AARP South Dakota Accepting 2025 Community Challenge Grant Applications

Do you have an idea to make your community an even better place to live? Now's your chance to make it happen!

The 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grant program is now open, and eligible organizations and governments across the state are encouraged to apply before March 5.

AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connections and more.

Now in its ninth year, the 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 all residents.

“The Community Challenge is a critical part of how AARP South Dakota works with local residents, advocates and policymakers to make our communities better places to live for people of all ages,” said Erik Gaikowski, AARP South Dakota State Director. “The Community Challenge program has proven that quick-action projects can lead to long-term change, especially for South Dakotans 50 and over.”

The AARP Community Challenge program is accepting applications across three different grant opportunities. All projects must be consistent with AARP’s mission to serve the needs of people 50 and older, along with other eligibility criteria.

• Capacity-building microgrants are paired with additional resources, such as one-on-one coaching from national nonprofit organizations, webinars, cohort learning opportunities and more for improving walkability, bikeability; implementing safe, accessible home modifications; and disaster preparedness training.
  
• Demonstration grants fund projects that encourage replication of exemplary local efforts. This year’s focus is on improving pedestrian safety with funding support from Toyota Motor North America; expanding high-speed internet access and adoption with funding support from Microsoft; reconnecting communities divided by infrastructure; and implementing housing choice design competitions.
  
• Flagship grants support projects that improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and community resilience.

“AARP is committed to creating communities where people of all ages and abilities can thrive,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “The Community Challenge helps cities, towns and counties get things started with small improvements that can kick-start meaningful changes that improve people’s lives and strengthens the places they call home.”

Since 2017, AARP has awarded more than $20.1 million toward 1,700 projects by nonprofit organizations and government entities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands – including more than $317,000 through 33 projects in South Dakota communities. The program provides direct support to all community types, including rural, suburban and urban communities with a special focus on the needs of those 50 and older.

AARP South Dakota works in collaboration with communities across the state, bringing people together and providing resources and expertise to help make South Dakota an even better place to live for people of all ages. Past community challenge grants across the state have supported safe walking and biking trails, park improvement projects, community gardens and more.

The Community Challenge is open to eligible 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to thousands for larger projects.

The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. Eastern, March 5, 2025 (4:00 p.m. Central/3:00 p.m. Mountain). All projects must be completed by December 15, 2025. To apply and view past grantees, visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge.