AARP Montana announced six organizations statewide will share $88,936 in 2024 Community Challenge grants – part of its largest investment in communities to date with $3.8 million awarded among 343 organizations nationwide.
Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages 50 and older, AARP said.
“AARP Montana is committed to working with local leaders, advocates and policymakers to make already great communities even better places to live for Montanans of all ages, especially those 50 and older,” Tim Summers, AARP Montana state director, said in a news release.
The six projects include:
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■ $24,000 – Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team, Baker—Rural Food Forest
This project will create a food forest by installing trees, benches, lighting and irrigation. Fallon County has donated the land, cleared and soil tested it and permitted the project.
■ $20,000 – Prickly Pear Land Trust, Helena – Ten Mile Creek Park Improvements
This project will add comfortable, wheelchair-charging amenities and park enhancements for those who need them, making the park more accessible and inclusive for all park users.
■ $7,436 – Songbird Community Garden, Billings – Expand Giving Garden
Songbird Community Gardens’ expansion of their Giving Garden beds will improve opportunities to donate fresh vegetables to local families, seniors and food pantries who need food assistance.
■ $20,000 – Human Resources Development Council IX, Livingston – Accessory Dwelling Unit Community Educational Workshop Series
This project will educate Park County residents about building accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Workshops will include information on financing, zoning, design and more. ADUs can be a solution for local workforce housing and/or multi-generational living and aging in place. This four-part workshop will prepare participants to initiate construction.
■ $15,000 – Shelter WF, Whitefish – Housing Design Competition
This project will create a local design competition to shine a spotlight on diverse housing options. The competition will invite innovative design submissions from local architecture firms, companies and students across the state. The competition will highlight and recognize the pressing need for diverse, affordable, accessible and community-centric housing for people of all ages.
■ $2,500 – Community Food and Agriculture Coalition, Missoula – Western Montana Farmers Market Walk-Audit Project
This project will conduct five walk audits of Farmers Market locations in western Montana to identify potential locations for sidewalk, crosswalk and overall physical access improvement.
Later this summer, AARP Montana will announce six Community Challenge Grants totaling $24,600 that are funded through the AARP Montana state office.
