PORTLAND — AARP announced Wednesday, June 18, ten organizations throughout Maine will receive 2025 Community Challenge grants. The grants are part of AARP’s $4.2 million commitment to fund 383 quick-action projects aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older adults. The funds will support efforts to improve public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and other key areas.
Now in its ninth year, the Challenge has awarded $546,863 through 81 grants in Maine since 2017 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.
“AARP Maine is committed to working with local leaders, advocates and policymakers to make our communities better places to live for Mainers of all ages, especially those 50 and older,” said Noël Bonam, AARP Maine State Director. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements to address long-standing and emerging challenges across our communities.”
The following are the 2025 grantees in Maine:
- Age Friendly Communities of the Lower Kennebec (Arrowsic) This project will conduct six listening sessions to understand disaster preparedness needs in the region. Older adults from six communities will share disaster stories, evaluate a sample preparedness kit, and receive training. This will help create and distribute kits tailored to community needs.
- Age-Friendly Sullivan: Age-Friendly Sullivan will upgrade the Community Gazebo in Sumner Park with new electrical outlets, structural repairs, and a new roof. The project aims to enhance the gazebo for public events and celebrations, focusing on the needs of residents age 50-plus.
- AIA Maine (Portland): AIA Maine will host a design competition to explore innovative housing solutions for underserved communities. The event will include educational sessions on accessibility, aging in place, and lessons learned from the competition.
- Central Hall Commons (Dover-Foxcroft): This project will conduct five walk audits in downtown Dover-Foxcroft to identify locations for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements. Older volunteers from the community center will participate. Two community meetings will be held to discuss the audit results with residents and business owners.
- Down East Family YMCA – Blue Hill Branch: The Tech Cafe will offer digital skills training and internet safety workshops for people age 50-plus. Participants will receive hands-on instruction, access to devices, and personalized support to build confidence in using technology.
- Loon Echo Land Trust (Casco): Loon Echo Land Trust will upgrade the Mayberry Hill Preserve trail to make it accessible for older adults, young people, and families. The new 0.6-mile loop trail will feature ADA-compliant benches and a crushed gravel surface, enhancing outdoor recreation and community health.
- Town of Cumberland: Active Living 55+: The project will provide two fat tire tricycles for older adults to use on Town Forest trails. These tricycles will offer a safe and inclusive way to enjoy outdoor activities, with staff support and mandatory safety talks.
- Town of Danforth’s Livable Communities: This project will enhance home assessments with safety modifications for residents age 65-plus living alone or with low income. Four educational meetings will be held in a tri-county rural region to show older adults and their families how to make homes safer, focusing on fall and injury prevention.
- Town of Yarmouth: Yarmouth will test speed tables and crosswalk enhancements on five main corridors to slow drivers from high-speed rural roads. The project aims to improve safety for walkers and bikers by creating gateways into the village with better visibility and traffic calming measures.
- Wilhelm Reich Museum (Rangeley): The Wilhelm Reich Museum will replace 200 feet of old bog bridging with new double-width cedar planks, add a resting bench at Quimby Brook, and install a picnic table in a trail meadow. These upgrades aim to make the trails safer and more accessible for older adults.
“AARP Community Challenge projects may be quick to launch, but their impact is long-lasting,” said Nancy A. LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “We’re proud to support communities nationwide to advance solutions that make neighborhoods and towns of all sizes better places to live where everyone can thrive. And this year, we’re particularly proud to invest in projects benefitting often overlooked rural areas.”
View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge