Transportation Grants

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) grant program, administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), offers funding to municipalities to tackle greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation and climate change adaptation at a local level. The program is designed to align with broader environmental conservation goals by fostering resilience and reducing environmental impact within New York State communities. It supports projects that either reduce GHG emissions or adapt to the changing climate, directly contributing to a more sustainable future for the state's residents and natural resources. The primary beneficiaries of this program are municipalities across New York State, including counties, cities, towns, villages, and boroughs. The grant aims to reduce risks from climate hazards and decrease GHG emissions, ultimately improving the quality of life and environmental safety for residents. The impact goals are centered on building local capacity to respond to climate change, whether through direct implementation projects or through certification activities that enhance planning and assessment capabilities. The program prioritizes projects that fall into two main categories: Implementation and Certification. Implementation projects are further divided into GHG Mitigation (e.g., reduction of vehicle miles traveled, organic waste, refrigerant management, renewable energy in low-income housing) and Climate Adaptation (reducing risks to residents, infrastructure, and/or natural resources from changing climate hazards). Certification projects focus on assessments, inventories, and planning activities that help municipalities achieve or work towards certified Climate Smart Community status. Projects must demonstrate an ability to identify, mitigate, and/or adapt to climate change vulnerability and risk or demonstrate potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through various mitigation strategies and a meaningful decrease in climate-related risks for residents, infrastructure, and natural resources. For certification projects, the expected outcome is an increased local capacity to respond to climate change, leading to more informed planning and future grant applications. The grant explicitly states that implementation projects must have a minimum useful life of 10 years, ensuring long-term impact. The strategic priority is to empower local governments to take concrete actions against climate change, with a clear theory of change that by funding targeted projects and capacity-building efforts, the state can achieve significant environmental improvements and enhance community resilience.

The Circle Michigan Foundation Field Trip Transportation Grant Program is designed to provide financial assistance for transportation to Michigan schools. This program aligns with the Foundation's mission to support educational institutions within the State of Michigan, specifically K-12 educational institutions, by removing financial barriers to field trip participation. The grant aims to facilitate enriching educational experiences for students that might otherwise be inaccessible due to transportation costs. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are K-12 educational institutions located in Michigan, serving all counties within the state. The primary impact goal is to enable a greater number of students to participate in field trips, thereby enhancing their learning experiences and exposure to diverse educational opportunities. The Foundation prioritizes supporting schools in Michigan to ensure that students across the state have equitable access to these valuable educational outings. The program focuses on providing transportation grants, addressing a specific and often significant cost associated with field trips. While the exact size of individual grants is not available, the program is designed for a duration of less than one year, with an application period from April 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, and a deadline for applications on June 30, 2024. This structured timeline ensures efficient allocation of funds for the upcoming academic year's field trip planning. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of field trips undertaken by Michigan schools and a corresponding increase in student participation. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of grants awarded, the schools benefiting, and potentially the number of students impacted. The Circle Michigan Foundation's strategic priority in this instance is to directly invest in the educational development of Michigan's youth by ensuring access to practical, outside-the-classroom learning experiences. Their theory of change suggests that by alleviating transportation costs, more students will be able to engage in educational field trips, leading to improved learning outcomes and broader experiential knowledge.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is offering a grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to municipalities in New York for the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and installation of electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fuel filling stations, with a total of $750,000 available in the seventh round of the Municipal ZEV Rebate Program.

Pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, Pub. L. 118-42, the Federal Railroad Administration is to make available to Amtrak $758,036,398 to cover Operating, Capital, and Debt Service which will be used until December 31, 2026, or until expended. In order to receive these funds, Amtrak must complete the grant application and submit the following items electronically: (a) Application for Federal Assistance SF-424; (b) Statement of Work, (c) A description of the projected operating and capital costs for the upcoming fiscal year for Northeast Corridor activities, including train services and infrastructure, and National Network activities, including State-supported routes and long-distance routes, in comparison to prior fiscal year actual financial performance; (d) A description of the capital projects to be funded, with cost estimates and an estimated timetable for completion of the projects covered by the request; (e) a description of the status of efforts to improve Amtraks safety culture; (f) SF-424B Assurances Non-Construction Programs; (g) SF- 424D Assurances Construction Programs; and (h) Signed copies of the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Assurances and Certification forms (http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/admin/assurancesandcertifications.pdf).

Pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, Pub. L.118-42, the Federal Railroad Administration is to make available to Amtrak $582,742,520 to cover Capital and Debt Service which will be used until December 31, 2026, or until expended. In order to receive these funds, Amtrak must complete the grant application and submit the following items electronically: (a) Application for Federal Assistance SF-424; (b) Statement of Work; (c) A description of the projected operating and capital costs for the upcoming fiscal year for Northeast Corridor activities, including train services and infrastructure, and National Network activities, including State-supported routes and long-distance routes, in comparison to prior fiscal year actual financial performance; (d) A description of the capital projects to be funded, with cost estimates and an estimated timetable for completion of the projects covered by the request; (e) a description of the status of efforts to improve Amtraks safety culture; (f) SF-424B Assurances Non-Construction Program (g) SF-424D Assurances Construction Programs; and (h) Signed copies of the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Assurances and Certification forms (http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/admin/assurancesandcertifications.pdf).

The Small Community Program was established by the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (Pub. L. No. 106-181), reauthorized by the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Pub. L. No. 108-176), and subsequently reauthorized by the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. No. 112-95) as amended, the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017 (Pub. L. No. 115-63), the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Pub. L. No. 115-254) (FAA 2018), and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Pub L. No. 118-63, May 16, 2024 (FAA 2024). The program is codified at 49 U.S.C. 41743. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to small communities to help them enhance their air service. The Department seeks to fund projects that advance the Departmental priorities of safety, equity, climate and sustainability, and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation as described in the USDOT Strategic Plan, Research, Development and Technology Strategic Plan, and in executive orders.[1] The Department provides this assistance in the form of grants that are disbursed on a reimbursable basis. The Small Community Program is authorized to receive appropriations under 49 U.S.C. 41743(e)(2). Appropriations are provided for this program for award selection in FY 2023 pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. No. 117-328).[2] B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION No more than four communities or consortia of communities, or a combination thereof, from the same State may be selected to participate in the program in any fiscal year. No more than 40 communities or consortia of communities, or a combination thereof, may be selected to participate in the program in each year for which the funds are appropriated. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not eligible to compete. Pursuant to the authorities described above, the Department will make up to $12 million available for FY 2023 grant awards to carry out this program. There is no minimum or maximum individual award amount, and the amounts awarded will vary depending upon the features and merits of the selected applications. In past years, the Departments individual grant sizes have ranged from $20,000 to nearly $1.6 million. Funding amounts made available for reimbursement may be impacted by future limitations placed on the spending authority and appropriations enacted for the Department. The Department may, at its discretion, issue partial funding awards up to the level authorized and provided that the above conditions are met. Additional information on the budget process may be found in OMB A-11: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-for-agencies/circulars/. Finally, as more fully discussed in Section E.1.a below, the Department intends to award FY 2023 grants for durations of three years to complete studies, four years for marketing and promotion (including advertising and public relations) of the airport, community, carrier, or destination, and five years for projects that target a revenue guarantee, subsidy, or other financial incentives. .

The Connection, Health, & Equity through Food (CHEF) Grant Program is a collaborative initiative across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Eastern Massachusetts, and Upstate New York, administered by the Maine Council on Aging. The program's core mission is to increase older adults’ equitable access to healthy food and social connection, aligning with a broader goal of addressing systemic issues like food insecurity and social isolation. This grant program seeks to support older adults by fostering programmatic infrastructure, expanding existing programs, and launching innovative new initiatives that cater to their food and social connection needs. The target beneficiaries of the CHEF Grant Program are primarily older adults, with a specific focus on underserved and marginalized populations. These include BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), LGBTQ+, women, veterans, people living with disabilities, and individuals residing in rural communities. The program's impact goals are centered on enhancing the quality of life for these older adults by improving their access to nutritious food and opportunities for social engagement. Projects that serve diverse older people, veterans, and older people living with disabilities are given priority. The CHEF program prioritizes finding solutions to the root causes of food insecurity and social isolation. These root causes include poverty, transportation barriers, rurality, and language barriers. While the grant does not explicitly detail the foundation's strategic priorities or a formal theory of change, the emphasis on equitable access, addressing systemic issues, and supporting vulnerable populations suggests a strategy focused on community-based interventions and empowerment. The program's design indicates a theory that by investing in local organizations and initiatives, significant improvements can be made in the well-being of older adults. Expected outcomes include increased access to healthy food for older adults, enhanced social connections within communities, and a reduction in the prevalence of food insecurity and social isolation among the target populations. While specific measurable results are not explicitly outlined, the program's focus on data for older people served (50.1% of the overall population served) suggests an intent to track the reach and impact on the primary beneficiary group. The grant duration is not mentioned, but the anticipated grant size of $2,000 – $10,000 for most grants indicates support for projects with tangible, localized impacts.

