AARP Investing in California Communities as Part of Nationwide Grant Program

11 communities across California are getting a boost in their work to become more livable for residents of all ages.

Each year, AARP works in partnership with local leaders, organizations, and dedicated residents to help make that vision a reality. As part of that effort, AARP is excited to announce the largest investment of grant dollars to date through the AARP Community Challenge grant program. More than $3.8 million in quick-action grants are being distributed to 343 projects across all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The AARP Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as public places; housing; transportation; and more. In 2024, AARP is bolstering its investment in digital connectivity, community resilience, rural communities, and addressing disparities. With additional funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, the program is also increasing its investment in pedestrian safety projects that will improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian infrastructure, engage community members and much more.

AARP California is incredibly proud to have 11 projects granted right here in our state. Our goal is to support their efforts to create great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities. As local leaders seek to better their communities for the future, this becomes even more critical.

The program is funding projects across three different grant opportunities, including flagship grants, capacity-building microgrants, and demonstration grants. Here in California, these exciting projects were funded:

• Adams Avenue Business Association – San Diego: Received a $20,00 flagship grant to create a large community mural and transform an alley into a green space. A pop-up event will feature mural designs chosen based on community input and residents will join professionals and city staff to create the mural
• City of Imperial Beach: Received a $15,000 flagship grant to build and maintain a community garden that features raised garden beds and accessible benches to accommodate older gardeners. They will also hold classes and other gatherings that foster social connections.
• Keiro Services – Los Angeles: Received a $2,500 capacity-building microgrant that will support three volunteer walk audits in Little Tokyo's commercial district. Participants will identify potential improvements to sidewalks and crosswalks and share their findings with local leaders, resulting in improved design and safety for residents of all ages.
• Outer Sunset Neighbors – San Francisco: Received a $2,500 capacity-building microgrant that will support three walk audits where participants will evaluate the safety and walkability of sidewalks and crosswalks in San Francisco's Little Chinatown neighborhood and present the results to city officials to create meaningful improvement.
• Placemaking US – Long Beach: Received a $16,675 flagship grant to support the development of a community comal – or traditional griddle – to engage older Meso-American women in a weekly tortilla making gathering. This project will foster intergenerational connections and enhance community connection.
• Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates: Received a $2,500 capacity-building microgrant to host a bike audit of Rancho Cordova's first-ever roundabout project, followed by a meeting with city public works staff to discuss the findings and next steps.
• Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum – Sacramento: received a $10,000 flagship grant to host a pop-up placemaking project that will transform a parking lot into an outdoor plaza for people of all ages and abilities. Volunteers will install accessible benches to accommodate older adults attending planned events in the space.
• Streets for All – Los Angeles: Received a $15,000 demonstration grant to host pop-up events where community members can help to identify solutions to reconnect and strengthen a neighborhood that has been bisected by a freeway for decades. Not only will the event include community members from both sides of the freeway, but it will also welcome staff and patients at the nearby hospital.
• U.S. Green Building Council Central California – Fresno: Received a $20,000 demonstration grant to host a design competition that will invite professionals and students to explore adaptive reuse options for an existing empty office space. The contestants will explore how to reuse empty commercial spaces to combat the housing crisis.
• Vallejo Main Street: Received a $15,000 flagship grant to transform a neglected alleyway into a lively gathering space for residents of all ages. Volunteers will add temporary amenities to the space, which will support more permanent investment into Vallejo's downtown revitalization.
• Webster Heights Community Development Corporation Inc. – San Diego: Received a $2,500 capacity-building microgrant to host a bike audit with older adults along a multi-use path to identify possible safety improvements for the route. Participants, residents, and city officials will then meet to discuss the audit's findings.

The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all residents. We believe that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge both here in California as well as across the nation, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view the AARP Livable Communities Map – a free, interactive tool with information on the more than 1,700 AARP Community Challenge grantees and more than 800 members in the Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.