Get Money to Help Your Community Become a Better Place to Live

Do you have an idea for a project that will help your neighborhood become more livable and need funding? The March 4 deadline is fast approaching for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grant. 

Now in its tenth year, the program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for all residents, especially those age 50 and older.

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Local eligible non-profit organizations and governments are invited to apply by the deadline of  March 4 at noon Hawai`i time. AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more.

Last yearʻs grants included $15,000 to the Kauaʻi Senior Citizens Softball Association to improve softball fields used by both kupuna and keiki; $15,000 to Grow Some Good in Kahului to plant fruit trees and native Hawaiian plants to create a shaded area for kupuna and promote sustainable farming and food security; $15,000 to the Maui Academy of Performing Arts to create an accessible gathering space with new chairs and tables for people of all ages in Wailuku; and $10,000 to U.S. Vets Career Center for new computers and equipment to open a satellite office in Waianae.

“If you have an idea to make your neighborhood a better place to live, we invite you to apply for a Community Challenge grant,” said Keali`i Lopez, AARP Hawai`i State Director. “Projects can be about preparing kupuna and others to better survive disasters, training people to use the Internet to improve their lives, making streets safer for pedestrians, creating and beautifying places where people can gather and more.”

This year, the AARP Community Challenge is accepting applications across three different grant opportunities. All projects must be consistent with AARP’s mission to serve the needs of people 50 and older along with other eligibility criteria.

• Capacity-building microgrants are paired with additional resources, such as one-on-one coaching from national nonprofit organizations, webinars, cohort learning opportunities and more for improving walkability, bikeability; implementing safe, accessible home modifications; and disaster preparedness training.
• Demonstration grants fund projects that encourage replication of exemplary local efforts. This year’s focus is on improving pedestrian safety with funding support from Toyota Motor North America; expanding high-speed internet access and adoption with funding support from Microsoft; reconnecting communities divided by infrastructure; and implementing housing choice design competitions.
• Flagship grants support projects that improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and community resilience.

“AARP is committed to creating communities where people of all ages and abilities can thrive,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “The Community Challenge helps cities, towns and counties get things started with small improvements that can kick-start meaningful changes that improve people’s lives and strengthens the places they call home.”