MHAC is excited to promote the newly-opened 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grant! Reminders about previously-announced age-friendly grant opportunities are listed below the Community Challenge info.
Since its inception in 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has awarded 2,100 grants totaling $24.3 million to projects that benefit residents — especially those age 50 and older — and accelerate community change.
AARP is accepting applications for the 2026 funding cycle that:
- Deliver tangible improvements to communities, such as new crosswalks, benches, bike lanes, housing designs, and public space enhancements.
- Leverage additional support from public, private, and philanthropic sources
- Help communities overcome policy barriers and implement lasting change
- Foster new collaborations and increase community engagement
Learn more by downloading the AARP Community Challenge Q&A Fact-Sheet and by using the Your Questions Answered tool.
2026 AARP Community Challenge Timeline
- January 27: Question & Answer Webinar, 2 pm ET | 11 am PT
(Attendance is optional. A link to the webinar recording will be posted here after the event.) Register Today!
- March 4: Application Deadline, 5 pm ET | 2 pm PT
See a Sample Application | Submit an Application
- May: Applicants will be notified of their status by email
- June 24: The grantees are announced— and the project work begins!
- December 15: Project completion deadline
- December 31: Deadline for after-action reports
Previously-announced grants:
- MassTrails, MassDOT and Department of Conservation & Recreation (applications due Feb. 2, 2026)
MassTrails provides matching grants to communities, public entities, Native nations, and non-profit organizations to plan, design, create, and maintain the diverse network of trails, trail systems, and trails experiences used and enjoyed by Massachusetts residents and visitors. Applications are accepted annually for a variety of well-planned trail projects benefiting communities across the state.
The award maximum depends on the project type and needs and is generally $100,000 for recreational trails projects and up to $500,000 for shared-use path projects demonstrating critical network connections of regional or statewide significance.
Eligible grant activities include project development, design, engineering, permitting, construction, and maintenance of recreational trails, shared-use pathways, and the amenities that support trails.
MassTrails grants are REIMBURSEMENT grants, meaning grantees must first pay for expenditures and then submit for reimbursement using the required documentation.
MassTrails grants are MATCHING grants and require that proponents provide a minimum of 20% of the total project cost.
Eligible projects require documented land owner permission submitted with the application and are subject to all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
MassTrails grants are reviewed and recommended by the Governor’s Inter-Agency Trails Team and the Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory Board (MARTAB).
More info and the online application are available here.
- Community Compact IT Grant Program, applications due Feb. 5
The Community Compact IT Grant Program is a competitive grant program focused on driving innovation and transformation at the local level via investments in technology. Using the transformative powers of IT, we can drive innovation, make government more efficient, save taxpayer money, and make it easier for residents to interact and transact with their local government.
Communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly can consider this grant to imrpove digital equity among older adults and people of all ages.
Grants of up to $200,000 support the implementation of innovative IT projects by funding related one-time capital needs such as technology infrastructure or software. Incidental or one-time costs related to the capital purchase such as planning, design, installation, implementation and initial training are eligible.
Applications from eligible municipalities will be accepted from January 5, 2026 and closes February 5, 2026 at Noon. Projects awarded grants must be completed within 18 months of the grant award.