Saint Francis Selected as 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grantee

June 18, 2026

Saint Francis Hospital is thrilled to announce it has been selected to receive a 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant. This year, only 750 grantees were chosen from 5,100 applications from across all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Saint Francis is one of just 750 grant recipients from across the country.

This quick action grant will go towards the North Hartford Transforming Communities Initiative Collaborative, bringing together grassroots leaders, older residents, housing advocates and health partners to address structural barriers affecting health and well-being. To advance this work, the Collaborative seeks to partner with the University of Hartford’s graduate architecture program. This project empowers Hartford residents to shape the design of future intergenerational, age-friendly housing by creating community-informed architectural renderings that strengthen advocacy and guide future affordable housing development. This project will advance our efforts to make Hartford a place where people of all ages can thrive.

“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected Saint Francis for this investment to help make Hartford more livable for residents of all ages,” said Carolyn Alessi, Regional Director, Community Health and Well-Being, Trinity Health Of New England. “AARP is a national leader in supporting communities to become more livable, and we are honored they recognize the value and impact this project will bring to our area.”

The AARP Community Challenge grant program supports projects that improve public places, housing, transportation, digital connectivity, disaster resilience and more. In 2026, Toyota Motor North America is funding pedestrian safety projects that aim to enhance streets and sidewalks nationwide. Microsoft is supporting digital connections projects aimed at expanding access to and adoption of high-speed internet.

These grants are part of AARP’s broader Livable Communities initiative, which helps neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country become great places for people of all ages. AARP believes communities should offer:

Safe, walkable streets.
Affordable and accessible housing and transportation options.
Access to essential services.
Opportunities for residents to engage and participate fully in community life.

To explore all 750 projects funded this year – or to view an interactive map of current and past Community Challenge projects – visit AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. Learn more about AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities work at AARP.org/Livable.