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Age-Friendly subcommittee outlines AARP action plan, seeks fiduciary for small grant and lists project priorities
Summary
The commission’s Age-Friendly subcommittee described four priority goals and said it will pursue an AARP Community Challenge capacity-building grant — but it needs a town department or a 501(c)(3) to act as fiduciary.
Jan, chairing the Age-Friendly discussion, updated commissioners on progress toward an action plan to submit to AARP and on possible grant opportunities.
Jan summarized four focal goals for the AARP Age-Friendly application — social participation, housing, transportation, and outdoor spaces/buildings — and described subcommittee work already underway with library and DEI partners. She said the group is also preparing an application for the 2025 AARP Community Challenge grants, due March 5.
Jan described three AARP grant tracks mentioned in the webinar materials: a flagship grant (roughly $10,000–$20,000), a capacity‑building grant (about $2,500, which includes coaching and webinars), and a demonstration grant aimed at larger projects such as high‑speed internet, pedestrian safety or housing competitions. The commission agreed the capacity-building grant is the most realistic target for their scope.
AARP requires a fiduciary organization because the Age-Friendly Commission is an advisory body without 501(c)(3) status. Jan asked the town or a local 501(c)(3) to serve as fiscal sponsor; Diana and staff indicated the town’s departments could serve as a fiduciary if they sign off and provide required information. Jan and Diana discussed working together with Mark Nelson and town staff on the application.
Potential project ideas listed for the grant included walk audits, HomeFit guide modifications for aging-in-place, and disaster-preparation outreach. Jan noted the capacity grant project must be executed within the calendar year if awarded; AARP also holds a Q&A webinar (Jan. 29, 2 p.m.) for applicants.
Jan also reported the subcommittee would like to partner on a “trade fair” concept for aging-in-place products and services and is coordinating with library staff about project collaborations. Jan said the AARP capacity-building grant offers coaching and that the commission intends to do the application work but will need the town or a nonprofit to be the fiduciary.
Jan will convene further work with town staff and subcommittee members and encouraged commissioners to attend the AARP webinar if interested. The commission also noted that the Farmington Valley Health District’s 2024–2029 community health improvement plan lists “optimal well-being for older adults” as a priority and that the commission will explore partnership opportunities there.
