AARP Maines Announces 2024 Community Challenge Grantees

AARP Awards Grants to Fourteen Organizations in Maine as Part of Nationwide Program to Make Communities More Livable

Portland, Maine—Today, AARP announced fourteen organizations throughout Maine will receive 2024 Community Challenge grants – part of AARP’s largest investment in communities to date with $3.8 million awarded among 343 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages 50 and older.

“AARP Maine is committed to working with local leaders, advocates and policymakers to make our communities better places to live for Mainers of all ages, especially those 50 and older,” said Noël Bonam, AARP Maine State Director. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements to address long-standing and emerging challenges across our communities.”

Here in Maine, projects funded include (alphabetically by community name):

• Danforth Livable Communities - This project will improve accessibility at an open-air pavilion in Danforth's downtown by adding benches and a sound system. This will make community events held in the space more welcoming for residents of all ages and abilities.
  
• Fort Fairfield Public Library - The library will transform an unused patch of grass into a memorial garden featuring flowers, an arbor and a gazebo. The space will be accessible for people who use wheelchairs or walkers, as well as for older adults.
  
• Vision Hallowell - This project will increase accessibility in a local park by adding a smooth path and replacing outdated picnic tables. The organization will also install two bike racks onsite.
  
• Town of Lamoine - Part of an ongoing safe walking initiative, the town will conduct a walk audit to identify safety issues along a popular trail, with a focus on Lamoine's growing older adult population. Participants will also receive free safe walking kits.
  
• Town of Pittsfield - Two walk audits along the main entry point into town will identify pedestrian safety concerns and possible solutions. The town will recruit older adults to take part and share their experiences using the corridor.
  
• Lifelong Richmond - This project will install benches along Main Street where residents conduct errands, such as grocery shopping and banking. Several housing complexes for older adults and people with disabilities are nearby, yet currently there are no benches in the area.
  
• Age-Friendly Saco - Experts will teach older adults how to make their homes safer and more comfortable through comprehensive training sessions, including best practices for home modifications such as adding grab bars, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and other assistive devices.
  
• Project GRACE - This project will provide older adults in Scarborough with supplies for simple DIY projects to make their homes less drafty and more energy efficient. The organization will also train "handy" older adults to help fellow homeowners make modifications.
  
• Town of Skowhegan - This project will install directional signage and replace a deteriorated chain-link fence flanking an access trail, keeping walkers safely away from a steep river embankment. The town will also clear overgrown brush, plant flowers and install benches to create a pocket park.
  
• Age-Friendly South Portland - This project will promote emergency preparedness, focusing on the needs of older adults. Displays at community events and workshops will teach residents how to make an evacuation plan and kit.
  
• Surry Neighbors Helping Neighbors - This project will create a notice board to display local town and emergency information at the local post office, a regular meeting space. This will specifically benefit older residents who are unable to access information online.
  
• Town of Vassalboro - Raised garden beds with benches will be added outside Vassalboro’s municipal office. The new community garden will serve as an outdoor classroom and gathering space and will allow residents to grow healthy food.
  
• Washburn Memorial Library - Two training sessions will teach older adult residents how to make their homes safer and more functional. The library will also create a display demonstrating home modification techniques and products.
  
• Age-Friendly Windham - This project will recruit, train, and provide incentives to volunteer drivers to support a new on-demand ride service. Transportation options are currently limited for residents who cannot drive or don't have a car to get to medical appointments -- or anywhere else.

This year, AARP awarded three different grant opportunities, including flagship grants, capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability, bikeability and accessible home modifications, and demonstration grants that focus on equitable engagement to reconnect communities, housing choice design competitions and improving digital connections to endure disasters.

With funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is increasing its investment in pedestrian safety projects that will improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian infrastructure, engage community members and much more. AARP is also bolstering its investment in community resilience, rural communities, and addressing disparities.

“Whether it’s helping people access high-speed internet or protecting public transit riders from rain and snow, small community projects can have a big impact on people of all ages,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “AARP Community Challenge grantees make our commitment to creating better places to live a reality through quick, innovative solutions.”

The grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages, with an emphasis on people ages 50 and older. Since 2017, AARP Maine has awarded 71 grants and $472,438 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

AARP Community Challenge grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. True to the program’s quick-action nature, projects must be completed by December 15, 2024.

View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.