Safety Committee, in a public meeting, a written report, and on a website.

New Jersey

Stockton: Delaware River Greenway Partnership — This project will conduct a bike audit along a 12-mile stretch of a Scenic Byway heavily used by cyclists. Audit results will be shared with municipalities, land managers, and the general public.

North Carolina

Cherokee: Cherokee Historical Association — This project will conduct a bikeability assessment to improve safety and connectivity in the cultural district. The goal is to ensure safe routes for older adults and complement other projects in the area.

Hickory: BikeWalk NC — This project will feature a bike audit workshop held during BikeWalk NC's 2025 Transportation Summit. Attendees will learn to identify safety improvements and routes for bicycling and other wheeled devices.

Wake Forest: Town of Wake Forest — The project will conduct five bike audits over five months. Older volunteers will assist and present findings to the Town. Results will be included in the Age-Friendly Action Plan.

Ohio

Kettering: Cycle Kettering Chapter of Bike Miami Valley — The project will conduct four bike audits, focusing on access for people age 50 or over to key destinations. Two community meetings will discuss the results with residents and city officials to guide future planning.

South Dakota

Canton: Canton Chamber of Commerce — The project will conduct two bike audits, one in the city center to maximize safety and the other in the town's periphery to increase bike accessibility to the core.

Texas

Taylor: Good Life Taylor — This project will conduct three bike audits with volunteers from Ride Taylor and senior fitness classes. The focus is on accessibility issues along the hike and bike trail and key destinations.

Vermont

Rutland: Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports — The project will conduct bike audits throughout Vermont. Older volunteers will assess the safety, accessibility, and usability of bike paths. At least three audits will be conducted.

Grants Supporting Walk Audits

California

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Walks — This project will lead walk audits in South LA neighborhoods to engage adults age 50 or over in exploring public spaces and identifying access barriers.

Colorado

Denver: Denver Regional Mobility & Access Council — The project will conduct walk audits to assess and improve bus stop accessibility for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

District of Columbia

Washington: Columbia Heights Village Tenants Association — This project will launch a community walkability and safety initiative to assess and improve pedestrian infrastructure. It aims to enhance mobility by identifying needed sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.

Indiana

Evansville: Jacobsville Area Community Corporation — This project will involve a walk audit covering 63 blocks, 72 intersections and several trails to ensure safe, accessible routes for older adults. With 30 volunteers, the project will identify sidewalk issues to help prioritize repairs.

Indianapolis: Community Heights Neighborhood Organization — This project will conduct four walk audits at nine intersections to identify sidewalk and crosswalk improvement needs. Older volunteers from senior housing will participate.

Maine

Dover Foxcroft: Central Hall Commons — This project will conduct five walk audits to identify locations for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements. Two community meetings will be held to discuss the audit results with residents and business owners.

Massachusetts

Roslindale: WalkUP Roslindale — This project aims to enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility in Roslindale Square through three walk audits and two community meetings. It will focus on sidewalk, crosswalk, and signage improvements.

Montana

Choteau: Teton County Montana State University Extension — This project will hold three community meetings with residents and City leaders to improve walkability. Two walk audits will be planned with older adults to connect safe sidewalks between key locations.

New Jersey

Montclair: Judy Weston Garden — This project will conduct walk audits near Judy Weston Garden and Edgemont Park Senior Center. Volunteers will survey sidewalks, intersections, and paths to identify ways to increase safe usage.

New York

Albany: Capital Streets — This project will conduct walk audits near senior housing facilities and apartments on Central Avenue. The audits will be conducted in collaboration with the City of Albany.

Jackson Heights: Selfhelp Community Services — The project will conduct five walk audits on a NYC Open Street to identify locations for road repair, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, and better signage. Older community volunteers will participate.

New York City: AXS Lab — This project will map the walkability and accessibility of three New York City neighborhoods. The data will be shared with city officials, the community, and local businesses to discuss improvements.

North Carolina

Greensboro: City of Greensboro — This project will partner with neighborhood organizations to conduct two meetings and two walk audits. The project will gather testimony to produce a community walk report for future street and sidewalk plans.

Wake Forest: Town of Wake Forest — This project will conduct five walk audits over five months. Older volunteers will assist and present findings to the Town. Results will be included in the Age-Friendly Action Plan.

Ohio

Akron: Habitat for Humanity of Summit County — This project will conduct at least 15 walk audits with a minimum of 15 volunteers, focusing on people age 50 or over. The audits aim to identify areas needing sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.

Athens (and surrounding villages): United Seniors of Athens County — This project will feature walk audits in six communities and on two paths and one trail. Community forums will celebrate completion and evaluate results, which will be shared with government officials.

