Communities may apply for coronavirus-related funding in support of older adults through AARP’s Community Challenge grant program. Challenge grants will support quick-action projects that spark change and help improve communities for people of all ages in key livability areas of public spaces, transportation, smart cities, civic engagement, housing and other innovative projects​. Since 2017, AARP has funded 376 projects through Community Challenge grants. 

Deadline extended: Applications will ​be accepted through May 15, 2020 (11:59 pm ET). Winning grants will be announced in August and all projects must be completed by December 18. These reflect new dates under the extended Challenge timeline in response to the coronavirus, allowing communities more time to prepare their applications.

New for 2020: Communities may apply for Challenge grants related to Coronavirus response/recovery in support of older adults. We have added a subcategory for this in ​the “Other” section of the application. Examples of Coronavirus-related projects:

Access to food and necessities

Expanding access to fresh food through farmers’ markets or, via pre-order/tech solutions, grab-and-go options, and/or new home delivery programs.

Building and stocking items like little free libraries or pop up pantries with books, supplies, etc. 

Starting programs for older residents to order (and pay for) groceries from a local grocery store or fill prescriptions which are picked up by volunteers.

Virtual engagement

Piloting innovative community solutions to share in arts and culture while social distancing, for example pop-up drive-in-movies or other art/performance events.

Developing innovative techniques to engage people in assessing the pedestrian safety of their communities, and collecting input to shape community response as a part of economic recovery efforts.

Implementing friendly voice caller programs that virtually engage volunteers to call residents who are isolated. 

Launching intergenerational programs to socially connect with other people Hosting virtual senior academies to connect seniors with information and learning opportunities.

Access to connectivity, services and economic activities

Creating new bike match programs that connect people in need of low-cost transportation solutions with available, underused bicycles.

Expanding Wi-Fi access through mobile hotspot programs, or hotspot loan programs, to help close the digital divide during this time. 

Offering new programs to foster local economic assets (such as activating makers’ spaces in homes, how-to programs on entrepreneurship, repurposing of existing commercial space to adapt to new needs and modes).

Email any questions about the Community Challenge Grant to CommunityChallenge@aarp.org.