2024 Challenge Grants

AARP Challenge Grant Winners for 2024!

Congratulations to the hard-working people in these communities – the people that made these grants happen!

AARP has invested almost $85,000 in Maine communities through the 2024 Community Challenge Grant! Fourteen communities and organizations throughout Maine will tackle quick-action projects that address critical areas such as public spaces, transportation, housing, accessibility, and social isolation. While these projects prioritize the needs of older people, they benefit community members of all ages. 

Two Age-Friendly communities issued press releases about how the funding will support their programs. 

Age-Friendly Windham will expand its transportation pilot, AFWRides. The timing is perfect. AFWRides reached their100th ride milestone! This financial boost will help recruit more volunteers, enhancing the program's reach and effectiveness at a time when there is growing community support for the program.

Hallowell All Age Friendly, in partnership with Vision Hallowell, will enhance Granite City Park with an ADA-compliant picnic table and a bike rack for Kennebec Rail Trail cyclists. An October event will highlight the project and the successful collaboration between volunteers and city crews over recent years. We love this example of leveraging the Challenge Grant to celebrate successful partnerships! 

Read on for the full list of AARP Challenge Grant winners.

• 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• Vision Hallowell - This project will increase accessibility in a local park by adding a smooth path and replacing outdated picnic tables.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.