Apply Now for a 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grant

Attention local non-profit organizations and governments across Wisconsin! The window is now open for you to apply for a 2025 AARP Community Challenge grant. These grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more.

This program is part of our nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for all residents, especially those age 50 and older.

This year, the AARP Community Challenge is accepting applications across three different grant opportunities. All projects must be consistent with AARP’s mission to serve the needs of people 50 and older along with other eligibility criteria.

· Capacity-building microgrants are paired with additional resources, such as one-on-one coaching from national nonprofit organizations, webinars, cohort learning opportunities and more for improving walkability, bikeability; implementing safe, accessible home modifications; and disaster preparedness training.
· Demonstration grants fund projects that encourage replication of exemplary local efforts. This year’s focus is on improving pedestrian safety with funding support from Toyota Motor North America; expanding high-speed internet access and adoption with funding support from Microsoft; reconnecting communities divided by infrastructure; and implementing housing choice design competitions.
· Flagship grants support projects that improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and community resilience.

We are committed to creating communities where people of all ages and abilities can thrive. These grants help cities, towns and counties get things started with small improvements that can kick-start meaningful changes that improve people’s lives and strengthen the places they call home. Since 2017, AARP has invested $20.1 million toward 1,700 projects across all states.

The Community Challenge is open to eligible 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations and government entities. Grants can range from several hundred dollars to tens of thousands. The application deadline is 4:00 p.m. CST on March 5, 2025. All projects must be completed by Dec. 15, 2025. To submit an application and view past grantees visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge.