AARP Montana invites local eligible non-profit organizations and governments across the state to apply for the 2025 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 5, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time. AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more. Now in its ninth year, the 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 all residents, especially those age 50 and older.
“The Community Challenge is a critical part of how AARP Montana works with local residents, advocates, and policymakers to help make already great communities even better places to live — not only for Montanans 50 and older, but people of all ages,” said Tim Summers, AARP Montana State Director.
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.
“AARP is committed to creating communities where people of all ages and abilities can thrive,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “The Community Challenge helps cities, towns, and counties get things started with small improvements that can kick-start meaningful changes that improve people’s lives and strengthens the places they call home.”
Since 2017, AARP has invested $20.1 million toward 1,700 projects across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through the Community Challenge. The program provides direct support to all community types, including rural, suburban and urban communities with a special focus on the needs of those 50 and older.
AARP Montana has awarded a total of $549,531 to 53 community projects across the state since 2017. To see all previous projects go to: states.aarp.org/montana/mtcommunities
AARP Montana works in collaboration with communities to bring people together while providing resources and expertise to help make Montana’s counties, towns and cities become even greater places to live for people of all ages.
“Over the past eight years we have worked with grantees on a wide range of ideas from creating safer streets, improving public transportation, trails and parks to creating community gardens and enlivening neighborhoods with murals, benches, lighting, planter boxes and bike racks.” said Summers.
The Community Challenge is open to eligible 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to tens of thousands for larger projects.
The application deadline is 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time, March 5, 2025. All projects must be completed by December 15, 2025. To submit an application and view past grantees, visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge.
