AARP Accepting Applications for Community Challenge Grants

Image courtesy of AARP.

AARP has announced it is now accepting applications for Community Challenge grants to fund projects that create positive change in local communities.

The program is open to 501(C)(3) and 501(C)(4) nonprofits and government entities. Qualifying projects may vary in scope and size as long as they improve a communityʻs built environment to benefit all ages and ability levels. Examples include:

• Transforming vacant or underutilized public spaces;
• Creating intergenerational playgrounds;
• Installing traffic calming measures like circles, street trees, crosswalk enhancements and more;
• Projects that highlight positive changes to roadways (such as temporary or permanent bike lanes, roundabouts, etc.) and expansion of transportation options.

Eligible projects also include those that drive community engagement and interaction between diverse community residents including culture/art, local communication, public space/place-making, sports, education, well-being, healthy living, etc. These may include:

• Hosting activities to encourage healthy eating and exercise
• Holding open street programs and festivals to encourage people to walk and bike
• Leveraging pop-up/tactical urbanism demonstrations to create parklets, etc.

Groups with projects that are already planned and ready to implement are encouraged to apply.

“We know that great communities require time and effort to sustain,” said AARP Hawai‘i State director Barbara Kim Stanton. “But ‘quick actions’ can be a critical spark for longer-term success. That’s why the AARP Community Challenge will fund projects to help build momentum. If your community group has a project that can be completed by Nov. 1, we encourage you to apply.”

The deadline to apply is July 15, 2017, and all projects must be completed by November 1, 2017. Applications must be submitted online through AARP.org/CommunityChallenge.