AARP Invests in Five Minnesota Communities

Five communities across Minnesota are getting a boost in their work to become more livable for residents of all ages through the AARP Community Challenge grant program.

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. In Minnesota, AARP is investing $69,825 in Minnesota communities.

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 Minnesota is incredibly proud to have 5 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 Minnesota, these exciting projects were funded:

• City of West St. Paul (West St. Paul) for $20,000 - The city will host a series of intergenerational events meant to revive an underused public park. The events, including a movie in the park, community meal and crosswalk painting, will inform future park system improvements.
• Asian American Business Resilience Network (Saint Paul) for $20,000 - This project will create a virtual reality production depicting life in the Rondo neighborhood before, during and after a 1960s Interstate highway project split the community in two. Organizers will ask older residents to contribute their stories.
• Woodbury Thrives (Woodbury) for $6,600 - This project will make improvements to a community garden, allowing older adults and people with disabilities to use the space. Enhancements will include ADA-compliant raised beds, signage and new gardening tools.
• ConnectAbility of MN (Waite Park) for $11,450 - This project will repair a trailer used to transport donated wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs and other assistive devices. In addition, the organization will create a model raised garden, which will be accessible for gardeners using wheelchairs or walkers.
• Koochiching County (International Falls) for $11,775 - The county will engage high school students to teach digital skills to older adult residents and veterans. A local business will provide low-cost, used laptops loaded with software, which participants can keep after the training.

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 Minnesota 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.