AARP has announced that nine organizations across Rhode Island will receive 2026 Community Challenge grants, including Bike Newport, as part of a national effort to make communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults.
The grants, totaling $143,000 in Rhode Island, are part of an $8.3 million commitment by AARP nationwide — double last year’s total — to fund 750 quick-action projects. Marking the program’s 10th anniversary, the funds support improvements to public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, disaster preparedness and other local priorities.
“Communities across Rhode Island are eager for solutions that boost mobility, connection, and quality of life,” said AARP Rhode Island State Director Catherine Taylor. “Thanks to Community Challenge grants, we’re empowering residents to implement impactful improvements that make a sizeable difference.”
In Newport, Bike Newport will use its grant to install a temporary, traffic-separated bike lane with a neighborhood link along a heavily traveled road to test safer riding conditions. The pilot is intended to help riders reach nearby destinations and to guide future street design decisions. The Edward King House Senior Center in Newport also received a grant to host pop-up events helping older residents enroll in the city’s emergency registry, learn the basics of preparedness and receive starter emergency kits to prepare for storms and power outages.
Other funded projects around the state include outdoor improvements at the Community Libraries of Rhode Island and the DaVinci Center for Community Progress; traffic-calming and pedestrian-safety efforts by the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, the Greater North End Community in Westerly and the Providence Street Coalition; updated bilingual transit guides from RIPTA; and a statewide accessory dwelling unit design competition from the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing.
“America is aging, and most older adults want to stay in the communities they know and love. There are a lot of things that localities can do to support residents of all ages,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer. “AARP Community Challenge grants help transform local ideas into real improvements — from safer sidewalks and improved transportation options to public spaces that bring neighbors together.”
Since 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has awarded $479,127 through 38 grants in Rhode Island to nonprofit organizations and local government entities. The full list of grantees and their projects is available at aarp.org/communitychallenge.
