The deadline to apply for the 2025 AARP Community Challenge grant is 5:00 p.m. March 5, 2025. There are three different grant categories – Flagship Grants (maximum grant award of $25,000), Capacity-Building Microgrants (maximum grant award of $2,500), and Demonstration Grants (maximum grant award of $25,000). The grant opportunity is open to government entities, IRS designated 501(c)(3),(4), and (6).
Flagship Grants are for projects that benefit residents, especially those over 50 years old, that create vibrant public places that improve open space, parks, and access to other amenities; transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, and access to public and private transit; housing options that increase the availability of accessible and affordable choices; increasing digital connections and enhancing digital literacy skills or residents; and supporting community resilience through investments that improve disaster management, preparedness, and mitigate.
Capacity-Building Microgrants will combine $2,500 grants with additional resources, such as webinars, cohort learning opportunities, and AARP publications. The grant is for projects that benefit residents, especially those over 50 years old, that implement training programs and resources with support from SBP and using the AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit; implementation of walk audit assessments to enhance safety and walkability in communities with support from America Walks and using the AARP Walk Audit Tool Kit; implementation of bike audits to enhance safety and bikeability in communities with support from League of American Bicyclist and using the AARP Bike Audit Tool Kit; and implementing education, simple home modifications and accessible safety solutions to create and maintain lifelong homes with support from RL Mace Universal Design Institute and using the AARP HomeFit Guide.
Demonstration Grants are for projects that benefit residents, especially those over 50 years old, that encourage replication of promising local efforts. The categories are enhancing pedestrian safety with safer streets and sidewalks; expanding high speed internet (broadband) access and adoption; reconnecting communities divide by infrastructure as highlighted in AARP’s Before the Highway; and implementing housing design competitions that enable greater choice in housing using the AARP Housing Design Competition Tool Kit.
Priority will be given to projects that make permanent physical improvements, new and innovative programing, or temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term change. The following projects are not eligible for funding: partisan or election-related activities; planning activities and assessments and surveys without tangible engagement; studies with no follow-up action; publication of books or reports; acquisition of land and/or buildings; purchase of vehicle or mechanical equipment; sponsorship of other organizations events or activities; research and development for a nonprofit endeavor; research and development for a for-profit endeavor; or the promotion of a for-profit entity and/or its products and services.
It is strongly recommended that you review the examples of previously funded AARP Community Challenge projects by category.
For more information, please see AARP’s interactive frequently asked questions or its Frequently Asked Questions document.
Applications must be submitted through the application portable with all pertinent information by March 5, 2025,