Funding Opportunities

Funding and Programming Opportunities

  • Regional Opportunities - Local funding sources and programming opportunities 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.
  • Statewide Opportunities- State-level funding sources and programming opportunities are generally administered by Departments of Transportation, state transportation programs, Offices of Traffic Saftey or other state agencies. 
  • Federal Opportunities - Federal funding sources and programming opportunities are generally administered by federal agencies, authorities or federal revenue streams. 
  • Outside Opportunities - Outside funding sources and programming opportunities are generally administered by organizations, grants or other revenue streams outside of state, local or federal transportation funding revenue streams. 
  • Conceptual Approaches to Funding

Funding can make or break an active transportation project, which makes equitable funding opportunities important for communities to access. In recent years, many planners and agencies have recognized how redlining and disinvestment in certain communities has led to lack of safe infrastructure and less access to public transportation options. Here are a few key funding opportunities that aim to address this:

  • California Public Utilities Commission Equity and Access Grant Program: The CPUC strives to include the needs and voices of underserved and underrepresented communities in its decision-making processes. In 2022, the California Legislature appropriated $30,000,000 in the Budget Act of 2022 (AB 179) for capacity grants to Tribes and community-based organizations (CBOs) for participation in CPUC decision-making processes and supporting activities. The Equity and Access (E&A) Grant Program was created to implement this legislation. 
  • Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program: The BIL created the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, which makes $10 million available over five years to provide states, local governments, and tribal governments with grants to support project development leading to future applications to DOT credit or grant programs. The grants can support legal, technical, and financial advisors to help advance infrastructure projects. The first notice of funding opportunity includes two fiscal years and makes $3.4 million available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit the program page or email RuralandTribalTA@dot.gov. Applications open on August 14 at 2 PM ET and close on September 28, 2023.

  • The Thriving Communities Program provides intensive technical assistance to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities to help them identify, develop, and deliver transportation and community revitalization opportunities. For the FY 2023 program, DOT has added a Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Program set-aside to which states, Tribes, and regional planning organizations can apply. This set-aside will allow pilot program participants to provide TCP activities at a state or regional scale to communities within their jurisdictions. This year, DOT anticipates funding at least four pilots at approximately $1 million each.

  • Safe Routes to Parks Accelerator Program: The program will help interagency teams from three states make funding and practice changes to support safe, convenient, and equitable access to parks and other everyday destinations across their respective states. Each state will assemble a Safe Routes to Parks team that includes representatives from various state agencies, including, but not limited to transportation, public health, and conservation & natural resources. Over 12 months, Safe Routes Partnership will provide consulting services customized to support each state team.

    • Each team is required to fill out a brief form and submit a 1-2 page Letter of Interest that highlights why they would like to participate in the program. Letters of interest are due by October 9, 2023 and can be emailed to parks@saferoutespartnership.org. If you have any questions, please email parks@saferoutespartnership.org.

Regional Opportunities

Southern California

Southern California Association of Governments

  • 2023 Go Human Mini-Grants Program: With support from the California Office of Traffic Safety, the Mini-Grants program provides funding to non-profits and community-based organizations to implement local traffic safety projects. As a program of SCAG’s Go Human campaign, the Mini-Grants program aims to build street-level community resiliency and increase the safety of people most harmed by traffic injuries and fatalities, including without limitation Black, Indigenous and People of Color; people with disabilities; and frontline workers, particularly those walking and biking. Community-based organizations, non-profits, and social enterprises are eligible for a Mini-Grant. Funding is available to recipients across the SCAG region, which encompasses the counties of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura. Find more information including the project guidelines and application form. Applications closed on March 31, 2023. Stay tuned for future opportunities!

Los Angeles 

San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)

  • 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. 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. 

Central California

Northern California

San Francisco Bay Area

  • 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 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. The current cycle of small grants closed on June 1, 2023. Stay tuned for the Fall 2023 deadline for applications. 
  • Oakland: Paint the Town was established to provide residents the opportunity to engage with their neighbors, friends, and community organizations to create murals directly on their neighborhood streets. This program is run in partnership between the Oakland Department of Transportation, Eastside Arts Alliance, and Safe Passages. There are no fees associated with the application process and support is available for community groups based on financial need and funding availability. Murals by community groups in historically underserved neighborhoods will receive the highest priority for funding. Those interested in applying are encouraged to view the guidelines and submit an application. 

  • Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the transportation planning, financing, and coordinating agency for the nine Bay Area counties.

    • The third round of the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program will fund more than $750 million in federal funding for projects from 2023 to 2026. The Regional Program division will receive $375 million over 4 years, and should focus on Climate Initiatives, Transformational Transit Action Plan near-term investments, near-term multimodal operational improvements, such as Bay Bridge Forward, Priority Development Areas (PDAs), Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs), and other new growth geographies planning and implementation, Complete Streets Policy and Regional Active Transportation Plan, Regional Safety/Vision Zero Policy, and Pavement Management Programs. County Transportation Agencies released their calls for projects beginning in May 2022 and did their final review in fall 2022. MTC staff identified and awarded projects which will have the biggest impact in meeting Plan Bay Area 2050 goals, and recommended those to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for adoption in January 2023.
    • Priority Development Areas (PDA) Planning Program funds plans specific to land use of public transit hubs and rail corridors across the nine Bay Area counties. Examples of eligible projects include emphasis on increasing active transportation multimodal connections, carpooling and carsharing usage, and transit ridership. The current application period is closed. Stay tuned for future funding opportunities.
    • Transportation Development Act Article 3 (TDA 3) provides funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects annually. TDA generates funding through a quarter-cent sales tax to support transportation projects including bus and rail projects, special transit services for disabled riders, and bicycle facilities. MTC allows each of the nine counties to determine how to use two percent of allocated TDA funds. Some counties competitively select projects while some countries disseminate funds based on population count. 
    • Program for Arterial System Synchronization (PASS) delivers financial and technical assistance to cities and counties to enhance traffic signal synchronization. Signal coordination projects include signal-timing priority, traffic-responsive timing plans, and "flush" plans for managing traffic incidents. 
    • OneBayArea: Climate Initiatives Program aims to reduce the carbon footprint from Bay Area transportation. The program helps meet emissions-reduction goals set by state law. Since 2009, MTC has invested $80M in innovative solutions to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. Some solutions include car sharing and vanpooling programs, commuter benefits programs, and grant funding to support climate mitigation projects.
  • 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. 
    • Vehicle Trip Reduction Grant Program: As of November 2019, approximately $3 million in funding was available for award to public agencies through the Vehicle Trip Reduction Grant Program, for transportation services (including first- and last-mile connection) and bicycle infrastructure projects that will reduce vehicle trips. This program is funded through the Air District’s Transportation Fund for Clean Air Regional Fund, which provides grants to improve air quality within the nine-county Bay Area by reducing emissions of criteria pollutants from on-road vehicles. For the FYE 2022 cycle, the Air District will be offering up to $2M to public agencies to co-fund trip reduction projects in the Bay Area that have been awarded either a Clean Mobility Project Voucher under the Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program or an Implementation Grant under the Sustainable Transportation Equity Project. Applicants applying to these programs with projects located in the Bay Area are welcome to contact the Air District for support. Interested parties are encouraged to sign up to receive TFCA email alerts and return to the Vehicle Trip Reduction Grant Program web page for regular updates.
    • Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program: The Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program (CMO) provides voucher-based funding for zero-emission carsharing, carpooling/vanpooling, bikesharing/scooter-sharing, innovative transit services, and ride-on-demand services in California’s historically underserved communities. The program had $20 million available in 2020. Applications have closed, stay tuned for future funding opportunities. 

San Joaquin County

  • San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) 2021 Regional ATP Call for Projects: The 2021 Regional Active Transportation Program includes approximately $18.35 million of various state, local, and federal funding sources. Learn more about the regional call projects, funding sources for these projects, project resources, and schedule for submittal here. The 2023 call for Regional Active Transportation Program (ATP) applications closed in January 2023. Stay tuned for future funding opportunities. 

San Mateo County

  • Under Measure A, three percent of all sales tax revenues is dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian projects. 
  • San Mateo: Transportation Demand Management Agency is a public agency focused on reducing single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) commuting in the San Mateo County. The agency provides information and commute planning alternatives, employer incentive programs and cross-collaboration with city transit. For more information, review the Resources page here.

Sonoma County

  • 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.

Statewide Opportunities

  • 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 for the 2023 cycle closed Wednesday, March 15. Stay tuned for future opportunities!

  • 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. Learn more about the program in the ATP Fact Sheet. The Cycle 6 Call for Projects launched in 2022.

