AARP Nebraska Awards Multiple Grants as Part of Nationwide Program to Make Communities More Livable

AARP Nebraska is pleased to announce Phelps County Community Foundation and three Omaha-based organizations—the City of Omaha, Omaha by Design, and Conservation Nebraska—will be awarded funding through AARP’s 2024 Community Challenge grant. The grant program is 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 Nebraska is committed to working with local leaders, advocates and policymakers to make our communities better places to live for Nebraskans of all ages, especially those 50 and older,” said Todd Stubbendieck, State Director for AARP Nebraska. “We’re proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements to address long-standing and emerging challenges across our communities.”

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.

Grant projects funded include the following:

• The Phelps County Community Foundation will be awarded $15,000 under the category of "Flagship Grant - Public Places." Their Midtown Sculpture Garden in Holdrege, Nebraska, will be an accessible, inclusive space where community members of all ages can gather and enjoy art, the beauty of the outdoors, music and friends.
  
• The City of Omaha will be awarded $22,249 under the category of “Flagship Grant – Transportation” with funding support provided in part by Toyota Motor North America. Their project creates a safer crossing near two busy bus stops in a diverse urban community. It will immediately enhance accessibility, encourage walking, and support a pedestrian-friendly community—especially for residents age 50 and older.
  
• Omaha by Design will be awarded $23,500 under the category of “Demonstration Grant – Housing Choice Design Competitions.” This project will create a design competition for innovative and accessible duplex designs to serve as models for Missing Middle Housing that can provide affordability while serving the increasing number of residents over the age of 50.
  
• Conservation Nebraska will be awarded $6,716 under the category of “Flagship Grant - Public Places.” Their project will install planter boxes and accessible benches at two locations. Volunteers and the community will work together to install and maintain these gardens.

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 Nebraska has awarded 29 grants and $366,086 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

With funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the AARP Community Challenge Grant 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.

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.