- STATE SOURCES
- LOCAL SOURCES - Local funding sources are generally administered by Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Congestion Management Agencies, Transportation Improvement Authorities, or other regional agencies. Counties or cities may administer some funding sources. These funding sources are supported by federal, state, or local revenue streams.
- FEDERALLY- ADMINISTERED FUNDING
- CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES TO FUNDING
| STATE SOURCES |
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The Active Transportation Program (ATP) consists of federal and state transportation programs including the Bicycle Transportation Program (BTA), Safe Routes to School (SR2S), and Transportation Alternatives Programs (TAP). The purpose of ATP is to encourage increased modes of active transportation such as walking and biking. Currently, ATP Cycle 4 Call for Projects is accepting applications for FY 2019, and is expected to include approximately $440M in ATP funding from federal, State SB1, and SHA funding. ATP Cycle 4 will provide four years of funding. Applications closed July 31, 2018. Stay tuned for information on FY2020 funding. |
| The California Conservation Corps (CCC) is a public service program that occasionally provides assistance on construction projects. The CCC may be written into grant applications as a project partner. In order to utilize CCC labor, project sites must be public land or publicly-accessible. CCC labor will not perform regular maintenance, but will perform annual maintenance, such as the opening of trails in the spring. |
| California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grants are supported by Federal funding under the National Highway Safety Act and SAFETEA-LU. In California, the grants are administered by the Office of Traffic Safety. Grants are used to establish new traffic safety programs, expand ongoing programs or address deficiencies in current programs. Pedestrian safety is included in the list of traffic safety priority areas. Eligible grantees are governmental agencies, state colleges, state universities, local city and county government agencies, school districts, fire departments, and public emergency services providers. Grant funding cannot replace existing program expenditures, nor can traffic safety funds be used for program maintenance, research, rehabilitation, or construction. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, and priority is given to agencies with the greatest need. Evaluation criteria to assess need include potential traffic safety impact, collision statistics and rankings, seriousness of problems, and performance on previous OTS grants. There is no maximum cap to the amount requested, but all items in the proposal must be justified to meet the objectives of the proposal. FFY 2020 applications are now being accepted. All applications are due Wednesday, January 30, 2019. |
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Caltrans Transportation Planning Grant Program provides two grants for bicycle and pedestrian project planning and construction.
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| Cool California Funding Wizard, a searchable database to locate funding across state and federal agencies for reducing the impacts of climate change and supporting sustainable communities. |
| Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program provides grant opportunities for projects that indirectly mitigate environmental impacts of new transportation facilities. Projects should fall into one of the following three categories: urban forestry, resource lands, or mitigation projects beyond the scope of the lead agency. Funds are available for land acquisition and construction. The local Caltrans District must support the project. See the 2018 project guidelines here. Applications closed Friday, June 22, 2018 at 5 PM. Stay tuned for information on future funding opportunities. |
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Caltrans Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is one of the core federal-aid programs under Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST). HSIP focuses on reducing traffic-injuries and fatalities on all public roads, including tribal land and non-state-owned public roads. Projects must improve the safety of road users on any public road, publicly owned bicycle or pedestrian pathway or trail, or on tribal lands. Applicants must be a city, a county, or a tribal government federally recognized within California. The maximum federal HSIP reimbursement amount for a single project is $10 million, and the minimum federal reimbursement for any single HSIP project is $100,000. All proposed projects must lead to and complete the construction of safety improvements, and must be consistent with California's Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). Review HSIP Cycle 9 Call for Projects guideline. HSIP Cycle 9 Call for Projects applications closed Friday, August, 31, 2018. Stay tuned for information on future funding opportunities. |
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Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federally funded program, run through the National Park Service that provides grants for planning and acquiring outdoor recreation areas and facilities, including trails.
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| The Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act allows any county, city, special district, school district, or joint powers of authority to establish a Community Facility Districts (CFD) for the purpose of selling tax-exempt bonds to fund public improvements within that district. |
| The National Safety Council's Road to Zero Coalition is now accepting applications for the 2019 Safe System Innovation Grants. Grants are open to organizations with innovative approaches to making roadways safer and eliminating preventable roadway deaths. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 25, 2019 with winners announced in March. Applicants must clearly explain how their programs will reduce motor-vehicle crashes, set a time frame for the reduction, outline how the program will be evaluated and detail how the organization intends to reach its target audience, among other elements. |
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State Highway Operations & Protection Program (SHOPP) is a Caltrans funding source with the purpose of maintaining and preserving the investment in the State Highway System and supporting infrastructure. Projects typically fall into the following categories: collision reduction, major damage restoration, bridge preservation, roadway preservation, roadside preservation, mobility enhancement, and preservation of other transportation facilities related to the state highway system. In the past, SHOPP funds have been used to construct bicycle and pedestrian projects, including curb ramps, overcrossings, bike paths, sidewalks, and signal upgrades to meet ADA requirements. Jurisdictions work with Caltrans’ districts to have projects placed on the SHOPP list. Read 2018 SHOPP here. |
| State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): To be included in the STIP, projects must be identified either in the Inter-regional Transportation Improvement Plan (ITIP), which is prepared by Caltrans, or in the Regional Transportation Improvement Plan (RTIP). Bicycle and pedestrian projects are eligible for inclusion. Caltrans updates the STIP every two years. SAFETEA-LU, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, is the primary federal funding source for bicycle and pedestrian projects. Caltrans, the State Resources Agency and regional planning agencies administer SAFETEA-LU funding. Most, but not all of these funding programs emphasize transportation modes and purposes that reduce auto trips and provide inter-modal connections. SAFETEA-LU programs require a local match of between zero percent and 20 percent. SAFETEA-LU funds primarily capital improvements and safety and education programs that relate to the surface transportation system. To be eligible for Federal transportation funds, States are required to develop a State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and update it at least every four years. A STIP is a multi-year capital improvement program of transportation projects that coordinates transportation-related capital improvements planned by metropolitan planning organizations and the state. California Transportation Commission (CTC) 2018 STIP Guidelines and Chapter 23 revisions pending). |
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Wildlife Conservation Board Public Access Program provides grants to public agencies and non-profit groups and organizations in California. The focus of the Board’s grant funding program is the acquisition of lands or improvements that preserve wildlife habitat or provide recreational access for hunting, fishing, or other wildlife-oriented activities. Projects eligible for funding include interpretive trails, river access, and trailhead parking areas. The State of California must have a proprietary interest in the project. Local agencies are generally responsible for the planning and engineering phases of each project.
