AARP invests in NH communities with grants to four organizations

Communities across New Hampshire are working to become more livable for residents of all ages.

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AARP is working 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 Community Challenge grant program. More than $3.4 million in quick-action grants are being distributed to 260 organizations across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as transportation; public spaces; housing; diversity, equity, and inclusion; civic engagement; and more. This year, with additional funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is also increasing its investment in projects that improve mobility innovation and transportation options.

AARP is also bolstering its support of affordable and adaptable housing solutions in response to the national housing crisis, as well as those that address disparities through permanent or temporary solutions. Many of this year’s projects also include ways to help communities leverage funding under the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

AARP New Hampshire is incredibly proud to have four grantees 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.

Here in New Hampshire, these exciting and diverse projects were funded:

• Hillsborough Community Center – create a welcoming space for older adults to rest and enjoy a small garden.
• Friends of Constitution Park Ossipee – build a small pavilion to provide shade, a gathering place, and an age-friendly refuge as part of the revitalization of the 107-acre town park.
• Friends of the Northern Rail Trail (Lebanon, NH) – provide an electric rickshaw and connect seniors with volunteer cyclists who will take them for rail trail rides.
• Town of Newport, NH – turn a vacant lot into a community dog park and community garden with ADA accessible walkways and benches and raised gardening beds.

The Community Challenge 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 New Hampshire as well as across the nation, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all of the Community Challenge projects and AARP New Hampshire’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.