SBP and AARP Join Forces to Make Communities More Resilient

SBP and AARP have a rich history of collaboration, beginning in 2016 when the AARP Foundation supported SBP in developing disaster recovery materials tailored to the needs of older adults recovering from catastrophic floods in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Over the years, the AARP and AARP Foundation have provided more than $1.7 million in funding to advance SBP’s mission of helping communities reduce the time between disaster and recovery. This includes $350,000 in recent funding to support SBP’s Hurricane Helene and Milton recovery operations.

AARP has also strengthened SBP’s reach by connecting SBP with AARP state offices in its Livable Communities – Technical Assistance Program (LC-TAP), for which SBP has served as a technical advisor since 2023. Through this partnership, SBP supports AARP staff and their local partners to strengthen community resilience to natural disasters. Over the past two years, SBP has provided technical assistance to 16 AARP state offices on projects ranging from building disaster financial literacy to improving communication strategies for older adults before disasters strike.

Building on this legacy, SBP and AARP are collaborating on a new initiative in 2025 to enhance disaster preparedness for communities nationwide. 

For the first time, the AARP Community Challenge grant program will include a dedicated category for disaster preparedness microgrants. As the key partner providing technical assistance to guide this initiative, SBP will guide nonprofits and local governments in creating impactful, community-specific preparedness projects that prioritize residents aged 50 and older. Applications are due by March 5, 2025, 5 p.m. ET, and all projects must be completed by December 15, 2025.

Through this collaboration, AARP Community Challenge grantees will gain access to:

• $2,500 microgrants from AARP to fund local disaster preparedness initiatives.
• Webinars and cohort learning opportunities facilitated by SBP to boost knowledge of best practices and strategies.
• One-on-one coaching from SBP to strengthen project planning and execution.
• Educational resources from SBP’s Resource Hub and the AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit.

Since its inception in 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has awarded $20.1 million in funding through more than 1,700 community grants across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These grants, part of the AARP Livable Communities initiative, help communities make immediate improvements while fostering long-term progress.

The new disaster preparedness initiative reflects AARP’s recognition of the growing need for resilience in the face of increasing natural disasters. By collaborating with SBP, AARP is equipping communities to prepare effectively and recover faster, ensuring a safer future for all residents, particularly older adults.

Why Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults Matters

With one in three Americans now over the age of 50—and in light of projections that older adults will outnumber children under 18 by 2034—age-friendly, resilient communities are more important than ever. The AARP Livable Communities initiative prioritizes creating environments where residents of all ages can thrive. Disaster preparedness is essential to making this vision a reality.

“We are thrilled to continue working with AARP and its network of community partners to prepare older adults and high-risk communities more effectively for the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters they are experiencing across the US,” said Helen Wiley, Director of SBP’s Disaster Preparedness Program. 

For more information about the 2025 AARP Community Challenge grant program or to apply by the March 5, 2025 deadline, visit AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. Visit SBP’s Resource Hub to learn more about SBP’s disaster preparedness resources for individuals and communities.