Small Dollar, Big Impact Grants
Funding Amount
Up to US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- The following types of entities:501(C)(3), 501(C)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits
- Tribal entities
Geography
- Located within the State of Wisconsin
Required status
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Other requirements
- Government entities
Not eligible / not funded
- Not eligible: For-profit entities are not eligible to apply.
- Not eligible: The following projects are not eligible for funding:Partisan, political or election-related activities
- Not eligible: Planning activities and assessments and surveys of communities
- Not eligible: Publication of books or reports
- Not eligible: Acquisition of land and/or buildings
- Not eligible: Sponsorships of other organizations’ events or activities
- Not eligible: Research and development for a nonprofit endeavor
- Not eligible: Research and development for a for-profit endeavor
- Not eligible: The promotion of a for-profit entity and/or its products and services
Overview
The Small Dollar, Big Impact Grants program in Wisconsin invites applications for innovative community projects aimed at enhancing local livability. Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to eligible nonprofits, government, and tribal entities that utilize AARP's Livable Communities Resource library. Projects must be completed within 60 days of selection and should focus on practical, low-cost solutions that foster community engagement and improve quality of life for residents.
Applications are accepted from across Wisconsin for “Small Dollar, Big Impact” grants, which will be awarded to new projects that are designed to improve a community and make it a better place for everyone to live, work, and play as they age. Projects must use the AARP Livable Communities Resource library in their development. Within the resource library you will find publications and tool kits that provide ideas on placemaking, public space improvements, or simple ways to address walkability, to name a few. AARP Wisconsin may award a grant of up to $1,000 to at least one eligible applicant. The grant amount could be a portion of or the total cost for the project. All projects must be completed within 60 days from winner announcement. If your project includes public engagement, please ensure that the activities follow all local/state guidelines.
Small Dollar, Big Impact grants are exactly what the name describes – simple, short-term, low-cost solutions that could have remarkable impacts on the shaping of neighborhoods and cities. There are so many great ideas and proposals for making life better in communities across Wisconsin. We know how impactful $1,000 can be. This is our way of extending some seed money to get these projects off the ground.
Eligibility
The program is open to the following types of entities:501(C)(3), 501(C)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits
Ineligibility
For-profit entities are not eligible to apply.The following projects are not eligible for funding:Partisan, political or election-related activities
Planning activities and assessments and surveys of communities
Research and development for a for-profit endeavor
The promotion of a for-profit entity and/or its products and services
What AARP Foundation actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 114
- Total given
- $11.05M
- Median grant
- $50K
- Range
- $6,000–$788K
- By dollars: California 22%, District of Columbia 14%, New York 13%. Top recipient cities: Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA; Atlanta, GA.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 40% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
Older Adults Technology Services · New York, NY
Grant to support aarp foundation's economic mobility program
$788K
University of California College of the Law San Francisco · San Francisco, CA
Grant to support aarp foundation's advancing economic opportunity program
$677K
Code for America Labs Inc · San Francisco, CA
Grant to support aarp foundation's financial wellbeing program
$532K
Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies Inc · Paramus, NJ
Grant to support aarp foundation's advancing economic opportunity program
$450K
Info Line of San Diego · San Diego, CA
Grant to support aarp foundation's financial wellbeing program
$350K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Nonprofits
- Seniors
- Community development
- Small grants
Categories
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