DES MOINES — AARP announced 13 organizations throughout Iowa including Arts + Culture Alliance ($15,000) will receive a combined $162,557 in 2026 Community Challenge grants. Arts + Culture leads a community-led effort to convert a tornado-impacted downtown lot into an accessible pocket plaza with shade, seating and public art.

These grants mark the program’s 10th anniversary. The grants are part of an $8.3 million commitment by AARP, doubling last year’s total, to fund 750 quick-action projects nationwide aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults. The funds will support improvements to public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, disaster preparedness and other local priorities that help improve social connections and strengthen neighborhoods and towns of all sizes.