Oklahoma

Muskogee: Sheena's Helping Hands — The project will conduct three walk audits to document issues faced by walkers, wheelchair users, and people using canes. Two community meetings will discuss audit results to inform future planning.

Sapulpa: Beverlys Home of Second Chances LLC — The project will conduct five walk audits in a commercial district to identify priority locations for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements. Older volunteers will be trained to assess pedestrian safety issues.

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia: Fishtown Neighbors Association — The project will conduct a walk audit of Girard Avenue to identify safety and accessibility barriers for residents age 50 or over. Volunteers of all ages, including older adults, will participate.

Rhode Island

Providence: Age-Friendly PVD — The project will conduct four walk audits to identify pedestrian safety challenges. Findings will be presented at community meetings and forwarded to the Department of Planning and Development.

South Carolina

Greenville: LiveWell Greenville — This project will conduct walk audits in Berea, an area with the highest pedestrian fatality rate in the state. Volunteers from nearby senior living residences will be trained and recruited.

South Dakota

Canton: Canton Trails Commmittee — The project will conduct two walk audits, one at downtown intersections to address issues for disabled and older residents, and another in under-documented peripheral areas.

Tennessee

Memphis: The Works Inc. — The project will feature three walk audits from community locations to Renaissance Pocket Park. It will involve a senior walking group, a senior center, volunteers, local government and law enforcement.

Stanton: United Way of West Tennessee — The project will feature at least two walk audits from the Ford Community Center to the Town Hall and local businesses. With a new automotive manufacturing complex, the town is preparing for rapid growth.

Texas

Houston: Fit Houston — This project will feature four walk audits to assess sidewalks, safer streets, and potential trail expansion along Keegan's Bayou. Translated materials and community meetings will amplify older adults' voices.

West Virginia

Huntington: Facing Hunger Foodbank — This project will feature six walk audits, recruiting older volunteers, along with an off-duty police officer. It will host two community meetings with participants, business owners and the city to discuss results.

Wisconsin

Milwaukee: Congress for the New Urbanism Wisconsin — Residents will conduct 4-6 transit-oriented walk audits in three neighborhoods with congregate housing for older adults. Activities include the audit, bus training, civic engagement coaching, and follow-up.

Milwaukee: Humboldt Park Friends — This project will conduct six walk audits near Humboldt Park. It will engage 20 older volunteers and present findings to residents, as well as local officials, to discuss incorporating results into municipal planning.

Milwaukee: Jackson Park Community Association Inc. — This project will conduct four walk audits on streets leading to Jackson Park. Volunteers will audit, assess, and propose solutions with city and county officials.

Grants Supporting Disaster Preparedness Training

Alabama

Mobile: Mobile County Health Department — This project will feature three educational events. Participants will learn disaster pre-planning, receive checklists in English and Spanish, and get essential preparedness supplies.

Arizona

Tucson: Pima Council on Aging — The project will conduct two in-person trainings for older adults, focusing on heat resilience in Arizona's extreme temperatures. Training includes recognizing heat stress and distributing heat resilience kits.

California

Redding: Shiningcare Inc. — This project will feature four free Disaster Preparedness Symposiums. Older adults and family caregivers will receive risk assessment tools, preparedness information, checklists, and other resources.

Colorado

Denver: The Center on Colfax — This project will feature three educational events for older LGBTQ+ adults and allies. Participants will review disaster planning, receive a fireproof box, develop a Disaster Plan, and discuss useful technology.

Delaware

Bethany Beach: Bethany Beach Landowners Association — This project will feature an event with town and HOA leaders to discuss disaster preparedness plans. Action plans and checklists will be developed for broader community trainings and distribution.

District of Columbia

Washington: Faith Mobile Market — This project will feature five disaster relief trainings for older adults. Participants will learn first aid and disaster pre-planning, receive disaster checklists, and get first aid and preparedness supplies.

Florida

Perry: Taylor County Emergency Management — This project will recruit and train volunteers to become certified CERT members. Training sessions will cover basic first aid, fire safety, and disaster medical operations.

Georgia

Box Springs: Crown of Life Foundation — This project will feature three disaster preparedness workshops for residents age 50 or over. The workshops will provide preparedness kits, training, and resources.

Illinois

Skokie: Orchard Village — This project will provide disaster preparedness training to staff at agencies supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Indiana

Indianapolis: John Boner Neighborhood Centers — This project will feature five preparedness trainings, focusing on safety and disaster preparedness. Up to 100 attendees age 50 or over will receive tailored safety kits.

LEARN MORE

2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantees

AARP.org/CommunityChallenge

^{Page published June 18, 2025}

Iowa

Manning: City of Manning —This project will create a disaster response kit for the community, enabling volunteers to assist safely and effectively. Community-wide trainings will help individuals prepare with checklists and personal kits.

