You’ve started to build momentum in your community for a gathering place, a safer way to cross a street, or a more vibrant main street. The little things that make a big difference. But you need money to take it to the next level, especially since your local government doesn’t have the funds to help. Where do you look next for dollars?
Following a webinar on Funding for Walkability, we’ve gathered a list of resources to help community champions identify non-governmental funding sources for their on-the-ground walkability projects.
While none of these will fund big capital projects. That will take local, state and maybe federal sources to implement. But they can fund smaller pilots, community engagement, and incremental improvements and can help build public support for larger projects.
Grant Opportunities
- America Walks Community Change Grants to catalyze local action to support walking and movement.
- AARP Community Challenge is an annual “quick-action” grant program to fund local projects that help make communities more livable for people of all ages. Check out their Flagship Grantees.
- Main Street America hosts the T-Mobile Hometown Grants. Up to 100 small towns with a population of 50,000 or less receive placemaking project funding of up to $50,000 each.
- Bike League Community Sparks Grants awards organizations for projects and programs that spark change and catalyze a community’s ability to create places where bicycling is safer, easier, and more accessible.
- Project for Public Spaces Community Placemaking Grants enable US-based nonprofits and government agencies to work directly with local stakeholders to transform public spaces or co-create new ones
- 2025 Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grants of $500 and $1,000 to celebrate local action and creative and impactful ways to bring Ruby’s legacy to life in your community.
- American Trails’ Trails Capacity Program funds projects across the U.S. that strategically improve the abilities and capacity of the trails community as a whole.
Looking for more? Keep an eye on this resource link from Main Street America.
For local or regional philanthropies that may consider supporting your efforts, take a look at this Community Foundation Locator.
Know of another program? Email social@americawalks.org to let us know!
Photo credit: Mx. Granger
