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Greater Grand Rapids, MI
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AARP Awards Grants to Six Organizations in Michigan as Part of Nationwide Program to Make Communities More Livable

Posted on 06/27/24 by Careena Eggleston

Today, AARP announced six organizations throughout Michigan will receive 2024 Community Challenge grants – part of AARP’s largest investment in communities to date with $3.8 million awarded among 343 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages 50 and older.

“AARP Michigan is committed to working with local leaders, advocates and policymakers to make our communities better places to live for Michigan residents of all ages, especially those 50 and older,” said Ramón Harris, Associate State Director for Community Outreach. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements to address long-standing and emerging challenges across our communities.”

The projects funded in Michigan include:

Berkley Downtown Development Agency, Berkley, MI
Award: $2,500
Conducting walkability audits in Berkley’s downtown area to identify opportunities for improvements to enhance safety and mobility.

Canfield Consortium, Detroit, MI
Award: $20,000
Creating a multiuse trail with accessible pathways, rest areas and signage transportation, physical activity, social interaction and access to local services and amenities.

City of Royal Oak, Royal Oak, MI
Award: $15,000
Adding accessible seating to public spaces to make public places more inclusive and usable and accessible, supporting social engagement, outdoor activities and community involvement.

Historic Charlton Park, Hastings, MI
Award: $15,000
Enhancing accessibility to create inclusive public spaces for people of all ages and abilities, promoting lifelong learning and social participation.

In Our Backyard, Lansing, MI
Award: $20,000
Reconnecting communities divided by past infrastructure decisions to foster community advocacy and address long-standing barriers to connectivity and mobility.

Lions and Rabbits for the Arts, Grand Rapids, MI
Award: $15,000
Repainting sidewalk art to improve wayfinding and walkability to make it easier for older adults to navigate, promoting independence and community engagement.

This year, AARP awarded three different grant opportunities, including flagship grants, capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability, bikeability and accessible home modifications, and demonstration grants that focus on equitable engagement to reconnect communities, housing choice design competitions and improving digital connections to endure disasters.

With funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is increasing its investment in pedestrian safety projects that will improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian infrastructure, engage community members and much more. AARP is also bolstering its investment in community resilience, rural communities, and addressing disparities.

“Whether it’s helping people access high-speed internet or protecting public transit riders from rain and snow, small community projects can have a big impact on people of all ages,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “AARP Community Challenge grantees make our commitment to creating better places to live a reality through quick, innovative solutions.”

The grant 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 people of all ages, with an emphasis on people ages 50 and older. Since 2017, AARP Michigan has awarded 30 grants and more than $430,000 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

AARP Community Challenge grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. True to the program’s quick-action nature, projects must be completed by December 15, 2024.

View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.


For media inquiries, contact:
Careena Eggleston by phone at 517-246-1225 or email: ceggleston@aarp.org.
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