Meet Maryland's 2024 Community Challenge Grantees!

AARP is Investing $54,569 in Five Maryland Communities as Part of Nationwide Grant Program

Five Communities Across Maryland Are Getting a Boost in Their Work To Become More Livable For Residents Of All Ages

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.

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 Maryland is incredibly proud to have five 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 Maryland these exciting projects were funded:

· Empowering the Ages of Gaithersburg is receiving $8,899 to support CyberMasters, a program to provide older adults with individualized technology supported by high school students, teaching the adults skills to communicate with family members and medical providers, as well as access useful resources.

· Holy Cross Germantown Hospital is receiving $9,970 for its Community Garden, which provides an accessible space for residents to come together and share the benefits of growing food and strengthening the local food system.

· The City of Frederick is being awarded $15,000 to support the Surface Challenge Project, creating a safe park space for older adults to enhance their mobility, reduce fall risks, and foster an active, engaged and resilient aging community.

· HarvestShare Maryland in Potomac will use its $1,700 grant to raise fresh produce for people in need. It will also make it easier for seniors with varying physical abilities to participate as volunteers in the grow-to-donate garden.

· In Baltimore, Open Works will use its $19,000 grant for a project to provide free wi-fi and solar powered charging stations at a 30-acre campus in Northeast Baltimore that is home to 450 seniors.

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 Maryland 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.

###