Central Coalition for Roadway Safety’s community grants

The Central Coalition for Roadway Safety offers community grant funding to support initiatives that advance roadway safety in Missouri’s central region. The Coalition is a regional partnership that brings together safety advocates, law enforcement, public health representatives, businesses, schools, and community organizations. It is aligned with Missouri’s statewide Show-Me Zero Strategic Highway Safety Plan, which outlines a long-term vision to reduce and ultimately eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The program is funded through state highway safety resources administered in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation. The grant’s purpose is to provide targeted financial support for projects that address specific roadway safety emphasis areas. Applicants must align proposals with at least one of the core priority topics identified in Show-Me Zero, including occupant protection, distracted driving, speed and aggressive driving, and impaired driving. These priorities were selected based on their high association with traffic crashes that result in fatalities and serious injuries across Missouri. Funding may be used for educational initiatives, enforcement support, outreach campaigns, or demonstrations that promote safer driving behaviors and reduce high-risk activities on public roads. Funding is limited and structured to provide modest but impactful support. The maximum award amount is $5,000 per project, with further restrictions applied to certain event-based initiatives. For example, Project Graduation and alternative prom events may qualify for up to $200 in direct grant support along with an additional $100 for giveaway incentives. School docudramas focused on impaired or distracted driving and seat belt use may request up to $700. These limitations reflect the Coalition’s goal of distributing funds broadly to reach a wide variety of communities and audiences across the central region. Eligibility for the program is intentionally broad to encourage participation from diverse sectors. Law enforcement agencies, health departments, schools, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and businesses are all eligible to apply. The Coalition emphasizes inclusivity to ensure that resources are available to any local entity with a credible plan to promote roadway safety. Applications must demonstrate how the proposed activities will directly advance the emphasis areas of Show-Me Zero and show a clear link to reducing risky driving behaviors within the service area. The application process is straightforward and conducted online through the Missouri Department of Transportation’s website. Applicants must complete the official funding request form and submit all required information by the published deadline. The current funding cycle is open and accepting applications through October 15. Proposals are reviewed by the Central Coalition for Roadway Safety, which evaluates alignment with program goals, potential impact, and feasibility. Award notifications typically follow shortly after the deadline to ensure funded projects can be implemented in a timely manner. The Coalition highlights that this is a recurring program that supports roadway safety efforts on an annual basis. Future cycles are expected to reopen each fall, consistent with the timing of Missouri’s broader highway safety planning framework. As of the current cycle, applications opened in September 2025 and will close on October 15, 2025. Based on the recurring structure, the next cycle is anticipated to open in September 2026. Organizations interested in future rounds are encouraged to monitor the Coalition’s website for updated deadlines and new program information.

Proposals should clearly align with Show-Me Zero emphasis areas, demonstrating direct impact on reducing risky driving behaviors.