  • The California Conservation Corps (CCC) is a public service program that occasionally provides assistance on construction projects. The CCC administers several programs and grants to conserve, restore and enhance California’s natural resources. Projects can include watershed protection, wildland fire prevention and non-motorized transportation improvements. Learn more about funding opportunities for your project.
  • California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)'s Environmental Justice Action Grants: Provides funding for projects that lift the burden of pollution from those most vulnerable to its effects, including low-income and immigrant communities, communities of color, and California Native American Tribes who face disproportionate impacts from climate change. CalEPA will accept applications from: federally recognized tribes; 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; and organizations receiving fiscal sponsorship from 501(c)(3) organizations.
  • 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 and bicycle 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. The Federal Fiscal Year 2024 application period closed on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Stay tuned for future opportunities. 
  • California Public Utilities Commission Equity and Access Grant Program: The CPUC strives to include the needs and voices of underserved and underrepresented communities in its decision-making processes. In 2022, the California Legislature appropriated $30,000,000 in the Budget Act of 2022 (AB 179) for capacity grants to Tribes and community-based organizations (CBOs) for participation in CPUC decision-making processes and supporting activities. The Equity and Access (E&A) Grant Program was created to implement this legislation. The E&A Grant Program consists of three grant accounts:
  • Caltrans Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP): The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST) was signed into law on December 4, 2015. Under FAST, the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), codified as Section 148 of Title 23, United States Code (23 U.S.C §148), is a core federal-aid program to States for the purpose of achieving a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. The Division of Local Assistance (DLA) manages California's local agency share of HSIP funds. California's Local HSIP focuses on infrastructure projects with nationally recognized crash reduction factors (CRFs). Local HSIP projects must be identified on the basis of crash experience, crash potential, crash rate, or other data-supported means. Currently there are three different funding programs:
    • Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) (Caltrans announced HSIP Cycle 11 Call-for-Projects on May 9, 2022. The application deadline was September 12, 2022. You can now see which projects were approved for Cycle 11. 
    • Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program (SSARP) (no current call for projects).
    • Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) Program (no current call for projects).

  • Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants: Caltrans announced the FY 2023-24 Sustainable Transportation Grant program in January 2023. These grants include:

    • Sustainable Communities Grants ($29.5 million) to encourage local and regional planning that supports state goals, implements Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) (where applicable), and to ultimately achieve the State’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target of 40 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 2050, respectively.

    • NEW! Climate Adaptation Planning Grants ($50 million) support local and regional identification of transportation-related climate vulnerabilities through the development of climate adaptation plans, as well as project-level adaptation planning to identify adaptation projects and strategies for transportation infrastructure.

    • Strategic Partnerships Grants ($4.5 million) to identify and address statewide, interregional, or regional transportation deficiencies on the State highway system in partnership with Caltrans. A sub-category funds transit-focused planning projects that address multimodal transportation deficiencies.

    • Applications for the FY 2023-24 are closed on March 9, 2023 and the projects accepted will be announced this summer. Stay tuned for funding details for the FY 2024-25 round. 
  • Caltrans created the Clean California Local Grant program to help local communities beautify and improve their local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways, and transit centers.

    • The goals of the Clean CA Local Grant Program are to:

      • Reduce the amount of waste and debris within public rights-of-way, pathways, parks, transit centers, and other public spaces.

      • Enhance, rehabilitate, restore, or install measures to beautify and improve public spaces and mitigate the urban heat island effect.

      • Enhance public health, cultural connection, and community placemaking by improving public spaces for walking and recreation.

      • Advance equity for underserved communities.

