External Announcement AARP Community Challenge Grants to make communities livable for people of all ages

Introduction to AARP’s Livable Communities As our aging demographics change the country, AARP works with local leaders to help them improve their communities so residents can get the most out of the place they live no matter their age. Ultimately, our vision is for a future in which U.S. communities – urban, suburban and rural –are great communities for ALL. AARP staff and volunteers across the country are working with local leaders and collaborating organizations in communities to improve communities’ built environment and social life, enhancing the quality of life for all people of all ages. AARP’s most comprehensive program to make this vision a reality is the AARP Network of Age Friendly Communities (NAFC). As of May 2017, the network includes more than 170 communities which cover almost than 65 million residents. To help support communities and create change in both NAFC and non-NAFC communities, AARP plays several key roles on the ground, including:  Advocating on important issues  Engaging citizens  Providing resources and expertise  Serving as a catalyst and convener We know that great communities take a long time to build and sustain. But, we also believe “quick actions” can be the critical spark for longer-term progress. Therefore, AARP is spearheading this Community Challenge to fund projects that can help build momentum.

AARP Community Challenge AARP is spearheading this Community Challenge to fund projects structured as “actions to demonstrate community change” and help build momentum in communities to improve livability for all residents. We are currently soliciting applications for project funding. Applications are due June 30, 2017 and all projects must be completed by November 1, 2017. (See Attachment A for sample application outline; all applications must be submitted through AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. 1 Learn More: AARP.org/CommunityChallenge Questions? Email [email protected]

Eligibility The program is open to the following types of organizations located in the project community:  

501(C)(3) and 501(C)(4) Non-profits Government entities

The following projects are NOT eligible for funding:        

Partisan, political or election related activities Studies with no follow-up action Publication of books or reports The acquisition of land and/or buildings Research and development for a for-profit endeavor Sponsorships of other organizations’ events or activities Planning and related support The promotion of a for-profit entity and/or its products and services

Grant Amount The total Challenge pool is approximately $500,000 for about 50 projects. If your idea is big, no project is too small! We may grant any amount; projects might range from a small, short-term activity that costs hundreds to a more sizable project requiring thousands of dollars.

Does your project have to impact a Network of Age Friendly Communities (NAFC) to apply? No, projects that impact any community and satisfy all other criteria are eligible for consideration.

2017 Challenge Timeline June 30: August 3: August 10: August 23: Nov. 1: Nov. 13-17: Dec. 1:

Application deadline AARP sends Letters of Agreement to grantees Deadline for all Letters of Agreement to be returned to AARP Grantees announced Projects completed Select projects profiled at National Livable Communities Conference After-action report deadline. See Attachment B.

How does a group/organization apply? All applications must be submitted through AARP.org/CommunityChallenge by June 30, 2017, 11:59 pm ET.

What types of projects are acceptable? Projects need to deliver on one or all of the following drivers for change. See Attachment C for specific examples from AARP’s book, Where We Live. While almost all of these examples are part of a much

2 Learn More: AARP.org/CommunityChallenge Questions? Email [email protected]

longer term community process, there are elements of each project that could fall under the timelines and requirements of this challenge. Thus, they have been offered as thought starters. 

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Improve a community’s built environment to benefit all ages and ability levels (and connect to the social environment). Can include but are not limited to projects such as: o Helping to construct shelters and way-finding stations o Transforming vacant or underutilized public spaces o Creating intergenerational playgrounds o Installing traffic calming measures, like circles, street trees, crosswalk enhancements, etc. o Supporting volunteer driving programs o Projects to improve housing that supports people to age in place o Pop-up projects to highlight positive changes that communities can make to roadways (temporary or permanent bike lanes, roundabouts, etc.) and expand transportation options Expand opportunities for ALL residents (e.g., jobs, volunteerism, education, and training) o Leveraging the skills and passions of community residents with volunteer program(s) o Helping residents of all ages by holding training and employment events. Drive community engagement and interaction across diverse community residents (e.g., culture/art, local communication, public space/place-making, sports, education, well-being / healthy living, etc.) o Building and developing communication platforms to promote livable communities and age friendly work o Hosting activities to encourage healthy eating and exercise o Holding Open Streets programs and festivals to encourage people to walk and bike through the community o Building efforts to reach and collect input from citizens in creative ways o Leveraging Pop Up/tactical urbanism demonstrations to create parklets, etc. o Hosting intergenerational activities

For the November 1 deadline, the activity defined in the proposal will have to have been held, built or fully implemented. Grant Selection Grant recipients will be selected by an AARP panel of experts in aging issues, community development, and livable communities. In general, the projects will be judged on the degree to which their goals make an immediate change that leads to longer-term impact. THRESHOLD CRITERIA (must meet the following criteria to be considered):    

All items in the grant application have been addressed or noted if not applicable. The grant will not be used for partisan, political or election related activities, or property acquisition. The grant will not be used to promote a for-profit or its products and/or services The grant is for one of the listed “qualified uses” in the “Project Development Support Program” section of the application. 3 Learn More: AARP.org/CommunityChallenge Questions? Email [email protected]

More specifically, the projects will be assessed on: a) IMPACT (60 points) – address a clear community need through the challenge project that brings positive benefit to the community and its residents. The project also demonstrates the ability to accelerate, grow and/or sustain the community’s livability for all. b) INNOVATION (10 points) – the creativity, aesthetic beauty and potential to spark additional community change. c) EXECUTION (30 points) – the ability to deliver the community challenge project on time and within awarded budget. All selections are subject to a final review based on: project ranking; geographic and project diversity; and budget allowance.

Proposal Requirements  

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements. Applicants must be submitted through AARP.org/CommunityChallenge with all pertinent information. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

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Notification Grant recipients will be notified by email. Grantees must execute and return a binding Letter of Agreement to AARP within seven (7) days of notification. Noncompliance with this time period may result in disqualification. By submitting an application to AARP, the applicant agrees that:    

The decisions of AARP regarding the eligibility of participants and the validity of entries shall be final and binding. All submissions will be judged by AARP whose decisions and determinations as to the administration of the award and selection of award recipients are final. AARP has the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, or suspend the award. All projects and applications shall not violate any third-party rights. Except where prohibited by law, participation in the award constitutes the Applicant’s consent to AARP’s use of the organization’s name and corporate logo, street address, city, state, zip code, county, and names, likenesses, photographs, videos, images, and statements made or provided by the Applicant’s representatives regarding the award for promotional purposes in any media without further permission, consent, payment or other consideration

AARP and its affiliated organizations, subsidiaries, agents and employees are not responsible for late, lost, illegible, incomplete, stolen, misdirected, illegitimate, or impermissible submissions or any other error whether human, mechanical or electronic. Please email questions to [email protected].

4 Learn More: AARP.org/CommunityChallenge Questions? Email [email protected]