Supporting inclusion and social connections in rural communities

Before launching a community survey, look at existing data, if there is any. Some places to start: * Explore the AARP Livability Index to learn how the community compares with others. *

Check out the U.S Census Bureau. To get the data, enter the community name and state in order to find the community profile. For instance, here’s what comes up for Shawano, Wisconsin. To

find data about older residents, click on the “Populations and People” filter and choose “Older Population” from the dropdown list. Here are those results. * Examine the U.S. Census Bureau

GINI Index, which measure of income equality. The index ranges from 0 to 1, with 0 indicating perfect income equality among all households in a community and 1 indicating complete

inequality. The GINI index for the United States overall is 0.4817. (Use the filters under the “Geography” tab to learn about the GINI index for a specific state, county, or community.) 2.

BUILD ON SUCCESS Shawano Pathways partnered with eight other organizations to develop a Born Learning Trail, a United Way curriculum that helps caregivers develop meaningful engagements with

children through active learning. The project partnered with the Menominee Indian Language and Cultural Center to provide signs in Menominee as well as English. Seeing the excitement of the

children when they saw their language on the trail signs sold the team on the importance of including multiple languages on future trail projects, such as the aforementioned Grace Trail. 3.

PURSUE FUNDING The AARP Community Challenge has funded many innovative age-friendly projects that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in public spaces, transportation and housing.

Other sources of grant funding include community foundations as well as regional and local funders with an interest in aging and diversity. For example, the Hannaford Foundation sponsored by

Hannaford Supermarkets awarded $1.3 million to the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging to address food insecurity and isolation in five northeast states, with an emphasis on programs

that serve older people, especially LGBTQ+, indigenous people, and racial, ethnic, and cultural minorities. (Read about the CHEF Grant.) To stay informed about grant opportunities, subscribe

for free to the GrantStation Insider. For small amounts of money, check with local civic organizations. The application process is often simpler and processed more quickly than those at

large funding entities. National and local banks also make community grants. To find them, visit the bank’s website and look for sections or search results based on such terms as

“grantmaking,” corporate responsibility,” “community giving,” “funding opportunities.”   _PATRICIA OH, Ph.D., is a senior program manager at the University of Maine Center on Aging. She

works closely with Maine's age-friendly and lifelong communities (LifelongMaine.org) and with the AARP Livable Communities team, supporting outreach to rural communities and

municipalities that have joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. _ _Page published January 2024_