Kentucky

Bowling Green: Community Action of Southern Kentucky — This project will provide disaster preparedness training for low-income residents age 55-plus. Attendees will learn about tornadoes, floods, and fires, and receive emergency preparedness supplies.

Shelbyville: Marnel C. Moorman Family Life Center — This project offers disaster preparedness training for adults age 50-plus. Participants will learn evacuation planning, first aid, and digital alerts through hands-on workshops.

Louisiana

New Orleans: VIET — This project will conduct two disaster preparedness trainings to raise awareness and prepare for future emergencies. Participants will receive emergency kits and be encouraged to share information with others.

Maine

Arrowsic, Bath, Georgetown, Phippsburg, West Bath, Woolwich: Age Friendly Communities of the Lower Kennebec — This project will conduct six listening sessions to understand disaster preparedness needs. Older adults from six communities will share disaster stories, evaluate a sample preparedness kit, and receive training.

Maryland

Westminster: Caring Carroll — This project will conduct disaster preparedness training for volunteers. Volunteers will visit residents age 50-plus to distribute disaster preparedness kits and provide information.

Massachusetts

Pittsfield: City of Pittsfield Senior Center — This project will offer interactive workshops, personalized emergency planning, and emergency supply kits to help older adults prepare for severe weather and power outages.

Minnesota

Minneapolis: Progressive Pathways — This project will conduct six sessions to prepare for summer storms and flooding. Informational magnets, checklists, and supplies will be distributed. Somali interpretation will be provided.

New Jersey

Denville: Denville Public Library — This project will offer in-person and virtual disaster pre-planning training sessions. Participants will receive emergency supply checklists and 72-hour survival backpack kits.

New York

Ithaca: Love Living at Home — The project will conduct six disaster preparedness trainings for people age 50 or over. Four will be in-person at community centers and fire departments, while two will be offered virtually.

Stamford: Western Catskills Community Revitalization Council Inc. — This project will offer three in-person and two online workshops for people age 50 or over. The sessions will provide information, checklists, and small disaster kits.

North Carolina

Brevard: City of Brevard — The project will conduct four in-person trainings on disaster planning a year after Hurricane Helene. Disaster checklists and supplies will be provided, along with a video on survivor guilt and trauma.

Ohio

Elyria: Neighborhood Alliance — This project will provide disaster preparedness kits and training to vulnerable populations. It will transport 20-25 older adults per session to these locations, equipping them with training and supplies for disasters.

Tennessee

Memphis: Center for Transforming Communities — This project will teach residents, especially those age 50-plus, emergency planning skills and provide disaster kits. Two workshops will cover preparedness strategies and local disaster risks.

Texas

Austin: Meals on Wheels Central Texas — This project will feature six emergency preparedness events at Meals on Wheels Central Texas Congregate sites. Participants will learn simple first aid and disaster pre-planning, and receive supplies.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Frederiksted: Tradewind Foundation — This project will implement disaster preparedness training for residents age 50 and older. Participants will learn evacuation procedures, emergency planning, and communication strategies.

Virginia

Chesapeake: Friends of the Chesapeake Public Library — This project will feature three hurricane preparedness sessions for senior living facilities. Displays with sample go-kits and checklists in English and Spanish will be set up in seven libraries.

Washington

Glenwood: Mt. Adams Resource Stewards — This project will conduct a educational campaign to help residents with disaster preparedness. A brochure will include a map of evacuation routes and a community training session will be held for older adults.

Langley: Whidbey Veterans Resource Center — This project will conduct three train-the-trainer events and six public sessions. The focus will be on disaster preparedness, first aid, and disaster pre-planning at community centers, libraries, and senior centers.

Wisconsin

Appleton: Friends of the Appleton Fire Department — The project will provide emergency preparedness guidance from the City of Appleton Fire Department and Emergency Management to two assisted living facilities.

Grants in Support of HomeFit Guide Modifications

Arizona

Tucson: United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona — This project will host a community-wide education event. This event will align with the city of Tucson’s Age Friendly Plan and the Affordable Housing Initiative for Older Adults.

California

Pinole: City of Pinole — This project will host six workshops to educate 120 older adults and individuals with disabilities on universal design and home accessibility solutions.

Santa Cruz: Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County — This project will offer six free workshops to teach older adults how to make their homes safer. Volunteers will also promote a program which provides free grab bars and home safety modifications.

Colorado

Fort Collins: Institute for the Built Environment — This project will create a Lifelong Home Guide to educate residents on integrating features that enhance accessibility, safety, efficiency, and resilience. It will highlight essential home features for aging-in-place.

Connecticut

Simsbury: Town of Simsbury — Simsbury will host an Aging-in-Place Expo at the public library. The expo will feature local building community members, health district officials, and a mobile smart home.