    • The application deadline for CCLGP Cycle 2 ended on May 31, 2023. Stay tuned for future funding opportunities. 
  • 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.
  • Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery's (CalRecycle) Rubberized Pavement Grant Program: This program is designed to promote markets for recycled-content surfacing products derived from only California-generated waste tires. It is aimed at encouraging first-time or limited users of rubberized pavement in two project types – Rubberized Asphalt Concrete Hot-Mix (Hot-Mix) and Rubberized Chip Seal (Chip Seal). Applications close on September 13, 2023.
  • 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. The 2022 EEM proposal period closed on June 3, 2022. You can learn more at the program's website.
  • 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:
    • Public transportation projects planned, designed and carried out to meet the needs of seniors and individuals with disablities when public transportation is lacking;
    • Public transportation projects that exceed the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA);
    • Public transportation projects that improve access to fixed-route service and decrease reliance on complementary paratransit; and 
    • Alternatives to public transportation projects that assist seniors and individuals with disabilities with transportation. 
    • The 2023 Call for Projects is anticipated to be released via the BlackCat Transit Data Management System on June 14, 2023.
  • The Funding Wizard is a searchable database to locate funding across state and federal agencies for reducing the impacts of climate change and supporting sustainable communities. 
  • 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. 2023 applications closed on June 1, 2023. Stay tuned for future funding opportunities. 
  • 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 has now closed 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. 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. Stay tuned for future funding opportunity details.
  • 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 United States Code. This program promotes flexibility in State and local transportation decisions and provides flexible funding to best address State and local transportation needs.
  • 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. The 2020 State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) funded the repair and preservation, emergency repairs, safety improvements, and some highway operational improvements on the State Highway System (SHS). SHOPP projects also provide opportunities to address other vital State priorities such as the implementation of Complete Streets elements such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The most recent SHOPP Guidelines were adopted March 17,2022. 
  • State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): The STIP is a multi-year capital improvement program of transportation projects on and off the State Highway System, funded with revenues from the Transportation Investment Fund and other funding sources. STIP programming generally occurs every two years. The programming cycle begins with the release of a proposed fund estimate in July of odd-numbered years, followed by California Transportation Commission (CTC) adoption of the fund estimate in August (odd years). The fund estimate serves to identify the amount of new funds available for the programming of transportation projects. Once the fund estimate is adopted, Caltrans and the regional planning agencies prepare transportation improvement plans for submittal by December 15th (odd years). Caltrans prepare the Interregional Transportation Improvement Plan (ITIP) and regional agencies prepare Regional Transportation Improvement Plans (RTIPs). Public hearings are held in January (even years) in both northern and southern California. The STIP is adopted by the CTC by April (even years). The current adopted 2022 STIP Guidelines (adopted March 16, 2022), project forms and fund estimate information is available here.

  • Sustainable Communities Competitiveis a grant program from Caltrans that funds local and regional projects, including planning for active transportation, safe routes to schools, transit services, vision zero, complete streets, freight corridors, social equity, integrated land use and transportation planning. Those working at metropolitan planning organizations, regional transportation planning agencies, transit agencies, cities and counties, Native American tribal governments, and other public transportation planning entities can apply for grants up to $700,000 to fund their work. The grant application window on March 9, 2023. To learn more visit the grant program page. 

  • Transformative Climate Communities Planning Grant is a program that empowers the communities most impacted by pollution to choose their own goals, strategies, and projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution. TCC’s unique, place-based strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is designed to catalyze collective impact through a combination of community-driven climate projects in a single neighborhood. Planning activities should focus on responding to planning issues or priorities that directly benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities. TCC Planning Grants support planning activities to advance community-led goals and projects. All final Implementation and Planning Grant Applications were due Friday, July 1, 2022. Please contact tcc@sgc.ca.gov if you need any assistance. 

  • 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

Federal Opportunities

  • Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) Grants for Research Fellowship (GRF) provides funding for Masters or Doctoral students in transportation-related disciplines. The funding agency is Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration. Applications closed on April 7, 2023. Stay tuned for future opportunities. 
  • Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) awards 35 grants to support comprehensive planning that supports ridership, multi-modal connectivity and accessibility, and increased transit access for pedestrians and bikers. The funding agency is Department of Transportation/Federal Transit Administration. Applications closed on July 25, 2022. Stay tuned for information on future funding opportunities.
  • 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:
    • Maintenance and restoration of existing trails
    • Purchase and lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment
    • Construction of new trails, including unpaved trails
    • Acquisition of easements or property for trails
    • State-administrative costs related to this program (limited to seven percent of a State's funds)
    • Operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection related to trails (limited to five percent of a State's funds). 
  • 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.

  • U.S. Department of Transportation:

    • DOT Navigator: The DOT Navigator is a new resource to help communities understand the best ways to apply for grants, and to plan for and deliver transformative infrastructure projects and services.
    • Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant Program: This program provides funding for multimodal freight and highway projects of national or regional significance to improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of the movement of freight and people in and across rural and urban areas. Applications are due Aug. 21, 2023. 

    • Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) Grant Program: The NAE Grant Program provides funds for projects that improve walkability, safety, and affordable transportation access through context-sensitive strategies and address existing transportation infrastructure that creates barriers to community connectivity or negative impacts on the human or natural environment, especially in disadvantaged or underserved communities. The program also provides funding for planning and capacity building activities in disadvantaged or underserved communities as well as funding for technical assistance to units of local government to facilitate efficient and effective contracting, design, and project delivery and to build capacity for delivering surface transportation projects.

    • Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program: The $1 billion discretionary grant program was established in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and is the first-ever program to help reconnect communities previously cut off from opportunities by transportation infrastructure, such as highways and rail lines, through solutions like high-quality public transportation, infrastructure removal, and main street revitalization. In Fiscal Year 2022, the RCP Program will provide up to $195 million for public engagement, planning activities, capital construction projects, and technical assistance to reconnect communities where transportation infrastructure has created barriers. The application submission deadline was Thursday, October 13, 2022. Stay tuned for future funding opportunities. 

    • Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program: The BIL created the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, which makes $10 million available over five years to provide states, local governments, and tribal governments with grants to support project development leading to future applications to DOT credit or grant programs. The grants can support legal, technical, and financial advisors to help advance infrastructure projects. The first notice of funding opportunity includes two fiscal years and makes $3.4 million available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit the program page or email RuralandTribalTA@dot.gov. Applications open on August 14 at 2 PM ET and close on September 28, 2023.

    • Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) establishes the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program that will provide $5-6 billion in grants over the next 5 years. Funding supports regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The SS4A program supports Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and a goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways. The fiscal year (FY) 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Safe Streets and Roads for All grants is now open through July 10, 2023. The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Monday, July 10, 2023. For more information, visit the program website. 
    • Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) discretionary grant program with $100 million appropriated annually for fiscal years (FY) 2022-2026. The SMART program was established to provide grants to eligible public sector agencies to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems in order to improve transportation efficiency and safety.The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) closed on November 18, 2022.The next Stage 1 Notice of Funding Opportunity is expected to open in August 2023.

    • The Thriving Communities Program provides intensive technical assistance to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities to help them identify, develop, and deliver transportation and community revitalization opportunities. For the FY 2023 program, DOT has added a Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Program set-aside to which states, Tribes, and regional planning organizations can apply. This set-aside will allow pilot program participants to provide TCP activities at a state or regional scale to communities within their jurisdictions. This year, DOT anticipates funding at least four pilots at approximately $1 million each.

    • Active Transportation Funding and Finance Toolkit (FHWA). This toolkit is for anyone interested in expanding bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. While transportation agencies typically spearhead this type of project, this toolkit also covers projects from a variety of other entities, including community improvement districts, universities, nonprofit organizations, and even a hospital. Public officials and community leaders can also use this toolkit to build support for active transportation and to point to success stories from other communities. The toolkit includes an overview of funding and financing strategies; public-private partnerships; emerging and supporting strategies to deliver active transportation projects; case studies; and additional resources. Visit the toolkit webpage.
    • PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program: This program funds projects that address the climate crisis by improving the resilience of the surface transportation system, including highways, public transportation, ports, and intercity passenger rail. For FY22 and FY23, up to $848 million is available for the PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program.
  • U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA):
    • Pedestrian and Bicycle Funding Opportunities: This table provides potential eligibility for pedestrian and bicycle projects under U.S. Department of Transportation surface transportation funding programs.
    • Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund: Transportation fatalities and injuries severely impact the quality of life in Indian country.  Each year under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), as enacted by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), 4% of the available TTP funds are set aside to address transportation safety issues identified by federally recognized Indian tribes through a competitive, discretionary program. Projects are chosen whose outcomes will reduce fatal and serious injuries in transportation related incidents, such as motor vehicle crashes. The FY2022-2026 TTP Safety Fund Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the TTP Safety Fund was published on June 7, 2022.  The application deadline for the FY2023 funding cycle closed on March 9, 2023. 

  • 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. 

Outside Opportunities

  • AARP Community Challenge

    • The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. In 2023, the AARP Community Challenge is accepting applications across three different grant opportunities: flagship grants, capacity-building microgrants, and demonstration grants. Applications are accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more.To be eligible for the program, you must be a 501(C)(3), 501(C)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofit, a government entity, or another type of organization which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Although communities that belong to the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities are encouraged to apply, projects that benefit any community and satisfy all other criteria are eligible for consideration. More information can be found here.Applications for the 2023 cycle closed on March 15. Stay tuned for future opportunities. 

