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Building Better Communities: AARP GA Accepts Community Challenge Grant Applications

Posted on 01/10/25 by Adrion Bell

Great communities aren’t built overnight. They require careful planning, collaboration, and a shared commitment from local leaders, organizations, and residents. Sometimes, it only takes one idea or one project to create a ripple effect that transforms a neighborhood for generations to come. The AARP Community Challenge grant program aids in funding ideas and projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more.

AARP Georgia is inviting local nonprofits, governments, and other organizations to apply for grants as a part of its 2025 Community Challenge. Applications must be submitted online through http://aarp.org/communitychallenge by March 5, 2025, at 5 p.m., ET. AARP will host a public Q&A webinar on January 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET to discuss the program and answer questions. Interested participants may register for the webinar at Q&A Webinar.

The AARP Community Challenge grants range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars and fund quick-action projects that make tangible differences in local communities. These grants empower local leaders to make quick, tangible improvements, while also laying the groundwork for more ambitious, long-term transformations. Whether it’s installing a bench in a busy park, enhancing transportation options, or building connections between neighbors, these projects work toward making communities safer, more accessible, and more engaging for all.

These projects aren’t just about making a visible difference—they’re about creating lasting change that benefits everyone. For example, the Atlanta Department of Transportation used the grant to recently build several micromobility corrals for bicycle and scooter users to enhance safety and mobility for pedestrians by clearing sidewalks and improving crosswalk visibility.

Now in its ninth year, the 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 all residents, especially those age 50 and older. AARP Georgia boasts 40 grants totaling $438,718 through the Community Challenge. Nationally, the AARP has invested more than $20.1 million into nearly 1,700 projects.

Grant opportunities are awarded in three designations:

  • Flagship Grants

This is AARP’s traditional, flagship Community Challenge grant program offering grants from several hundred dollars for smaller, short-term activities to tens of thousands of dollars for larger projects. These grants will support projects that improve public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and community resilience.

  • Capacity-Building Microgrants

These $2,500 grants are combined with additional resources, such as webinars, cohort learning opportunities, up to two hours of one-on-one coaching from leading national nonprofit organizations and AARP publications. This grant opportunity will accept applications for projects that support Disaster Preparedness Training, Walk Audits, Bike Audits, and HomeFit® Guide Modifications.

  • Demonstration Grants

This opportunity funds demonstration projects that encourage replication of promising local efforts. Grants tend to fall between $10,000-$20,000 and will not exceed $25,000. This grant opportunity will be open for projects that enhance pedestrian safety with funding support from Toyota Motor North America; expand high-speed internet (broadband) access and adoption with funding support from Microsoft; reconnect communities divided by infrastructure; and implement housing design competitions.

“The Community Challenge plays a vital role in AARP Georgia's efforts to collaborate with local residents, advocates, and policymakers to improve our communities,” said Vanessa J. Payne, AARP Georgia’s state director.

The Community Challenge is open to eligible 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis.

For more information visit AARP Community Challenge

 
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