AARP Community Challenge Grant Opportunity

[Cary Tyson]

Hi folks, 

Relative to the ongoing safety conversation, please see below for a potential opportunity. If anyone/group is interested in partnering on this, Portland Downtown is open to that discussion. I have a few ideas in particular, one of which is inspired by a colleague in this group :) Obviously, we have a geographic restriction, which is why a partnership with another group(s) could prove most impactful.  And, of course, there'd be a number of hurdles to jump, but I feel sure this is something that can be overcome.  

Best,

Cary

--

Cary Tyson, LPM

Executive Director

Portland Downtown

Office: 87 Center Street, Portland, ME 04101

Mail: PO Box 8593, Portland, ME 04104
207.772.6828 

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Portland Downtown stimulates a thriving, vibrant, and sustainable downtown community. To learn more, click here.

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Hello~

It was exciting to see you during the December Lifelong Maine Learn and Share Call!

This email includes:

• Summary of our call, Unlocking the AARP Community Challenge Grant
• Upcoming Peer Learning and Networking
• January 21 - Rev Up and Go - Starting and Sustaining Volunteer Transportation
• February 18 - Lifelong Maine Resource Connect Call

December Lifelong Maine Learn and Share Call
Thank you to those who joined us for  Unlocking the AARP Community Challenge Grant.  

• Click here to watch a recording of Unlocking the AARP Community Challenge Grant, About the Community Challenge Grant. Presentation handout is attached. 
  
• Click here to watch a recording of Unlocking the AARP Community Challenge Grant, Capacity Building Micro-Grant, Home Fit Guide
• Click here to watch a recording of Unlocking the AARP Community Challenge Grant, Demonstration Grant, Home Design Competition
• Click here to view a folder with all of our archived materials, including the presenter handout and recordings, including two Flagship examples; one from South Portland and one from Hallowell. 

This was our line-up, with contact information and a few notes from the AI note-taker:

   About the 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grant

• AARP Livable is doubling their investment in the AARP Community Challenge Grant this year--from 4M to 8M. The goal is to double the number of grants given, not to increase the size of grants.
• Three types of grants:
• Capacity Building Micro-Grants
• Set amount - $2500
  
• Work by each grantee includes a focus on one of these AARP publications - Walk Audits, Bike Audits, Home Fit Guide, Disaster Preparedness
  
• Flagship Grants
  
• Up to $15,000
• Can be used for permanent change or temporary demonstrations in the built environment or new and innovative programming
• Focus areas - Public places and spaces, transportation, housing, digital connection, and disaster resilience. 
• Demonstration Grants
  
• Up to $25,000
• Highly competitive category
  
• Focus on pedestrian safety, high speed internet, housing design competitions
• Applications Open: January 07
• Applications Due: March 4, 5:00pm
• Grant Winners Notified: Mid-May
• Public Announcement of Winners: End of June
• Project Start Date: After Public Announcement
• Project completion: December 15
• After Action Report due: December 31
• All the details will be posted on the AARP LIvable website on January 07 -  https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/community-challenge/
• January 14, 2024 from 03:00 PM to 04:00 PM (ET)  AARP Network of Age-Friendly States member-only webinar on the Challenge grants.  Register Here: https://events.aarp.org/R70ZW7 

Capacity Building Micro-Grant, Tara Mozdziez (tara.m...@maine.edu)

• Tara Mozdziez presented on how Danforth Livable Communities used an AARP Challenge Grant to supplement an existing home safety project
• The project provided free home inspections for homeowners 65+ who live alone or have low-to-moderate income
• AARP funding allowed them to purchase safety items like grab bars, non-slip backings, and motion-sensor lighting
• The team conducted three community presentations on home safety in partnership with the local fire department. Community presentations were most successful when they included a meal
• Presentations included emergency services--Fire and EMS. Each participant left with a Home Fit Guide and a File of Life. The Community Connector was also available to connect people with other resources.
• The community presentations were structured by a PPT -- Tara is willing to share the PPT presentation and any other information about the project--email her, tara. mozd...@maine.edu

 Demonstration Grant, Housing Design Competition, Jill Johanning (jjoha...@alphaonenow.org)

• Jill partnered with AIA Maine (American Institute of Architects) to run an open ideas competition for housing solutions. The project aimed to start conversations about housing solutions in Maine communities; it generated innovative housing solutions that address affordability and aging in place
• AIA worked with Jill to assemble a jury including representatives from AARP Maine and local government
• The competition received 17 entries (10 professional, 5 public, 2 students)
• Common themes included multi-generational living, modular design, and rightsizing
• All entries will be displayed on the AIA website (https://aiamaine.org/aia-maine-events/2024designawardscelebration-a2grf) and exhibited at the Osher Library in Lewiston
• Resource - Bangor Pre-Approved Architectural Plans
  
• Resource - Bowdoinham Universal Design Guide
• Resource - Examples of Affordable, Accessible Approaches to Multi-Family Housing (including the Lewiston Project that Jill referenced)
  

Upcoming Learning and Networking Opportunities:  

• January 21, 9-10 - Lifelong Maine Learn and Share Call, Rev Up and Go - Starting and Sustaining Volunteer Transportation
  Zoom link -  https://bit.ly/LFMeCLC
  Join us to hear hints and tips for starting and sustaining a volunteer transportation program in your community. This session will feature a presentation from Age-Friendly Communities of the Lower Kennebec, sharing their firsthand experience as a relatively new program navigating the challenges and opportunities of getting started.
  
  We will discuss practical strategies for recruiting and retaining dedicated volunteers, developing effective training programs, and understanding the critical insurance and liability considerations that protect both your age-friendly initiative and volunteers. Whether you're considering launching a new program or looking to strengthen an existing one, this meeting will provide valuable insights and answer your questions about building a transportation system that serves your community's needs.
  
  
• February 18, 9-10 - Lifelong Maine Resource Connect Call
  We will hear from statewide programs that can help people in your community enjoy the best possible health and well-being. Stay tuned for a list of presenters. 
  
  
• The connection information for all of our calls is the same:
  Zoom link -  https://bit.ly/LFMeCLC
  To dial in, call  1 646 876 9923. Meeting ID: 851 6287 9506 Password: 103086

To help you connect with anyone you saw on the call, we have also attached our most updated directory.

If you have any questions about our call or have trouble accessing the materials, please email Patricia Oh, patri...@maine.edu

Have a peaceful rest of your week and a lovely end of December! We are looking forward to seeing you in 2026!

Kindly,

Patricia Oh, PhD, MSW

University of Maine Center on Aging
Ass Director, Community Engaged Research

Coordinator, Lifelong Maine

Co-Director, Consortium for Aging Policy Research & Analysis

Email: patri...@maine.edu

Tel.: 207-581-2066 (office) | Text: 207-837-5883 (cell)  

Website: Lifelong Maine  

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