AARP Awards Grants to Six Alabama Organizations as Part of its Nationwide Program to Make Communities More Livable

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 28, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamie Harding, JHarding@aarp.org, 205-470-1265

 

AARP Awards Grants to Six Alabama Organizations as Part of its Nationwide Program to Make Communities More Livable

Montgomery, Ala.—Today, AARP Alabama announced six organizations throughout the state will receive 2023 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.6 million awarded among 310 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and older.

“AARP Alabama is committed to working with local leaders to improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes,” said Candi Williams, AARP Alabama State Director. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements in their communities to jumpstart long-term change, especially for Alabamians 50 and over.”

Here in Alabama, projects funded include:

• AARP Chapter 4668 Central Birmingham - funding for improving walkability in the city.
• Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Barbour County – to create a community garden and provide food for low-income families.
• Athens Main Street – to install age-friendly seating at the local farmers market.
• Edward Bell Community Foundation – to create a rural community garden to provide fresh produce to local seniors and a safe exercise space for walking in Camp Hill, Alabama.
• Hubbertville Community Foundation – to create a community space with a walking trail, picnic area, and intergenerational playground equipment in Fayette County.
• Mission of Hope – to support the organization’s food bank by installing commercial-grade warehouse shelving and purchasing grocery carts in the Walker County community of Dora.

AARP Community Challenge grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. True to the program’s quick-action nature, projects must be completed by November 30, 2023.

This year, the AARP Community Challenge accepted applications across three different grant opportunities, including existing flagship grants in addition to new capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability and community gardens. New demonstration grants will focus on improving transportation systems, with funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, and housing choice design competitions.

AARP is also bolstering its investment in rural communities, mobility innovation, transportation options, and health and food access.

“These grants continue to lead to long-term, positive changes in communities across the country,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “This year, we are proud to support the largest number of projects in the program’s seven-year history, which will improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes so everyone can thrive as they age.”

The grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages, especially those age 50 and older. Since 2017, AARP Alabama has awarded 26 grants and $314,300 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.

###

About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.