Funding Walkability Projects
Define Your Walkability Project
Getting funding starts with a clear project. The more specific you are about what needs to be built, how much it costs, and when it can happen, the easier it is to make the case and secure support.
- Identify something concrete. It can be as simple as a crosswalk or as complicated as a corridor safety redesign—one big project or a series of small ones.
- No project yet? A volunteer walk audit or a small planning grant can be your first step. Defining a project is often a multi-step process.
- Build your coalition early. Winning implementation funds takes public support, not just a good idea.
- Identify where the money comes from. Planning can draw from private or public sources, but implementation almost always requires government funding. It’s typically at a scale beyond what philanthropy can cover.
Finding Money for Your Project
Funding is out there. There are many ways to pay for walkability projects, from local budgets to state and federal dollars to grants. The key is making your project a priority. If it matters to your community, it can be funded.
- Look beyond a single funding source. States, counties, and cities spend far more on transportation than federal dollars alone. Many of those funds are flexible and can support walking projects.
- Check the general fund. Transportation is often funded outside of dedicated transportation taxes, so the money may be there even when officials say it isn’t.
- “No money” often means “not a priority.” When officials say they can’t afford a $30,000 crosswalk while a $1 billion highway project moves forward, that’s a priorities problem. Build public support and make them reexamine it.
- Pursue grants, but don’t rely on them alone. Specialized grant programs are worth applying for, many are listed below. But if they don’t come through, state and local governments can still fund your project.
Resources
Federal and State Funding Resources
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Funding Opportunities: U.S. Department of Transportation Highway, Transit, and Safety Funds
- Understanding Your State’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Information Sheet
Non-Governmental Funding Sources
- America Walks Community Change Grants
- AARP Community Challenge
- T-Mobile Hometown Grants (hosted by Main Street America)
- Bike League Community Sparks Grants
- Project for Public Spaces Community Placemaking Grants
- 2025 Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grants
- American Trails’ Trails Capacity Program
Toolkits
- AARP Walk Audit Tool Kit
- Try Before You Buy: How Pop-Up Projects Lead to Big-Time Investments
- Quick Builds & Complete Streets
- Community Connectors Portal: Tools for Advocates
Data
Local Examples
Want To Go Deeper?
Want to go deeper? Watch this pre-recorded webinar featuring Beth Osborne of Smart Growth America and Marisa Jones of Safe Routes Partnership to learn about national and state funding options for your community’s walkability project.
