AARP Ohio Now Accepting 2026 Community Challenge Grant Applications

COLUMBUS, OHIO—AARP Ohio invites local eligible nonprofit organizations and governments to apply for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. 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 tenth year, AARP will double its investment, awarding over $8 million in grants as part of its 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.

“Through the Community Challenge grant program, AARP Ohio partners with local residents, advocates, and policymakers to create tangible improvements that make communities more livable for people of all ages—especially Ohioans 50 and older,” said Jenny Carlson, AARP Ohio State Director. “As we celebrate the program’s tenth anniversary and Ohio’s first full year as part of the AARP Age-Friendly Network, we’re excited to build on the momentum of more than 56 projects already funded in Ohio. This year’s expanded investment gives us an incredible opportunity to help communities advance their Age-Friendly action plans and make Ohio a place where everyone can grow up and grow old together.”

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.
 

• Flagship grants support projects that improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and disaster resilience. Awards range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000.
• Capacity-building microgrants are paired with expert support, webinars, and cohort learning for projects to improve walkability and bikeability; implement safe, accessible home modifications; and disaster preparedness training. Awards are $2,500.
• 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; and housing choice design competitions. Awards typically range from $10,000-$20,000, not to exceed $25,000.

Since 2017, AARP has invested $24.3 million toward 2,100 livability projects – including more than 56 in Ohio– across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through the Community Challenge. The program aims to provide support to all community types, including rural, suburban and urban communities with a special focus on the needs of those 50 and older.

AARP Ohio works in collaboration with communities across the state, bringing people together, and providing resources and expertise to help make Ohio’s counties, towns and cities great places to live for people of all ages. The grants have helped fund walk audits to make communities more walkable, develop parks and outdoor spaces, build a grocery store in a food desert, provide computer training and online access, and prepare disaster preparedness bags for any emergency.

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 5:00 p.m. Eastern, March 4, 2026. All projects must be completed by December 15, 2026. Interested organizations are encouraged to attend AARP Ohio’s virtual information session on January 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Click here to register.

Click here to register. To submit an application and view past grantees, visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge.