AARP has opened its Community Challenge grant program for the 9th year, which will again quick-action projects to make communities more livable and jump-start long-term change.
Applications are being accepted now through March 5 at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT and must be submitted through //AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. Projects must be completed by December 15, 2025. The program is open to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6) nonprofits and government entities.
In 2025, the AARP Community Challenge is accepting applications for projects that benefit residents (especially those age 50 and older) across three different grant opportunities:
- Flagship Grants
This is AARP’s flagship Community Challenge grant program where grants have ranged 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 expert support with leading national 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
Supporting demonstration efforts that encourage replication of promising local efforts, this grant opportunity will accept applications for enhancing pedestrian safety with funding support from Toyota Motor North America; expanding high-speed internet (broadband) access and adoption with funding support from Microsoft; reconnecting communities divided by infrastructure; and housing design competitions.
Since 2017, AARP has invested over $20.1 million through 1,700 Community Challenge grants to organizations in all 50 states, D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Past projects have demonstrated an ability to help grantees garner additional funds or support from public and private funders, encourage replication and overcome local policy barriers and receive greater overall awareness and engagement.
Please visit //AARP.org/CommunityChallenge for more information and to see some of the past grantees in action – helping to revitalize alleyways, create vibrant public spaces, design safer crosswalks and much more! Feel free to ask me any questions, or you can email communitychallenge@aarp.org.