AARP WA Awards Grants to Help 11 Communities Become More Livable

AARP Washington has awarded more than $125,000 in Community Challenge grants to 11 projects across the state. The quick-action grants will support local work to improve public spaces, transportation, digital access, home safety and emergency response.

This year’s Washington projects include new pickleball courts in Fairfield, digital literacy classes in Seattle, transportation upgrades in Vancouver, cooling support in Spokane, home safety training in Moses Lake, and more.

Quick projects, practical results

The AARP Community Challenge funds projects that can be completed quickly and respond to needs identified by local residents and organizations. In Washington, the grants will help communities make everyday places safer, more accessible and easier to use for people of all ages.

“AARP Washington is committed to working with local leaders, advocates and policymakers to provide support and resources that result in healthier, safer and more affordable communities for all Washingtonians,” said Heidi Wong, AARP Washington. “We are proud to support this year’s grantees as they bring about positive changes in our communities.”

Since 2017, AARP Washington has awarded more than $550,000 to 55 Community Challenge projects across the state.

2026 Washington grantees

• Fairfield: The Town of Fairfield will convert an old tennis court into four public pickleball courts, with surface repairs, seating and ADA access.
• Tacoma: Trinity Feeding Ministry will add drip irrigation and ADA-accessible seating to a community garden that supports older gardeners and provides produce for a local food pantry.
• Seattle: Asian Counseling and Referral Service will offer digital literacy classes for immigrant and refugee adults age 50 and older, including help with computers, email and online job applications.
• Spokane: The Carl Maxey Center will provide portable air conditioners, installation and heat safety education to adults age 50 and older with low incomes.
• Vancouver: Community in Motion will update its volunteer transportation program with ride management software to improve scheduling for older adults and people with disabilities.
• Olympia: The City of Olympia will provide portable heat pumps and air filters to homebound older adults with low incomes and share information on staying safe during extreme heat and poor air quality.
• Lakebay: Rainfall Ranch Rescue will improve an outdoor community space with accessible paths, seating and gardens for adults age 50 and older.
• Davenport: Davenport Community Senior Center will improve parking, lighting, seating and its covered entrance to make the center safer and easier to use.
• Cusick: The Kalispel Tribe will create a Medicine Wheel Garden near the Elder Center with native plants, seating and shade.
• Sedro-Woolley: Sedro-Woolley Fire Department will purchase secure residential lock boxes to help first responders enter homes more quickly during emergencies involving older adults and residents with limited mobility.
• Moses Lake: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake will offer training for older adults and families on simple home safety modifications.

Part of a national effort

Now in its tenth year, the AARP Community Challenge is investing more than $8.3 million in 750 projects nationwide. The program is part of AARP’s work to make communities more livable for people of all ages.

Contributor Christina Clem is the AARP Washington communications manager. For information about AARP issues and events in Washington state, click here.