AARP Investing $115,000 in New Hampshire Communities Through Expanded Nationwide Grant Program

AARP is proud to announce the 10-year anniversary of the AARP Community Challenge, a decade-long effort to accelerate community improvements through quick-action grants. To make this milestone – and in response to high demand – AARP has doubled the size of the program in 2026, enabling us to support more communities and more high-impact local projects than ever before.

In 2026, $8.3 million in quick-action grants are being awarded to 750 projects across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The AARP Community Challenge supports innovative projects that create immediate change while paving the way for long-term improvements. Grants focus on priority areas including public places, housing, transportation, digital connectivity, and more.

Additional 2026 program funders include:

• Toyota Motor North America, supporting pedestrian safety initiatives to improve streets and sidewalks nationwide.
• Microsoft, funding digital connections projects that expand high-speed internet access and promote broadband adoption.

Here in New Hampshire, AARP is thrilled to support 11 projects that are helping to create great places for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. As local leaders work to create more livable communities, these grants provide essential support – especially in areas where small, flexible investments can lead to big change.

2026 Grantees in New Hampshire Include:

• Crotched Mountain Foundation, Greenfield – Accessible mountain trails will be repaired and maintained with improved surfaces, drainage and cleared paths. These updates will help people using mobility aids safely enjoy year-round outdoor recreation on the trail.
• Age Friendly Deerfield  –  An automatic door opener will be added to a municipal building to support multigenerational programs for older adults. This upgrade will make entry easier and safer and help people of all ages access activities independently.
• The Park Theatre, Jaffrey – A wall-mounted handrail will be installed along the interior passage connecting the theater lobby and main auditorium. The added support will assist patrons and volunteers who experience balance, mobility, or vision challenges.
• Goffstown Main Street – Crosswalk warning lights, high-visibility markings and updated signs will be installed in a busy village center. These changes will make street crossings easier to see and safer for pedestrians, especially older adults.
• Cross Roads House, Portsmouth – A homeless shelter will add supportive seating, safety equipment and basic accessibility features in shared spaces. The changes will help older adults and people with disabilities move safely, rest comfortably, and use common areas during the day.
• Friends of Nottingham Parks and Recreation – Outdoor basketball, pickleball and tennis courts will be built to provide low-impact exercise and social opportunities. The courts will give older adults and other residents a nearby place to stay active and gather outdoors.
• The Front Door Agency, Nashua – The project will install hallway handrails and upgrade a housing unit at a supportive housing site for older women. These changes will reduce the risk of falls and improve safety and accessibility throughout the building.
• Claremont Parks and Recreation – The department will build a permanent pavilion with shade and seating at a popular park. This structure will provide older adults with a safe place to rest, cool off, and gather during walks and community activities.
• Laconia Housing – An accessible patio and pavilion will be built to relocate resident gatherings away from a busy parking lot. This safer space will reduce conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, especially for residents using mobility devices.
• Claremont MakerSpace – Walk audits will assess the safety of a planned downtown art walk route. The findings will guide remediation planning for sidewalks, paths, and intersections.
• City of Keene – The city will conduct walk and bike audits to identify priority infrastructure needs. Audit data will shape updates to the Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan.