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

AARP

Published January 16, 2026

Do you have an idea for a project that will help your neighborhood become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more? Your nonprofit community group can apply for a 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grant.

Now in its ninth year, the community challenge grant 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.

Put your idea into words and submit a proposal for money that could make your idea a reality. The application period for the AARP Livable Communities 2026 Community Challenge Grant program is now open and the deadline to apply is noon on March 4.

Last year, four Hawaiʻi organizations received $70,000 in grants on Oahu, Kauaʻi and Maui. The projects included improving softball fields on Kauaʻi; planting fruit trees and creating an intergenerational gathering place on Maui and improving services for veterans on Oahu.

Now in its 10th year, the Challenge has awarded 31 grants in Hawai`i totaling $413,836 since 2017 to nonprofit organizations and local government entities.

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.

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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.”

The Community Challenge is open to eligible 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to tens of thousands for larger projects.

To apply and view past grantees, visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. More information will also be available at a webinar on Jan. 27 at 9 a.m. Hawaiʻi time. Register for the webinar at https://virtualevents.aarp.org/2026GrantWebinar/en.

The webinar will be recorded and available after the event.