Proposals are due Friday, June 29 and full applications are due Friday, August 10, 2018. FY 2018-19 Public Access Program Solicitation Period Is Now Closed. |
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SR2S Active Transportation Program (ATP) Technical Assistance Opportunity is a chance for local agencies and communities to work with the Safe Routes to School National Partnership to create a competative ATP Cycle 5 application, for which the Call for Projects is scheduled in the first half of 2020. Applications are due March 15, 2019. |
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AARP Community Challenge supplies small grants to nonprofits, government agencies and other groups intending to improve housing, transportation, smart cities and other community elements in short-term, community-based projects. Projects can encourage healthy, safe, inclusive communities by reimagining streets for pedestrians, wheelchair users, cyclists, transit-riders and motorists of all ages and abilities. Applications are due April 27, 2019 and all projects must be completed by November 4, 2019. |
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The FTA 5310 Program aims to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation services and expanding the transportation mobility options available. The FTA 5310 Program provides grant funds for:
Applications are due September 6, 2019. |
| LOCAL SOURCES |
| Clif Bar Family Foundation has a Small Grants Program that provides funds for general organizational support as well as funding for specific projects. Applications are reviewed three times a year; the deadlines for 2019 are the 1st of February, June, and October. Grants awarded during a particular cycle will be announced at the beginning of the following cycle.
Priority is given to applicants that address their funding priorities from a holistic perspective: Protect Earth's beauty and bounty; Create a robust, healthy food system; Increase opportunities for outdoor activity; Reduce environmental health hazards; and Build stronger communities. |
| Community Development Block Grants fund projects and programs that develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. Federal Community Development Block Grant Grantees may use CDBG funds for activities that include (but are not limited to) acquiring real property; building public facilities and improvements, such as streets, sidewalks, and recreational facilities; and planning and administrative expenses, such as costs related to developing a consolidated plan and managing CDBG funds. The state makes funds available to eligible agencies (cities and counties) through a variety of different grant types. Grantees enter into a contract with the state. |
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Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) was established by California State Statute utilizing Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBGP) funds that are identified in Section 133 of Title 23 of the UnitedStates Code. This program promotes flexibility in State and local transportation decisions and provides flexible funding to best address State and local transportation needs. |
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San Diego: San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board of Directors allocates federal funds through several grant programs. Projects generally indirectly or directly enhance San Diego's quality of life through. Grants are available for a variety of projects including infrastructure safety and improvement, habitat management, and specialized transportation services for senior and disabled populations. There are currently three active grant programs: Smart Growth Incentive and Active Transportation, TransNet Environmental Mitigation, and Specialized Transportation. |
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San Francisco Bay Area: Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the transportation planning, financing, and coordinating agency for the nine Bay Area counties.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) provides funding for Bay Area municipalities, government agencies, and public educational institutions. The Air District provides funding to public agencies for trip reduction, bike parking and bike-way expansion, and clean air vehicle projects.
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San Mateo County:
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Sonoma County: Under Measure M, four percent of its sales tax revenue to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects Program. The overall goal of these construction projects is to increase overall safety, and provide safe routes to school and to transit. |
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Los Angeles:
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| Federally-Administered Funding |
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US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awards more than $4 billion in grant funding to a plethora of local, regional, and state projects. In addition to EPA's Office if Sustainable Community, the federal agency is committed to developing smart growth strategies that help communities expand economic opportunity and infrastructure, while protecting human health and the environment.
Other federal funding opportunities:
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The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) allocates funds to states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. Examples of trail uses include hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, and other non-motorized and motorized uses. The State Department of Parks and Recreation administers RTP funds in California. A minimum 12 percent of local match is required. RTP projects must be ADA-compliant and may be used for:
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The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program is a National Parks Service program that provides technical assistance via direct staff involvement, to establish and restore greenways, rivers, trails, watersheds and open space. It provides only for planning assistance—there are no implementation monies available. Projects are prioritized for assistance based upon criteria that include conserving significant community resources, fostering cooperation between agencies, serving a large number of users, encouraging public involvement in planning and implementation and focusing on lasting accomplishments.
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