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Grant Opportunity for Community Improvement Projects

AARP

Published January 16, 2026

AARP

Building great communities takes time – but small, tangible improvements can spark lasting change. That’s the idea behind the AARP Community Challenge, a grant program launched in 2017 to support quick-action projects that enhance livability nationwide.

Now in its tenth year, the program is accepting applications through March 4, 2026, at aarp.org/CommunityChallenge.

The AARP Community Challenge is designed to:

Accelerate local ideas
Encourage innovation
Overcome policy barriers
Attract additional funding and support

It’s open to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations, government entities, and other organizations on a case-by-case basis. All projects must be completed by December 15, 2026.

2026 Grant Opportunities

AARP is offering three distinct funding tracks to help communities become more livable for people of all ages – especially those 50 and older.

Flagship Grants

Support projects that improve Public Places; Transportation; Housing; Digital Connections; and Disaster Resilience. Awards range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000.

Capacity-Building Microgrants

$2,500 grants paired with expert support, webinars, and cohort learning. Focus areas include Walk Audits, Bike Audits, HomeFit® Guide Modifications, and Disaster Preparedness Training.

Demonstration Grants

Designed to replicate promising local efforts. Topics include Pedestrian Safety (funding support from Toyota Motor North America), High-Speed Internet (funding support from Microsoft), and Housing Design Competitions. Awards typically range from $10,000-$20,000, and will not exceed $25,000.

“We are thrilled to open the AARP Community Challenge grant program once again and encourage all eligible organizations to apply,” said Cathy McLeer, AARP Minnesota State Director. “Past grantees have made tangible improvements that spark long-term change in communities across Minnesota.”

Since 2017, AARP has funded 2,100 projects nationwide, including 45 in Minnesota. Recent examples include digital skills training for older adults in Koochiching County, accessible raised‑bed gardens in Waite Park and Woodbury, improvements to Kennedy Park in West St. Paul, and a new transportation program in Hutchinson that allows older adults to request rides when they need them. Each project reflects the program’s goal: to fund solutions that address local needs and create more livable places for people of all ages.

About the AARP Community Challenge

The grant program is part of AARP’s Livable Communities initiative, which helps neighborhoods, towns, cities, and counties become great places to live for people of all ages. We believe communities should offer: