About the 2023 AARP Community Challenge

• Ensure a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion while improving the built and social environment of a community;

• Increase digital connections by expanding high-speed internet and enhancing digital literacy skills of residents

• Support community resilience through investments that improve disaster management, preparedness and mitigation for residents

• Increase civic engagement with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion

• Improve community health and economic empowerment in support of financial well-being and improved health outcomes

2. NEW! Capacity-Building Microgrants

By combining $2,500 grants with additional resources — such as webinars, AARP Livable Communities publications, one-on-one coaching with leading national organizations — this grant opportunity benefits residents (especially those age 50 or older) in the following categories:

• Walkability: Implement a walk audit to assess and enhance the safety and walkability of a street or neighborhood with support from America Walks, using the AARP Walk Audit Tool Kit.

• Community Gardens: Start or enhance a community garden with support from 880 Cities, using the AARP publication Creating Community Gardens for People of All Ages.

3. NEW! Demonstration Grants

By supporting demonstration efforts that encourage the replication of promising local efforts, this new grant opportunity benefits residents (especially those age 50 and older) by:

• Advancing solutions that build capacity toward Transportation Systems Change. This grant opportunity of approximately $30,000 to $50,000 per project is sponsored by Toyota Motor North America.

• Implementing Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Competitions that increase public understanding of this housing option and encourage the creation of ADU-supportive policies. This grant opportunity will provide approximately $10,000 to $15,000 per project.

 

Eligibility

Each project must satisfy the guidelines as described in the Grant Opportunities section above as well as in the following three criteria:

1. Organization Type:

The AARP Community Challenge is open to the following types of organizations:

• 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits (Nonprofit organizations must be recognized by the IRS in order to receive funds.)

• Government entities

• Other types of organizations considered on a case-by-case basis. (Funds will not be provided to any for-profit company, nor individuals. However, AARP does allow for IRS recognized 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) tax-exempt non-profit organizations or government entities to serve as fiscal sponsors of grants.)

2. Project Type:

AARP Community Challenge grants may be used to support three project types. Project types described below will be prioritized over those that support ongoing programming or events.

• Permanent physical improvements in the community

• Temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term change

• New, innovative programming pilots or services

3. Mission Focus:

AARP evaluates each project based on its consistency with the AARP mission to serve the needs of people 50-plus.

 

Community Criteria

Although communities that belong to the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities are encouraged to apply, projects that benefit any community and satisfy all other criteria are eligible for consideration.

 

Grant Selection Process

Grant recipients are selected by an AARP panel of experts on aging, community development and livable communities. Projects are judged on the degree to which their goals make an immediate change that leads to longer-term impact and meet all other selection criteria.

Assessment Criteria:

• Impact (60 points): The project addresses a clear need that brings positive change and demonstrates the ability to overcome barriers and accelerate, grow and/or sustain the community’s efforts to become more livable for residents — especially those age 50 or older — focuses on diversity, inclusion and addresses disparities
  
  
• Execution (30 points): Applicants demonstrate the capacity to deliver the AARP Community Challenge project on time and within the awarded budget, effectively engage residents and key stakeholders, and leverage volunteers — especially those age 50 or older — in the execution.
  
  
• Innovation (10 points): The project demonstrates creativity or unique design or engagement elements that will contribute to its impact on residents — especially those age 50 or older

In addition to the criteria provided, AARP will also evaluate each project based on its consistency with the AARP mission to serve the needs of people age 50-plus.

 

Application Requirements

• Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements
  
  
• Applications must be submitted through the online application form (see the box above) with all pertinent information by Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 5 p.m. (ET)
  
  
• Incomplete applications will not be reviewed

 

Notification

Grant recipients and unselected applicants will be notified by email in May 2023. Grantees must execute and email a binding Memorandum of Understanding and completed vendor forms to AARP by Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Noncompliance with this deadline may result in disqualification or delayed funding.

Submission Terms and Conditions

If you submit this application, you agree on behalf of yourself and your organization to release AARP and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents and representatives from all liability associated with submission and evaluation of your organization’s application.

By submitting an application to AARP, the applicant agrees that:

• The decisions of AARP regarding the eligibility of applicants and the validity of entries shall be final and binding.
  
  
• All submissions will be judged by AARP, whose decisions and determinations as to the administration of the award and selection of award recipients are final.
  
  
• AARP has the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, or suspend the award.

• All projects and applications shall not violate any third-party rights.

• Except where prohibited by law, participation in the AARP Community Challenge constitutes the Applicant’s consent to AARP’s use of the organization’s name and corporate logo, street address, city, state, zip code, county, and names, likenesses, photographs, videos, images, and statements made or provided by the Applicant’s representatives regarding the award for promotional purposes in any media without further permission, consent, payment or other consideration.

• The organization agrees to carry and maintain comprehensive general liability and professional liability in an amount not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) and workers’ compensation insurance in an amount as required by applicable law covering all personnel engaged in the execution of the grant.

• All promotional materials (such as newsletters, press releases), events and signage related to the funded project will include a statement indicating that support was received from AARP.

• The organization is required to capture photos of the project and is encouraged to capture video. As the organization captures photos and video of the project, if an identifiable individual appears in the photos and/or videos, the organization is responsible for having him/her sign the AARP General Release (this document will be provided to grantees with the MOU and other required paperwork). In addition, the organization should not include any element in photos or videos provided to AARP that may violate third party rights such as artwork and trademarks in text and logo other than those owned by the organization and AARP. The organization should be prepared to send work in progress photos to AARP upon request. Following the grant period, grantees are required to respond to periodic requests for updates from AARP.

• AARP and its affiliated organizations, subsidiaries, agents and employees are not responsible for late, lost, illegible, incomplete, stolen, misdirected, illegitimate, or impermissible submissions or any other error whether human, mechanical or electronic.

• Questions? Please email CommunityChallenge@AARP.org

_{Page published January 18, 2023. Updated June 28, 2023}