Florida

Jacksonville: The Arc Jacksonville — This project will provide five educational sessions on home safety for community members, caregivers, and professionals supporting older adults with intellectual and developmental differences.

Georgia

City of South Fulton: Facts to Thrive — This project will improve home accessibility for older adults with mobility impairments by installing raised toilet seats in their residences. It will conduct educational trainings demonstrating home modifications.

Illinois

Kewanee: City of Kewanee — Two events will focus on home modifications to help older adults live safely and comfortably in their homes. Residents will learn about preventing falls and receive free supplies.

Indiana

Evansville: Community One — Community One’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program will install handrails or grab bars at thirty residences for people age 50 or over to support safe independent living and comfortable aging in place.

Kentucky

Florence: Northern Kentucky Area Development District — This project will host eight educational sessions at senior centers, focusing on home safety and falls prevention. A digital walkthrough of low-cost home modifications will be created.

Maine

Danforth: Town of Danforth's Livable Communities — This project will host four educational meetings in a tri-county rural region to show older adults and their families how to make homes safer, focusing on fall and injury prevention.

Massachusetts

Westford: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell — This project will conduct two educational trainings on home safety and comfort, targeting older adults and their families in English and Spanish. The program offers assistance to qualified seniors, veterans, and families to address health, safety, and code violations.

Michigan

Brighton, Howell, Pinckney: Livingston County Habitat for Humanity — This project will consist of five home safety events. Topics include common home hazards and prevention strategies, crucial home repairs for safety and accessibility, and cost-effective maintenance solutions.

Macomb County: Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers — This project will use vetted volunteers to conduct home safety visits for low-income older adults. Volunteers will drive to homes and use checklists of easy fixes to make homes safer.

Minnesota

Saint Paul: North East Seniors for Better Living — This project will have staff visit the homes of older adults in need to provide small-scale repairs and make safety improvements.

Mississippi

Indianola: Delta Housing Development Corporation — This project will develop affordable, adaptable homes for individuals age 50-plus. The project promotes independence, prioritizing safety and accessibility to enhance the quality of life for older adults.

New Jersey

Leonia: Borough of Leonia — This project will conduct three educational trainings on home safety for people of all ages. Participants will gain low-cost home safety and accessibility knowledge and may be eligible for minor home modifications.

New Mexico

Bernalillo: Rebuilding Together Sandoval County — This project will provide essential modifications and repairs to enhance safety and mobility for older adults facing mobility challenges.

New York

Johnsburg: Town of Johnsburg Seniors Committee — The project will modify bathrooms and front doors for 10 older adults with limited mobility. These individuals live alone, use assistive devices, and have limited financial resources.

Ohio

Cincinnati: Colerain Township Department of Fire & EMS — This project will feature home safety assessments for residents who have had or are at risk of a fall. The assessments will identify hazards inside and outside the home.

Oklahoma

Shawnee, Tecumseh, Norman: Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority — This project will provide bathroom safety products like shower chairs, bathtub rails, grab bars, non-slip mats, and adjustable shower heads to elderly or disabled residents.

Oregon

Brookings: Ruth’s Eye of the Storm — This project will conduct two educational trainings to make homes safer and more comfortable for surviving families of domestic abuse, focusing on multigenerational households.

Pennsylvania

West Reading: Reading Hospital — This project will refer 30 high-risk fall patients to a program which helps older adults stay in their homes. Participants will receive help installing solutions like grab bars and removable shower heads.

Rhode Island

Jamestown: Friends of Jamestown Seniors Inc. — This project will improve home safety for people age 50 or over through home safety education sessions, home safety visits, and free easy-to-install safety items like night sensor lights and carpet tape.

Tennessee

Memphis: Center for Transforming Communities — This project will help residents assess and implement home modifications for safety and accessibility. It will assist 20 older adults identify resources for improvements like ramps, porch rails, and lighting.

Texas

Fort Davis: Mobile Comunidad — This project will conduct monthly training events to recruit volunteers to help homeowners with simple home modifications and accessibility solutions, primarily targeting those age 50-plus.

Sugar Land: Mayfield Park Subdivision Rehabilitation for Aging Seniors — This project will conduct five educational trainings on making homes safer and more comfortable for all ages, focusing on older adults and their families.

Virginia

Rocky Mount: Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County — This project will complete at least 10 home safety and accessibility modifications, allowing homeowners to age-in-place safely.

Washington

Lummi Island: Lummi Island Health & Wellness Program — This project will offer training to all Lummi Island residents, focusing on older adults who wish to age in place. Residents can request a home assessment and be matched with a volunteer for modifications.

Wyoming

Thermopolis: Hot Springs County Senior Citizens Center Inc. — This project will conduct three educational training workshops for older adults and their families, focusing on making homes safer and encouraging family involvement.