Community Connections Mini-Grant

INTRODUCTION

Community Connections grants are for small projects to increase the impact of Lifelong Maine’s Age-Friendly Communities. All projects that are in line with the broad goals of the Governor's Cabinet on Aging are eligible.

Although we have not established a maximum, we expect the average request to be around $10,000 with a maximum of $25,000. We know that many communities need a little funding to make big change. Applications for small projects are welcome.

Note: Community Connector pilot sites ARE eligible to apply for grants.

SUPPORTING MAINE'S AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

Making our communities more age-inclusive requires a combination of system change and community-driven local solutions. Too often, the focus is on systems improvements, rather than supporting and encouraging residents to develop programs, services, and activities built on community strengths and needs. The goal of this funding opportunity is to support grassroots age-friendly initiatives to implement changes that help residents thrive, regardless of how they are experiencing aging.

Quick action projects can spark long-term change. Maine communities have benefitted from the AARP Community Challenge Grant and Dementia Inclusion Quick-Action Grants. In both cases, community-driven funding requests have built momentum for change by:

• Communicating the impact of tangible changes on all ages in the community

• Securing additional funding and in-kind supports from the public and private sector

• Engaging volunteers to see their role in age-friendly

• Attracting new partners to support the age-friendly mission and deepening existing collaborations

• Advancing policy change for long-term community impact

GRANT OPPORTUNITY AREAS

Funding can be used to launch a new program or activity or expand the scope and reach of work you are already doing. Examples may include initiatives in any of the eight domains of livability, including:

• Programs, services, or activities that address areas of focus identified in your age-friendly assessment or action plan

• Multi-generational initiatives that bring people of different ages together for mutual benefit

• Community awareness campaigns that increase the visibility of older residents

• Permanent physical improvements in the community

• Temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term change in the built environment

• New, innovative approaches to engage people in social opportunities

• One-time purchases for operational support of age-friendly (e.g., computer lap-top or other device, software, hiring a consultant to help with branding or marketing)

GRANT CRITERIA

Eligibility Considerations

• Age-Friendly communities are geographically defined place that adapt services, programs, and infrastructure to be more inclusive of the varied needs of its population to improve quality of life as we age. Age-Friendly communities encourage healthy aging by optimizing resources to improve the health, safety, and inclusion of older people. Some communities structure their age-friendly initiative by joining the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Others take a similar all-of-community approach but do not join the network. Membership in the network does not make a community age-friendly, the dedication of the municipality, organizations, groups, and residents to developing age-inclusive policy and services does. Wondering if you are an age-friendly community? Click here to take our quiz or email lifelong@maine.edu and we will answer any questions you have. 

• Eligible age-friendly initiatives must be either a 501c3 (or other non-profit recognized by the IRS), municipal government, or partner with a fiduciary agent (e.g., a library or other local non-profit). Funds cannot be given to for-profit organizations or individuals.

• Age-friendly communities should have the capacity to complete the proposed project. Examples include a core team that coordinates your initiative, action plan in line with your funding request, support from a local organization or your municipality to implement change. Please note - with the exception of planning applications, the Community Connections grant is unlikely to fund ongoing staff expenses or overhead. If you are including staff expenses in your application, please explain how your age-friendly team will continue to support those expenses after the grant funds are used. 

• If you are working with a partner organization, confirm that they support your proposal. For example, if you want to install raised bed gardens on school property, confirm that the school is willing for you to do that.

Ineligible Projects

• Partisan, political, or election-related activities

• Planning activities, including surveys, that are not community-driven

• Acquisition of land or a building

• Purchase of a vehicle

• Sponsorships of another organization’s activities or events

• Use of funds as "matching funds" for another grant opportunity. Proposed projects may be part of a larger project but must be independently definable. For example, 

• Promotion of a for-profit organization or its products/services

Judges. At least three judges from the following will review each application:

• Lifelong Maine director or program manager

• Age-Friendly community representative

• The AAA that serves the community applying for the grant

• The Governor’s Cabinet on Aging

Scoring. Eligibility will be judged on the following:

• IMPACT (60 points) – The project addresses a clear need that brings positive change and demonstrates the ability to overcome barriers and accelerate, grow and/or sustain the age-friendly initiative.

• EXECUTION (30 points) – Applicants demonstrate capacity to deliver the project on time and within the requested budget, effectively engage residents and key partners, and include older volunteers in planning and implementation.

• INNOVATION (10 points) – The project demonstrates creativity or unique design or engagement elements which will contribute to its impact on older residents.

Timeline

• Applications to the AARP Challenge Grant are open between January 08, 2025 and March 05, 2025. Applications must be submitted online

• Applicants will receive notification of approval or denial of funding by Wednesday, May 30. If we have questions, one of the judges will reach out by phone or email to request clarification.

• Grants will be distributed to funded communities in June.

• Projects completion deadline - December 15, 2025.

• Final grant report submitted to Lifelong Maine by December 31, 2025.

Ready to Apply?