BISMARCK, N.D. (AARP) – Community Challenge grants totaling $67,390 – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.6 million awarded among 310 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and older.
“AARP North Dakota is committed to working with local leaders to improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes,” said State Director, Josh Askvig. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements in their communities to jumpstart long-term change, especially for North Dakotas 50 and over.”
The North Dakota projects funded include:
- Munich Area Development Corporation received $12,300 to help the town’s local nonprofit grocery store, which provides fresh, affordable food to local residents, transition to self-service operations. This will enable individuals within the community to access groceries at almost any time.
- City of Forman received $2,500 to move an existing community garden to a more accessible location. The relocation will co-locate the garden with recently planted fruit trees and expand the garden to offer more beds for people interested in growing their own food.
- Grand Forks University Park Neighborhoods will leverage its $14,000 grant to match students with up with older residents. The students will help with chores such as yard cleanup, window washing and simple home repairs, while the older residents mentor the students in home repair and upkeep, billpaying, navigating relationships with landlords and other practical life skills.
- Grand Forks Downtown Development Association will use its $22,000 grant to add e-bikes and adaptive bikes to the Grand Rides Bike Share program to encourage ridership among people aged 50+.
- Glen Ullin Park District received $2,868 to install permanent cornhole boards in outdoor public spaces, which will give residents of all ages a place to enjoy the popular game.
- City of Milnor will use its $13,722 grant to install adult exercise equipment in a local playground to create an intergenerational space that offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages and capabilities.
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 November 30, 2023.
This year, the AARP Community Challenge accepted applications across three different grant opportunities, including existing flagship grants in addition to new capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability and community gardens. New demonstration grants will focus on improving transportation systems, with funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, and housing choice design competitions.
AARP is also bolstering its investment in rural communities, mobility innovation, transportation options, and health and food access.
“These grants continue to lead to long-term, positive changes in communities across the country,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “This year, we are proud to support the largest number of projects in the program’s seven-year history, which will improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes so everyone can thrive as they age.”
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, especially those age 50 and older. Since 2017, AARP North Dakota has awarded 25 grants and $214,486 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.
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.