Community Challenge Grant: Connecticut

The AARP Community Challenge Grant in Connecticut funds projects aimed at enhancing community livability. This initiative supports quick-action projects that improve public spaces, transportation, and housing, particularly benefiting residents aged 50 and older. With a focus on accessibility and connectivity, the grant encourages local organizations to implement innovative solutions that foster inclusive environments. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and municipalities committed to making impactful changes in their communities, aligning with AARP’s mission to support aging populations.

AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more. Now in its ninth 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.
“The Community Challenge is an important part of how AARP Connecticut works with local residents, advocates, and policymakers to make our communities better places to live for people of all ages,” said Nora Duncan, AARP Connecticut State Director. “The grant program provides an opportunity for communities to develop and execute ideas for projects that can make a big impact.”
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 and 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.

Eligibility

The AARP Connecticut Livable Communities Grant Program is open to incorporated organizations that are 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) nonprofits and Connecticut municipalities who seek to make improvements in their neighborhood or community in Connecticut.Examples of eligible projects are:A municipality purchases personal amplifier devices so individuals with hearing impairments can more fully participate in public events and community meetings. A nonprofit organization remodels its office restroom to make it more wheelchair accessible. A municipality purchases and installs bollards to protect a section of bike lane.

Ineligibility

AARP CT will not fund the following types of activities or organizations under this grant program:Political activitiesStudies with no follow-up action Publication of books or reports Acquisition of land and/or buildings Research and development for a for-profit or commercial endeavor Salaries or bonuses to individuals Commercial activity or for-profit organizations Ongoing operating or capital expenditures of the participating organization Stand-alone meetings, trainings, or eventsExamples of ineligible projects are:A nonprofit that provides community meals uses grant funding to purchase and serve additional meals. A municipality uses grant funding to help purchase a vacant lot to turn into a park. A nonprofit uses grant funding to pay a part-time driver to transport clients to and from appointments.