News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — CreatINg Livable Communities, a partnership between AARP Indiana and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, will continue to benefit Hoosiers over 50 for another year. In an effort to further the missions of AARP’s Livable Communities program and IHCDA’s CreatINg Places crowdgranting program, CreatINg Livable Communities assists Indiana communities in funding place-based projects for aging in place. This year, AARP Indiana has committed an additional $25,000 to the CreatINg Livable Communities program to support CreatINg Places projects that benefit Hoosiers 50 and up.

“CreatINg Livable Communities is not just about improving physical spaces — it is about fostering a sense of belonging and accessibility for all Hoosiers regardless of age,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Through CreatINg Livable Communities, we’re ensuring that Indiana remains a place where older adults can thrive.”

Projects must provide a clear and tangible benefit to Hoosiers over 50 and satisfy additional requirements around the promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, as well as demonstrating a connection to existing community efforts, stakeholder engagement and relevance to AARP Indiana’s key priorities for older Hoosiers.

Last year, five communities were awarded $5,000 each from AARP Indiana in addition to the funds raised from their successful crowdfunding campaigns. With IHCDA’s matching grants, total community investments for these projects exceeded $180,000.

“Every year it becomes more and more important to invest in projects that make our communities livable and welcoming for the growing population of older Hoosiers,” said AARP Indiana State Director Sarah Waddle. “Across our state we’ve seen leaders step forward with exciting ideas that will have lasting impacts. AARP Indiana is excited to partner again with IHCDA to help turn these proposals into reality.”

Eligible projects must have a total development budget of between $15,000 and $105,000. Projects must crowdfund between $5,000 and $50,000 according to CreatINg Places guidelines through Patronicity’s crowdfunding platform. Unsuccessful crowdfunding campaigns will not receive grant funding from IHCDA or AARP Indiana. CreatINg Places projects have a high crowdfunding success rate thanks to the one-on-one coaching that Patronicity provides, helping communities crowdfund over $10 million since the program launched in 2015.

Project applicants will be reviewed and approved on a first come, first serve and case-by-case basis until all funds are exhausted.

Learn more about the program in an upcoming webinar from noon-2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13.