The Quad City Area REALTORS (QCAR) has been awarded a 2025 AARP Community Challenge grant that will enable the association to launch a new design contest.
QCAR, headquartered in downtown Bettendorf, was one of only 383 organizations chosen from a pool of more than 3,450 applications nationwide that represented all 50 states.
With this quick-action grant, QCAR announced in a Tuesday, June 24, news release it will launch an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) design competition. The top 10 winning designs will be displayed to the public and made available for construction. The top designs also will receive cash prizes.
QCAR said the increase in popular ADUs under construction is helping families care for aging parents, generate rental income and keep children close. The project aims to provide flexible living solutions for a variety of needs.
“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected the Quad City Area REALTORS for this investment to make the Quad Cities more livable for residents of all ages,” Sharon Smith, QCAR’s chief executive officer, said in the release. “We know that strong communities start with thoughtful design and inclusive planning.”
Ms. Smith added “This project is a tangible step toward making our region current and welcoming for every generation.”
QCAR credited the $15,000 AARP grant with making the project possible. The contest is still a work in progress.
$4.2M for 383 projects
According to AARP, the 2025 Community Challenge marks the largest number of grants ever awarded in the grant’s nine-year history. This year, a total of $4.2 million was awarded to 383 projects. All were focused on meeting the needs of adults age 50 and older.
In addition, $2 million, or 45% of the awards, will fund projects in rural communities also making it the grant’s largest rural investment to date.
Since the grant’s launch in 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has funded 2,100 grants. It has invested $24.3 million in 45,000 improvements. They include park benches, crosswalks, bike racks. It also boosted more than 8,000 community-based programs. Among them were digital skills training and transit education for older adults. This funding sparks long-term change in areas such as public places, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, and community resilience.
In 2025, Community Challenge funding partners include Toyota Motor North America (focused on pedestrian safety) and Microsoft (digital connectivity and broadband access).
AARP’s Livable Communities initiative helps neighborhoods, towns, cities, and counties become great places to live for people of all ages, with safe streets, affordable housing, and opportunities for all residents to thrive.
To learn more about the 2025 AARP Community Challenge grantees and explore an interactive map of funded projects, visit here.