The purpose of this NOFO is to provide grants on a competitive basis for projects that seek to achieve a reduction in the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions; and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species (Title 23, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 171).

The Jefferson Foundation provides grants for charitable and educational activities focused on promoting individual and community health and well-being. Their mission is directly aligned with increasing the health and well-being of Jefferson County residents through various initiatives. The grants are designed to support activities in program support, capacity building, and capital projects, reflecting a comprehensive approach to community development and health improvement. The target beneficiaries are residents of Jefferson County, MO, with an emphasis on supporting qualified public charities and government units that serve this population. The overarching impact goal is to enhance the health and well-being of these residents by addressing critical areas such as academic scholarships, basic needs (food, shelter, rent/mortgage, utilities), dental services, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and treatment, and mental health counseling. Other key areas include exercise and healthy lifestyle education, foster care and adoption services, health-related education, homelessness and domestic violence shelters, medical equipment, obesity, physical and mental disabilities, prescription assistance, preventative health care, safe housing, and transportation assistance. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly focused on community health, with a theory of change that by funding targeted programs and services, they can create a healthier and more stable community. They prioritize direct services and support within the county, ensuring that the grants have a tangible impact on the lives of residents. This is evident in their specific grant topics and the geographical restriction to Jefferson County. Expected outcomes include improved access to essential services for residents, increased capacity for local organizations, and the successful implementation of capital projects that serve the community. Measurable results would stem from the effectiveness of programs in addressing the identified grant topics, such as a reduction in drug and alcohol abuse, improved access to dental care, or increased participation in healthy lifestyle education. The foundation's requirement for progress and final grant reports suggests a commitment to tracking these outcomes and ensuring accountability.

The Vermont Community Foundation's grant program seeks proposals from Vermont villages, towns, and cities to close the opportunity gap by fostering inclusion and belonging for people of all races and backgrounds. This initiative aligns with the Foundation's mission to support local governments in removing structural barriers and building a more inclusive and diverse state. Developed in collaboration with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and Vermont’s Office of Racial Equity, the program primarily supports communities participating in the IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Action, and Leadership) Vermont program, though limited grants are also available for non-participating communities. The target beneficiaries of this program are all people within Vermont communities, particularly those who may feel excluded, discriminated against, or fear visiting, living, or conducting business due to a reputation for exclusion, intolerance, or bias. The program specifically aims to benefit Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals by ensuring they feel safe and supported, thereby enabling their recruitment and leadership in businesses and local governing bodies. The overall impact goal is to cultivate communities where all residents feel connected and safe, regardless of their background or how long they have resided there. The program prioritizes a range of activities designed to meet locally defined community needs. These include funding for consultant-led work, such as introductory and implicit bias trainings, equity assessments, planning efforts, and reviews of hiring practices. Additionally, the program focuses on supporting community-wide conversations, the creation and work of municipal equity committees, and providing stipends for community members to ensure their involvement is appropriately compensated (e.g., for time off work, childcare, or transportation). This flexible approach acknowledges that communities are at different stages in their equity journey and require varied support. Expected outcomes include a reduction in feelings of fear or exclusion within communities, increased recruitment and leadership of BIPOC individuals in local businesses and governance, and enhanced capacity for educators, students, local leaders, and families to address discrimination and bias effectively. Measurable results will stem from the progress municipalities make in their learning and actions related to equity and inclusion. While not explicitly detailing a 'theory of change,' the Foundation's strategic priority is clearly to empower local governments as leaders in fostering a more equitable and inclusive Vermont by providing resources that facilitate ongoing progress rather than expecting a single project to resolve all challenges.

