MCHD selected for AARP Community Challenge grant program 06.20.25

June 20, 2025

MCHD selected for AARP Community Challenge grant program

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) has been selected to receive a $2,500 Capacity-Building Microgrant through the 2025 AARP Community Challenge grant program.

The AARP Community Challenge grant program is part of the nationwide AARP Livable Communities initiative that helps communities make immediate improvements and jump-start long-term progress in support of residents of all ages.

In the first-ever AARP Community Challenge, AARP received nearly 1,200 applications and distributed nearly $780,000 among 88 grant projects.

In 2025, the program received more than 3,450 applications. More than $4.2 million was distributed to 383 grant projects, across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

There are three grant opportunities: Flagship, Demonstration, and Microgrants. The Capacity-Building Microgrant opportunity accepted applications for projects that benefit residents — especially those aged 50 and older — in several categories. MCHD selected Disaster Preparedness Training.

The funds will be used to implement disaster preparedness training programs and resources for residents, especially those aged 50-plus, with support from the SBP (formerly the St. Bernard Project) non-profit disaster relief organization and using the AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit. MCHD will purchase first-aid kits and go-bag supplies, bilingual training flyers and hurricane “Get 10” preparedness cards, and host several community meetings.

The other categories included:

• Walk Audits: Implement walk audit assessments to enhance safety and walkability in communities, especially for people aged 50-plus, with support from America Walks and using the AARP Walk Audit Tool Kit.
• Bike Audits: Implement bike audits to enhance safety and bikeability in communities, especially for people aged 50-plus, with support from The League of American Bicyclists and using the AARP Bike Audit Tool Kit.
• HomeFit Guide Modifications: Implement education, simple home modifications and accessible safety solutions to create and maintain “lifelong homes,” especially for people aged 50-plus, with support from the RL Mace Universal Design Institute and using the AARP HomeFit Guide.

For more information on all of this year’s grantees and their projects, go to AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. You can see a map featuring this year’s AARP Community Challenge projects, previous year’s grantees, as well as communities that are members of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities on AARP’s Livable Communities interactive map at AARP.org/LivableMap.