AARP Hawai‘i accepting applications for 2026 Community Challenge grants

AARP Hawai‘i invites eligible local nonprofit organizations and governments to apply for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grant Program.

AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections and more.

The grant program — now in its 9th year — 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 all residents, especially those age 50 years old and older.

Last year’s grants included:

• $15,000 to Kauaʻi Senior Citizens Softball Association to improve softball fields used by kupuna and keiki.
• $15,000 to Grow Some Good in Kahului, Maui, to plant fruit trees and native Hawaiian plants to create a shaded area for kūpuna and promote sustainable farming and having enough food.
• $15,000 to Maui Academy of Performing Arts to create an accessible gathering space with new chairs and tables for people of all ages in Wailuku.
• $10,000 to U.S. Vets Career Center for new computers and equipment to open a satellite office in Waiʻanae, Oʻahu.

“If you have an idea to make your neighborhood a better place to live, we invite you to apply for a Community Challenge grant,” said AARP Hawaiʻi State Director Kealiʻi Lopez in announcing this year’s grant opportunity. “Projects can be about preparing kūpuna and others to better survive disasters, training people to use the internet to improve their lives, making streets safer for pedestrians, creating and beautifying places where people can gather and more.”

Applications in three different grant opportunity areas are being accepted this year:

• Capacity-building microgrants are paired with additional resources, such as one-on-one coaching from national nonprofit organizations, webinars, cohort learning opportunities and more for improving walkability; bikeability; implementation of safe, accessible home modifications; and disaster preparedness training.
• Demonstration grants fund projects that encourage replication of exemplary local efforts. This year’s focus is on improving pedestrian safety with funding support from Toyota Motor North America, expanding high-speed internet access and adoption with funding support from Microsoft, reconnecting communities divided by infrastructure and implementing housing choice design competitions.
• Flagship grants support projects that improve public places, transportation, housing, digital connections and community resilience.

All projects must be consistent with AARP’s mission to serve the needs of people 50 years old and older along with other eligibility criteria.

“AARP is committed to creating communities where people of all ages and abilities can thrive,” said AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond in the announcement. “The Community Challenge helps cities, towns and counties get things started with small improvements that can kick-start meaningful changes that improve people’s lives and strengthens the places they call home.”

The Community Challenge is open to eligible nonprofits and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to tens of thousands for larger projects.

Visit the AARP website to apply and view past grantees.

Application deadline is noon March 4. All projects must be completed by Dec. 15.

More information will be available during a webinar at 9 a.m. Jan. 27. Register for the webinar here.

The webinar also will be recorded and available to access after the event.

AARP has invested $24.3 million toward 2,100 projects — including 31 projects in Hawaiʻi, totaling $413,836 — to nonprofit organizations and government entities throughout all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands since 2017 through the Community Challenge.

AARP Hawaiʻi works in collaboration with communities throughout the state, bringing people together and providing resources and expertise to help make Hawaiʻi’s counties, towns and cities great places to live for people of all ages.