Purpose Prize® Grant

AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation strengthens financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems.
AARP empowers people to choose how they live as they age. There are 125 million Americans who are 50 or older, and people want their money, health and happiness to last as long as they do. We are a wise friend and fierce defender, focusing on the priorities of older Americans.
Purpose Prize® from AARP
Honoring extraordinary people 50-plus who put their purpose into action.
Purpose is a powerful force for good. The Purpose Prize from AARP honors extraordinary older Americans who put their purpose into action to support AARP’s mission of empowering people to choose how they live as they age. Winners receive $75,000 and a year of organizational support from AARP to grow the impact of their nonprofits. Examples of organizational support include data and evaluation, governance and succession planning, fundraising strategy, and prospectus development.

Eligibility

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
An applicant’s organization should work primarily on issues that support AARP’s mission of empowering people to choose how they live as they age. Each applicant will be asked to identify one of the following issue areas that best describes their work:
Public health (protecting and improving the health of people and their communities by addressing healthy lifestyles, nutrition, disease prevention, brain health, etc.)
Caregiving and caregiver resources (support for vulnerable populations and the people who care for them)
Financial security (financial stability, resilience, economic opportunity, leveraging public benefits, etc.)
Work and jobs (jobs, work environments, alternative approaches to workplace practices)
Civic engagement and community development (helping people be active participants in building and strengthening their communities)
Social connections (reducing isolation among vulnerable community members)
Intergenerational work (opportunities for different generations to come together to share their experience, knowledge, and skills)
Diversity, equity and inclusion (improving the representation, fair treatment and experiences of underserved populations)
Veterans (providing services for veterans, advocating for veterans' rights, empowering veterans)
Fraud and scam prevention (identifying, deterring, and reducing fraudulent activity)
Livable communities and housing (ensuring people 50-plus have safe and affordable housing and livable communities that include transportation options and public spaces)

Ineligibility

Applicants whose organizations do not work primarily on issues that support AARP’s mission will not be considered. Founders of affiliates or chapters of existing non-profit organizations are not eligible to apply. Organizations that are exclusively religious will not be considered. However, applicants working in faith-based settings that have a broader social mission are eligible and encouraged to apply.