  • America Walks 2023 Community Change Grant

    • America Walks and generous Active People, Health Nations partners are excited to announce another round of their popular Community Change Grant program. This program will award grantees $1,500 in community stipends for projects related to creating healthy, active, and engaged places to live, work and play. The goal for this year’s grant awards is to knit together seemingly disparate threads too often considered in isolation, including, but not limited to: racism and the public sphere; climate and environmental justice; access and inclusion; walking and moving as a mechanism for bringing about political change; and how COVID-19, the need for economic recovery and a growing awakening around racial injustice might alter the landscape of our work. The program aim is for proposed projects to have a particular focus on engaging in key issues of the day with new perspectives and diverse partners/ audiences while highlighting the vital role that walking and transportation patterns can play in a new era. Applications closed on March 15, 2023. Stay tuned for future opportunities. 

  • Better Bike Share Mini-Grants

    • The PeopleForBikes Foundation, as part of the Better Bike Share Partnership, is accepting applications for their Better Bike Share Mini-Grants program. Applicants chosen will receive a mini-grant of $10,000 to $25,000 to support programs or events in 2023. Those at non-profit community-based organizations, cities, or shared mobility operators are eligible to apply and their projects must have the broad goal of increasing access to and use of shared micromobility options in low-income and/or communities of color. Those interested in applying can visit the grant guidelines page and download the application. Those with questions can email PeopleForBikes’ Partnership and Program Manager, Tangier Barnes Wright, at tangier@peopleforbikes.org. Applications are closed on March 31, 2023. Stay tuned for future funding opportunities. 

  • Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure

    • The Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI) is a competitive grant program led in partnership with the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) to spur innovative changes to bicycling infrastructure worldwide. The program provides recipients the opportunity to: fund their ambitious cycling infrastructure projects; refine their project plans with technical assistance from GDCI; track progress on their projects with trainings on data collection, resident engagement and other industry best practices; and connect with a global network of peers. 

      • Applications closed on February 3, 2023. Stay tuned for future funding opportunities. 

    • Asphalt Art Initiative Grant Program: is designed to fund visual art on roadways, pedestrian spaces, and public infrastructure in cities. Typically, the projects are painted murals, organized in collaboration between city governments and local communities, with the following primary goals: Improving street and pedestrian safety, revitalizing and activating underutilized public space, and promoting collaboration and civic engagement in local communities.
      • The current round of the Asphalt Art Initiative grant application is open to all cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The deadline to apply is June 12, 2023. For more information on the program and how to apply, visit the Asphalt Art Initiative page
  • Intersections Initiative: The Intersections Initiative connects community leaders, organizations, and local government agencies to technical assistance and funding that make our streets safer and more accessible for people to walk, roll, and bike.

  • League of American Bicyclists' Community Sparks Program

    • The League of American Bicyclists launched their Community Sparks Program to be able to help continue the momentum for biking across the country. The program is meant to empower communities to create more Bicycle Friendly Communities through funding bike-related projects. The League will award 18 grants of up to $1,500 to organizations seeking to improve their communities through biking. To be eligible to apply, organizations must be based in the United States and be a non-profit (501c3, 501c4 and 501c6) and/or a public or government agency/organization. The Community Spark Grant application period closed onApril 7, 2023. Stay tuned for future funding opportunities. 

  • National Center for Mobility Mangagement: Community Mobility Ready-to-Launch Grants 

    • The National Center for Mobility Management's (NCMM)Community Mobility Ready-to-Launch Grants program provides grants up to $75,000 to non-profits or government agencies to fund the pilot phase of an already designed solution to allow low-income community members to become more fully engaged in economic opportunities, improve their health and well-being, and/or become more integrated into their community. The Ready-to-Launch grants are supported with funding from the Federal Transit Administration and open to any non-profit or government agency that is able to receive, or be a subrecipient of, federal funding. Applications closed on October 15, 2021. Stay tuned for future funding opportunity details.

  • Outride

    • The Outride Fund empowers communities to launch youth cycling programs. Through matching grants (dollar-for-dollar) in youth cycling education, youth rider development, or for trails and pump track projects, the Outride Fund makes fundraising faster and easier. In an Outride Grant, an organization launches a fundraising campaign with Outride’s fundraising platform and applies for match funds up to $15,000. Historically, the Outride Fund has awarded over $500,000 in matching grants to dozens of organizations across the country. Applications for the Spring grant cycle closed on February 6, 2023. Stay tuned for future opportunities. 

