Mini Grant

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) administers the Safe Routes to School Mini Grants program, which is part of the city’s broader efforts to promote transportation safety and equitable access. The program specifically funds initiatives that encourage safe walking, biking, and rolling to school. Rooted in SDOT’s mission to ensure that Seattle’s transportation system is safe and accessible for all residents, this grant is a localized effort to support healthier commuting habits and increase student safety through community-driven projects. Mini Grants are open to all public and private K-12 schools, Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), and nonprofit community groups operating within Seattle. The Mini Grants program offers funding up to $1,500 per applicant, with the intent of supporting creative, grassroots projects that contribute to a safer and more engaging school commute. Eligible expenditures include physical infrastructure enhancements, event support, educational materials, and safety equipment. Specific uses allowed under the grant include intersection murals, traffic circulation improvements on school grounds, pedestrian crossing flags, and clothing for Title 1 schools such as coats and rain gear to support students commuting in adverse weather. The grants also support event-based initiatives such as Walk and Bike to School days, Bike Rodeos, and the formation of Walking or Bike Buses. Applications for the Mini Grants are accepted on a rolling basis, allowing eligible groups to apply at any time throughout the year. This flexibility is designed to accommodate diverse program calendars and planning cycles within schools and community organizations. All applications must be accompanied by a Principal Letter of Support, which briefly affirms the principal’s awareness and support for the proposed project. The letter should include a description of the project scope and the applicant’s role in its implementation. Upon submission, applicants can expect to receive a response from the grant coordinator within one month. To apply, prospective grantees must first create an account on the City of Seattle’s Grants Management System (Fluxx) at https://seattle.fluxx.io. The online system guides users through the registration, application, and document submission process. Organizations applying as community groups without a tax ID must identify a fiscal sponsor during the application. All final reports for awarded grants are due within one year of funding receipt and are submitted via the same grant portal. The reporting requirement is streamlined to reduce administrative burden. Notably, while the grant supports a wide array of safe travel-related activities and materials, the purchase of bicycles is explicitly excluded from both mini-grants and pre-packaged support offerings. For applicants interested in pre-designed Walking and Biking packages, SDOT offers these kits for quicker turnaround. However, if the standard packages do not meet the needs of the applicant, a Mini Grant allows for custom requests. The grant is issued once per year per applicant, and organizations are encouraged to tailor their applications to best suit the unique challenges and opportunities within their school communities. Applicants requiring assistance can contact the grant coordinator, Sam Brooks, at [email protected] or call (425) 691-0865. Additional support materials, including a guide to account setup and a promotional video featuring successful applicants, are available to help users navigate the process. The Safe Routes to School Mini Grant program remains a vital component of SDOT’s larger vision for a thriving and equitable Seattle supported by dependable and inclusive transportation systems.