Winter Placemaking Grant Program

The AARP Vermont Winter Placemaking Grant Program invites eligible local organizations and communities in Vermont to apply for funding in 2024. This grant program aligns with AARP's broader mission to improve the lives of older adults, specifically by supporting projects that enhance the safety, accessibility, and overall appeal of public spaces during the winter months. The program aims to inspire and educate community leaders and residents to positively impact older adults living in their communities by fostering environments that support successful aging, equity, and health. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are non-profit organizations, ad-hoc community groups with a fiscal agent, and statewide/regional/local government entities located within Vermont. The program specifically targets projects that benefit individuals aged 50 and above, aiming to improve their livability and engagement within the community. The impact goals are centered on creating or improving existing local efforts, enhancing perceptions and attitudes toward community change, recognizing the influence of placemaking on successful aging, equity, and health, and expanding resources for healthier, more vibrant public spaces during winter. The program's priorities and focuses include reinventing spaces that improve safety, accessibility, and overall appeal, whether through temporary or permanent projects. Proposals should demonstrate a vision to create new or improve existing local efforts that enhance perceptions and attitudes toward community change. Crucially, projects must recognize how placemaking and community design influence successful aging, equity, and health while enhancing overall livability for those 50 plus. A key focus is also on expanding resources or toolkits to provide healthier, more vibrant public spaces during the winter months. Expected outcomes include the creation or improvement of public spaces that are more safe, accessible, and appealing for older adults in Vermont during the winter. Measurable results will likely involve the successful implementation of placemaking projects and the submission of an after-action report one month following project completion. While the document doesn't explicitly detail AARP Vermont's overarching strategic priorities or theory of change beyond this program, the grant's objectives clearly reflect a commitment to community well-being, healthy aging, and fostering supportive environments for older adults through localized, impactful initiatives.