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is offering Community Grants for Health & Wellness to enhance the health of the region's residents. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to improve community well-being by addressing critical health disparities. The program focuses on the understanding that various factors, including genetics, education, individual behavior, environment, and access to quality healthcare, contribute to a person's overall health and wellness. The foundation's strategic approach is to support programs that tackle these multifaceted challenges, particularly for under-resourced populations. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are residents of South Hampton Roads, including specific counties and cities within Virginia, who face health disparities and challenges in accessing quality healthcare. The program targets individuals in Chesapeake, the Eastern Shore of Virginia (Accomack and Northampton counties), Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. The impact goal is to improve the health status of these populations by increasing access to essential health services and promoting healthy behaviors. The program prioritizes efforts that support participant access to primary, dental, and/or mental/behavioral health services, including substance/drug abuse treatment. A significant focus is also placed on sustained programs that encourage healthy behaviors known to reduce chronic diseases such as Type II diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease, especially in populations with high rates of health disparity. Preference will be given to programs that emphasize improving participants' health literacy, indicating a strategic focus on empowering individuals with knowledge to make informed health decisions. Expected outcomes include individuals with health disparities connecting with a medical home and receiving care/treatment that leads to an improved health status. For oral care programs, the outcome is that individuals complete a dental treatment plan. Improved behavioral health needs or conditions of clients are also a key outcome. Measurable results will include participants increasing their knowledge of chronic disease conditions and exhibiting healthy behaviors that lead to improved health, thereby contributing to the foundation's broader theory of change which posits that increased access, education, and behavioral changes will lead to a healthier community.

The Climate Solutions & Equity Grant program, initiated by Drawdown Georgia, is designed to accelerate the organization's core mission: to advance achievable climate solutions while prioritizing equity across the state of Georgia. This grant directly aligns with Drawdown Georgia's broader strategic priorities by focusing on tangible, scalable climate actions that simultaneously address social disparities. The program's theory of change posits that by investing in and empowering under-invested BIPOC communities, climate solutions can be effectively scaled, leading to both environmental improvements and enhanced community well-being. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are under-invested Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities in Georgia. The program explicitly recognizes the present-day legacy of enslavement and colonialism in the state, and therefore strongly encourages applications from and for Black and Indigenous communities. The impact goal is to fund projects that not only scale climate solutions but also actively prioritize equity, ensuring that these historically disinvested communities benefit directly from the proposed work and are centered in its implementation. The grant prioritizes projects that will focus on 10 specific climate solutions: Alternative Transportation, Composting, Climate Smart Agriculture, Energy Efficiency Improvements, Food Waste Reduction, Large Scale Solar, Plant Based Diet, Rooftop Solar, Tree planting, and Wetlands Protection. These solutions were selected based on their fit with the capabilities, budgets, and social capital of nonprofit organizations and networks that the grant aims to support. The program seeks to fund a cohort of projects from across Georgia that demonstrate a commitment to these communities and have BIPOC leadership within their staff, programs, and/or board of directors. Expected outcomes include the scaling of climate solutions within under-invested BIPOC communities across Georgia, leading to measurable environmental benefits and improved social equity. The grant anticipates funding up to five two-year projects, with individual grants potentially reaching up to $100,000 per year. Measurable results will be tied to the implementation and success of projects centered around the 10 identified climate solutions, with an emphasis on how these initiatives directly benefit the target communities.

The Wispact Inc. Foundation offers charitable grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities. This grant program directly aligns with the foundation's mission to enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities by supporting organizations that provide critical services. The foundation's strategic priority is to address a range of needs that improve daily living conditions and foster greater independence and inclusion for this population across all counties in Wisconsin. The target beneficiaries of these grants are individuals with disabilities throughout the state of Wisconsin. The foundation aims to achieve significant impact by funding programs that provide safe living environments, increase accessibility, offer essential assistive devices, and promote inclusive educational and recreational opportunities. The ultimate goal is to improve day-to-day living conditions, enhance accessibility, provide necessary support, and foster personal fulfillment and edification for people with disabilities. The Wispact Foundation's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined, including housing programs designed to improve living conditions and accessibility, provision of assistive devices such as canes, wheelchairs, and shower chairs, and inclusive education/recreation programs like workshops, summer camps, and art classes, along with educational equipment. The foundation also prioritizes the expansion of current services and transportation solutions, recognizing these as critical components for independent living and community integration. Expected outcomes include improved living conditions and accessibility for individuals with disabilities, increased access to assistive devices that aid in daily tasks, and greater participation in educational and recreational activities. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of individuals served by housing improvements, assistive device provisions, and participation in educational and recreational programs, as well as the expansion of existing services and improved transportation access. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in these key areas, they can create tangible, positive changes in the lives of people with disabilities, leading to greater independence, dignity, and community engagement. The Wispact Foundation strictly outlines eligibility criteria and restrictions to ensure that grants effectively serve their intended purpose. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits in good standing, and all grant funds must exclusively benefit individuals with disabilities. The foundation does not support capital campaigns, general operating expenses unrelated to the grant purpose, retroactive funding, basic research, staff development activities, or projects that already have existing funding, thereby ensuring that resources are directed towards specific, impactful initiatives.

