The AARP Community Challenge Grant is coming soon! Since its debut in 2017, the grant program has invested $24.3 million in 2,100 livability projects, with a focus on meeting the needs of adults age 50 or older, in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C. The last round of awardees for Massachusetts are available here.

Community-based nonprofit organizations and local governments are eligible to apply.

• Each year’s grant cycle begins when applications open in January
• Applications are due in March
• Selected grantees are announced in June
• All funded projects need to be completed by year’s end

More information is available on AARP’s Community Challenge website here.

Previously announced Age-Friendly funding opportunities include the following programs:

communities:

• Shared Streets & Spaces, MassDOT (applications due Jan. 9, 2026)

The Shared Streets and Spaces Program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The 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.

Every municipality and public transit authority in the Commonwealth is eligible to apply for funding. A municipality may only be awarded one grant per funding program per grant round.

Projects must align with the program goals of supporting public health, safe mobility, and strengthened commerce. In general, successful projects are those that can be implemented quickly, flexibly, at relatively low cost, and that have demonstrated community support. Unlike previous rounds, communities are able to apply for $150,000 in design funding and $1,000,000 in construction funding. Equipment and materials applications are eligible for up to $250,000 per grant. This is a quick-build grant program focused on projects that are easily implementable. Applicants should only apply for projects that can be implemented within 18 months of the Notice to Proceed (NTP).

More details and application information are available here and previous examples of age-friendly projects supported by this grant can be seen in blog posts from last year and from 2022.

• 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.