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Massachusetts Communities Get a Boost from AARP Community Challenge Grants

Local projects across Massachusetts are turning big ideas into real change for residents of all ages

AARP

Published June 24, 2026

AARP

AARP Community Challenge Grants are helping great local ideas take root. Across Massachusetts, communities are turning bold ideas into real improvements for people of all ages

Communities across Massachusetts are gaining new opportunities to connect, stay active, and live well thanks to the latest AARP Community Challenge grants.

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Each year, the AARP Community Challenge funds quick-action projects that help make neighborhoods more livable for people of all ages. In Massachusetts, this year’s grantees are putting ideas into action. Their projects improve safety, expand transportation options, strengthen digital skills, and create welcoming community spaces.

These projects focus on what matters most to residents. They support safer streets and better access to parks. They also help older adults stay connected and avoid scams. Many of the projects strengthen social connections and make it easier for people to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

Together, these efforts are helping build stronger, more inclusive communities across the Commonwealth.

2026 Massachusetts Community Challenge Grantees

Action for Boston Community Development
Training older volunteers in digital skills to help them stay connected and avoid scams

Friends of Berkley Library
Expands internet access for older adults at home and on the go

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
Workshops and guides to help residents make home modifications for safe aging

The Bike Connector - Lowell
Bike audits to assess and improve safety near key destinations

Boston Cyclists Union
Temporary safety measures to improve crossings at high-injury intersections

Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission
Walk audits to identify barriers and improve neighborhood connections

Indian Lake Community Association - Worcester
Street safety improvements, including crosswalks and signage near community spaces

Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly -Boston
Provides digital literacy, fraud prevention education, and tech support to older adults in Boston housing communities

MassDOT
Bikeshare training in Everett, Worcester & Springfield to help older adults feel comfortable using new transportation options

Mendon Council on Aging
Expanding tech access through shared laptops and intergenerational volunteer support

City of Newburyport
Expanding bikeshare access to parks, beaches, and scenic destinations

City of Newton Planning Department
Creating pre-approved designs to make it easier to build accessible housing

North Adams Partnership
Park upgrades to improve accessibility, seating, and community gathering space

SouthCoast Places for People - New Bedford
Builds a safer, walkable “Neighborway” to improve access to parks and downtown for older residents

South County Senior Center - Sunderland
Equips older adults with emergency kits and training to stay safe during extreme weather and outages.

South Hadley Council on Aging
Peer mentors providing faster, one-on-one tech help for residents

Springfield Dementia Friendly Coalition
Trains older adults to prepare for disasters through workshops and preparedness resources

WalkMassachusetts
Workshops and walk audits to improve pedestrian safety and neighborhood walkability in Mattapan

Westport Council on Aging
Home safety repairs for older adults with lower incomes, helping reduce hazards and support independent living

These projects will come to life over the next few months. Most should wrap up by the end of the year. As work gets underway across Massachusetts, AARP is excited to see these ideas in action. From safer streets to stronger social connections, each project shows how small local efforts can make a real difference. Together, they’re helping people of all ages live well in the communities they call home.

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