NEWS

Age-Friendly Funding Alerts: AARP Community Challenge, The Health Foundation of Central Mass., Community Compact IT Grant, Reminders

Jan 29, 2025

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is pleased to promote the following funding opportunities that support inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities:

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.

This 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.

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.

Many past projects have addressed digital equity for residents of all ages. More information is available here.

The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts’ 2025 Activation Fund grant opportunity is now open!  Grants support discrete, one-year projects in Central Massachusetts aimed at helping an organization move to its next level of capacity and effectiveness that can be sustained over time and amounts typically range between $60,000 – $125,000.  The deadline for submitting a concept paper to express interest in applying is February 28.  To learn more about the application guidelines and register for a virtual information session, please click here.

LifePath is currently seeking proposals for a limited number of projects that support our region’s vision of Age- and Dementia-Friendly communities, where older adults and residents of all ages can enjoy greater safety, connectivity, and belonging. With generous support from Point32 Health Foundation, we are ensuring that Franklin County and North Quabbin are a place where everyone can age well. To learn more about Age & Dementia-Friendly Franklin & North Quabbin, check out the Action Plan.

Details and application info are available here.

  • MicroProjects Program for transportation projects, Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Organization (deadline, Feb. 14th, 2025)

The MicroProjects Program is the Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Organization (CMMPO) funding program for first and last mile solutions, community transportation, and other small, non-traditional transportation projects, such as bikesharing facilities.

The MicroProjects Program was created by the CMMPO with the intent to fill the gaps in the transportation network, create first and last mile connections between transit and other modes of transportation, and to support access to essential services, including jobs, education opportunities, health services, and healthy food.

From the public outreach and engagement activities, the CMMPO heard loud and clear the need for more local transportation services. To that end, the CMMPO allocated $400,000 per year to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the MicroProjects Program. Schedule is subject to change pending cost increases or programming year changes of existing TIP projects.

Details and application info is available here.

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.

More information is available here.