Michigan Age-Friendly Communities Grant Program

AARP Michigan administers the Michigan Age-Friendly Communities Grant Program to support initiatives that improve the livability of communities for residents aged 50 and older. The program reflects AARP Michigan’s broader mission of creating communities that better support residents across all life stages by improving social, physical, and civic environments. The grant opportunity is designed to help local communities implement practical projects that address aging-related challenges while creating benefits that extend to residents of all ages. The initiative emphasizes resilience, accessibility, social inclusion, and quality of life improvements within Michigan communities. Funding is intended to encourage local action that aligns with AARP’s framework for age-friendly communities and the Eight Domains of Livability. The grant program will award up to five grants of up to $10,000 each to eligible organizations and entities throughout Michigan. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations classified under sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6), government entities, tribal entities, and ad hoc community groups that operate with a nonprofit fiscal agent. For-profit entities are explicitly excluded from eligibility. AARP Michigan states that awarded funds may support either a portion of an existing project or the full implementation of a proposed initiative. Funded projects must directly enhance community livability for older adults and should demonstrate measurable local impact. Grant recipients are expected to complete projects within 180 days of the grant award announcement and submit final reports by February 28, 2027. Priority consideration is given to projects that align with one or more of AARP’s Eight Domains of Livability. These domains include outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, work and civic engagement, communication and information, and community and health services. Eligible projects may involve improvements to accessibility, transportation access, affordable housing options, wellness programming, digital inclusion efforts, civic participation opportunities, or other activities that increase community engagement and support healthy aging. The grant program specifically prioritizes projects that improve both the built environment and the social environment of communities. Applications that demonstrate strong community collaboration, volunteer engagement, and resident participation are viewed favorably during review. The application cycle for the current round opens on May 15, 2026, and applications are due on July 15, 2026. Award announcements are anticipated by August 31, 2026. Projects are expected to begin promptly after funds are distributed and conclude prior to the grant reporting deadline. AARP Michigan encourages applicants to prepare implementation-ready projects capable of beginning quickly after award notification. The opportunity appears to recur annually, as the announcement references prior year grantees and ongoing annual grant cycles. Applicants are directed to submit applications through the official AARP Michigan application portal beginning on the published opening date. Applications are evaluated by a review team composed of AARP Michigan staff and volunteers. Scoring criteria emphasize project impact, implementation capacity, community engagement, and alignment with age-friendly principles. Impact represents the largest weighted category at 50 points and focuses on how effectively the project addresses community needs and improves livability for residents aged 50 and older. Additional evaluation factors include execution capability, location-specific need identification, stakeholder engagement, and whether the project serves a community participating in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities in Michigan. Reviewers also rank projects comparatively to determine final award recommendations. Up to five projects with the highest overall scores are selected for funding. The program includes several restrictions and conditions regarding allowable uses of funds. Ineligible activities include partisan or election-related activities, planning studies without implementation components, publication of books or reports, acquisition of land or buildings, sponsorships for other organizations’ events, and research or development activities intended to benefit nonprofit or for-profit commercial ventures. Grant recipients must execute a Memorandum of Understanding within ten days of receiving award notification or risk disqualification. Awardees are also required to acknowledge AARP Michigan support in promotional materials and provide project photos and media documentation. The terms and conditions specify that applicants consent to AARP Michigan’s use of organizational names, logos, and project-related media for promotional purposes associated with the grant program.

Focus on projects that demonstrate measurable impact for residents aged 50 and older. Emphasize implementation readiness, community engagement, and alignment with the Eight Domains of Livability. Projects that leverage volunteers and serve AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities may score more competitively.