AARP Connecticut invites community organizations and governments across the state to apply for the 2021 Livable Communities Grant Program, a local extension of the national AARP Community Community Challenge Grant initiative. Now in its fourth year, the grant program dedicated to funding “quick-action” projects in Connecticut communities, aims to help the state’s neighborhoods, towns, and cities be great places to live for people of all ages. The application deadline is October 1, 2021. 

“It is incredibly rewarding to support the vast number of communities throughout Connecticut that are doing great work to make sure that people of all ages are included, engaged, and valued,” said Nora Duncan, state director of AARP Connecticut. “Small changes can make big differences, and promising ideas can jumpstart long-term changes, when working to create great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities.” 

The AARP Connecticut Livable Communities Grant Program is open to incorporated organizations that are 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) nonprofits and Connecticut government entities who seek to make improvements in their neighborhood or community in Connecticut. 

Grants can range from small, short-term activities to larger, permanent solutions, but the maximum amount of any single grant will be $5,000. AARP Connecticut has funded 16 projects in the first three years of the Livable Communities Grant Program (five in 2020, seven in 2019, and four in 2018). 

AARP Connecticut will evaluate grant requests from nonprofit organizations and government entities for projects that focus on any of the following areas:

• Affordable and accessible housing options for residents 50+
• Delivery of services to help residents 50+ age in the setting of their choice
• Creating safe and enjoyable public spaces for all ages with a focus on the 50+ (such as improving bike and pedestrian infrastructure, public parks, public art, safe street crossings, navigation, etc.)
• Public Transportation 
• Fostering intergenerational and multi-cultural connection
• Financial security for low-income residents 50+
• Socialization and fostering community connection for older residents 
• Education and awareness about LGBTQ elders 
• Community accessibility for disabled residents 

Comprehensive details about the program and applications can be found on aarp.org/ct, All proposals must be submitted to CTLivable@aarp.org by 5 p.m. ET, October 1, 2021 and all projects must be completed within 12 months from the day grant funding is received. Each section of the application must be completed with all pertinent information. Please email questions to CTLivable@aarp.org.

While AARP Connecticut’s Livable Communities Grant Program is only open to Connecticut towns and nonprofits, AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative funds projects in all 50 states,  Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. AARP announced in August that it will fund 244 projects across the country in 2021,  including three in Connecticut, as part of its fifth annual AARP Community Challenge grant program. More than 800 projects have been funded since grant program began in 2017.

AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative also provides resources and publications to encourage local action such as the Roadmap to Livability and the AARP book-series Where We Live: Communities for All Ages. 

To learn more about AARP’s livable communities work in communities across the country, please visit aarp.org/livable.

About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability, and personal fulfillment.  AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit aarp.org/livable or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.