AARP recently announced that 13 organizations throughout Connecticut will receive 2026 Community Challenge grants. Marking the program’s 10th anniversary, the grants are part of an $8.3 million commitment by AARP, doubling last year’s total, to fund 750 quick-action projects nationwide aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults. The funds will support improvements to public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, disaster preparedness, and other local priorities that help improve social connections and strengthen neighborhoods and towns of all sizes.

Here in Connecticut, we know our population is aging, and most older adults want to remain in the communities they know and love. Through initiatives like the AARP Community Challenge, we’re helping turn local ideas into real improvements - from safer streets and better transportation options to public spaces that strengthen community connections. As the program continues to grow, we’re proud to support more Connecticut communities in becoming great places to live for people of all ages.

Since 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has awarded $434,450 through 45 grants in Connecticut to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across the state. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Projects across Connecticut reflect growing demand for practical, local solutions that help residents stay connected, safe and independent, including:

• Advocacy to Legacy, Inc. will conduct community bike audits at high-risk Hartford locations. To highlight safety concerns and guide updates that strengthen bike infrastructure and safer riding conditions.
• The City of Meriden Health & Human Services Department will teach older adults how to plan for local emergencies with participants receiving bilingual resources and basic emergency supplies.
• East Windsor Senior Services will install an accessible picnic table at the Senior Center.
• Fairgate Farm in Norwalk will upgrade key walkways and work areas across the Farm.
• Farmington Land Trust will replace an aging fishing pier with a new accessible boardwalk and viewing platform.
• First Congregational Church of West Haven will reconstruct an exterior ramp to the meal site that meets ADA compliancy standards.
• Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust in Woodbury will upgrade a heavily used dirt walkway with gravel, lighting and benches.
• Historic Bacon Academy in Colchester will construst an ADA compliant entrance ramp at the civic building that will restore public access for people of all mobility levels.
• Quinnipiac University will host mutliple walking audits in New Haven to identify accessible loop routes around an apartment complex for older adults.
• The Town of Monroe will expand outreach and training to strengthen participation in a local home safety program.
• Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford will develop community-informed housing designs through a partnership with local residents with the designs helping to guide future age-friendly and intergenerational housing.
• The Town of Sherman will install assistive audio system in town meeting spaces.
• The Town of Simsbury will install portable ADA-compliant pathway mats at parks, trails and outdoor venues.

View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge. Learn more about AARP’s work to support livable communities at aarp.org/livable.