NEWS

Age-Friendly Funding Alerts: Last Call for Shared Streets & Spaces, AARP Community Challenge, BU MetroBridge

Feb 23, 2022

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages communities working to become more age and dementia friendly and our network of stakeholders to check out the following funding and support opportunities.

  • MassDOT Shared Streets & Spaces Grant (Due March 1st)

MassDOT announced a fourth round of the Shared Streets & Spaces Grant Program, which awards bonus points for projects that are inclusive of older adults. The grant program  provides funding to municipalities and public transit authorities to quickly implement improvements to plazas, sidewalks, curbs, streets, bus stops, parking areas, and other public spaces in support of public health, safe mobility, and strengthened commerce.

MassDOT has also included Dementia Friendly Design Considerations in their resource library. This resource was developed by a subcommittee of the state’s Alzheimer’s Advisory Council coordinated by MHAC, Mass Councils on Aging and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

  • AARP Community Challenge Grant (Due March 22nd)

The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

This year, applications will be accepted for projects to improve public spaces; housing; transportation; civic engagement; diversity, equity and inclusion; support efforts to build engagement for programs under new federal laws; and other innovative ideas that support people age 50 or older.

Applications are due March 22.

  • Boston University’s MetroBridge Program

The MetroBridge program at BU’s Initiative on Cities is currently seeking government and community project partners for the Fall 2022 semester.

MetroBridge embeds real-world projects for municipalities and community organizations into courses at BU, enlisting students and faculty as allies in addressing real issues confronting our region. BU invites local governments and community-based organizations to submit their own original project ideas or select one based on a menu of project ideas.

More info is available at the MetroBridge Program website here.