    • Riding for Focus (R4F) is a middle school-based PE program developed as a result of initial research findings. The program promotes cycling as an outlet for students to improve their cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional well-being. Schools can acquire R4F via two pathways - by purchasing the program, or for schools serving marginalized communities, by applying for a program grant. Schools are provided with everything they need to get their 6th-8th grade students riding, including bikes, helmets, curriculum, and intensive teacher training. Riding for Focus has been implemented in nearly 200 schools—providing cycling education and access to 50,000 students to bikes during their school day—and 57% of schools in our R4F network serve communities where the majority of their students qualify for free/reduced lunches. Applications for the Summer 2023 cycle closed in Spring 2023. Stay tuned for future funding opportunity details. 

  • Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants

    • The Road to Zero Coalition, founded in 2016 as a partnership between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Safety Council, has launched the 2022 Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants. The program focuses on innovative and promising approaches for implementing evidence-based countermeasures, supporting a Safe System Approach, and performing necessary research to address traffic fatalities and improve traffic safety. Applicants must be a Road to Zero Coalition Member (easy to join for free here) and proposed projects should have measurable objectives and generalizable results. Applications closed on January 6, 2023. Stay tuned for future funding opportunities. 

  • Safe Routes to Parks Accelerator Program
    • The program will help interagency teams from three states make funding and practice changes to support safe, convenient, and equitable access to parks and other everyday destinations across their respective states. Each state will assemble a Safe Routes to Parks team that includes representatives from various state agencies, including, but not limited to transportation, public health, and conservation & natural resources. Over 12 months, Safe Routes Partnership will provide consulting services customized to support each state team.

    • Each team is required to fill out a brief form and submit a 1-2 page Letter of Interest that highlights why they would like to participate in the program. Letters of interest are due by October 9, 2023 and can be emailed to parks@saferoutespartnership.org. If you have any questions, please email parks@saferoutespartnership.org.

    • The Community Connectors program aims to help advance locally-driven projects that will reconnect communities separated or harmed by transportation infrastructure and tap available federal and state funds to support them. Public entities and nonprofit organizations may apply together as small teams to receive grants of up to $130,000 each for capacity building to advance these projects. In addition to the grant, the selected teams will also receive customized technical assistance and participate in a learning exchange program over the subsequent 18-24 months, which includes a required convening in Atlanta, GA in November 2023.

    • Applications are due before July 15, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. For more information and to apply, visit the Community Connectors website. 

  • Streets for Kids Leadership Accelerator
    • The Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) has opened applications for the Streets for Kids Leadership Accelerator professional development program. Program participants are eligible for project implementation grants of up to $20,000 to support local projects. The Accelerator encourages applications from teams of three people from the same city, that represent an interdisciplinary group of government departments and other organizations. Applications closed on Friday, March 18, 2022. Stay tuned for future funding opportunity details.
  • Transportation for America Community Connectors Portal
    • Transporation for America's Community Connectors portal provides the tools and information needed for advocates to navigate the oftentimes complex and confusing maze of programs, acronyms, and decision points that determine what projects get built with federal and state transportation dollars. Check out the portal today!

Conceptual Approaches to Funding

Integration into Larger Projects “Routine accommodation” policies at Caltrans and MTC require agencies to design, construct, operate, and maintain transportation facilities using best practices for pedestrians and bicyclists. Local jurisdictions can begin to expect that some portion of pedestrian and bicyclist project costs, when they are built as part of larger transportation projects, will be covered in project construction budgets.
New Construction Future construction projects are a means of providing sidewalks and other pedestrian facilities. To ensure that roadway construction projects provide facilities where needed and feasible, it is important that an effective review process be in place so that new roads meet the counties’ and cities’ standards and guidelines for the development of sidewalks and pedestrian facilities. A developer may also attempt to reduce the number of trips (and hence impacts and cost) by paying for on- and off-site bicycle and pedestrian improvements designed to encourage residents, employees and visitors to the new development to walk rather than drive.
Parks and Recreation  Funds are generally derived from property and sales taxes and some fee revenues, and they are sometimes used directly for pathway or pathway-related facilities, including bathrooms, pocket parks, lighting, parking, and landscaping.
Special Improvement Districts Counties and cities may establish special improvement districts to provide funding for specified public improvement projects within the designated district. Business Improvement Districts and Special Assessment Districts are example of special improvement districts.

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