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation's Economic Stability Community Grants program aims to empower individuals facing barriers to achieve stability, self-sufficiency, and prosperity. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's core mission and belief that the region thrives when all residents have opportunities and support to lead self-determined lives. By fostering economic stability, the foundation seeks to create an environment where children can learn and grow, individuals can pursue their aspirations, and the anxieties associated with economic insecurity are alleviated. The program focuses on a strategic approach to address systemic challenges that prevent individuals from achieving economic well-being. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are people with barriers to success and low-income individuals residing in South Hampton Roads, including specific counties in Virginia such as Accomack, Northampton, Franklin, and Isle of Wight, as well as the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. The overarching impact goal is to facilitate a pathway for these individuals to become stable, self-sufficient, and prosperous, thereby strengthening the entire region. The foundation's theory of change posits that by providing targeted support in key areas, individuals can overcome economic disadvantages and build a more secure future for themselves and their families. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined across three main areas. Firstly, it seeks to end homelessness by supporting programs that provide safe and affordable housing, along with supportive services to ensure long-term housing stability. Secondly, it emphasizes workforce readiness, training, and certification acquisition, connecting low-income individuals to employment opportunities, with a preference for programs that offer support to maintain employment for at least one year. Thirdly, the program promotes the development of sound financial education and savings programs to help low-income individuals build financial assets for long-term economic well-being. These strategic priorities aim to address the root causes of economic instability. The Hampton Roads Community Foundation outlines clear expected outcomes and measurable results for grant proposals. These include individuals and families experiencing homelessness being permanently housed in safe/affordable housing and remaining there for at least one year. Economically disadvantaged adults are expected to develop job-relevant skills and maintain employment for at least one year. Underemployed individuals should secure higher-wage positions post-training and remain employed for at least one year. Finally, economically disadvantaged individuals are expected to improve their financial literacy, participate in banking services, and increase their savings. Proposals must articulate their fit with these priorities, desired outcomes, and a plan for measuring program effectiveness in reaching these goals.

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The Richmond Health Equity Fund, an initiative of the Virginia Department of Health, aims to address disparities in health outcomes within the Richmond City community. This grant program is designed to provide crucial funding and resources to innovative and impactful initiatives that serve local residents. The foundation's mission aligns with the fund's objective to fill existing gaps in funding for vital health services and support programs, thereby promoting a more equitable health landscape in Richmond. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are Richmond-based single organizations, collaboratives, and individual leaders who are actively providing services in various health disparity focus areas. The ultimate impact goal is to reduce the burden of disparate health outcomes among Richmond's populations. This is achieved by supporting initiatives that directly tackle prevalent health challenges and foster improved community well-being. The program prioritizes several key health disparity focus areas, including access to care and health education, food access and security, maternal and child health, mental and behavioral health, substance use, treatment, and recovery, and underlying health conditions. Additionally, the fund is open to supporting emergent health outcomes where Richmond's populations face disproportionate burdens, demonstrating a flexible and responsive approach to evolving community needs. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the broad goal of filling funding gaps and supporting impactful initiatives, the implicit expected outcomes involve improved access to essential health services, enhanced health literacy, better nutrition, stronger maternal and child health outcomes, increased mental health support, reduced substance abuse, and better management of chronic health conditions for Richmond residents. The Virginia Department of Health's strategic priorities are evident in its focus on these specific health areas, aiming to foster a healthier and more equitable community through targeted interventions and support for local leadership and organizations.

The Madison Area Sports Commission (MASC) Youth Grant Program provides financial assistance to connect underserved youth in Dane County, Wisconsin, aged 17 and under, to sports activities. The program aims to foster lifelong enjoyment and health benefits through sports, aligning with MASC's broader mission to promote healthy lifestyles and combat childhood obesity. Established with contributions from the Ironman Community Foundation, individuals, corporations, and annual fundraisers, the grant program is a key initiative of MASC to serve its community. The primary target beneficiaries are Dane County youth, aged 17 and under, who are from populations underserved by existing sports programs. The program's impact goals are to assist children in developing healthy lifestyles by introducing them to sports that match their interests and abilities. This includes combating childhood obesity, creating positive emotional connections, and instilling commitment and daily structure in their lives. Key priorities and focuses for grant consideration include ensuring the child or children served are Dane County residents, aged 17 and under, and from underserved populations. MASC also prioritizes a mutual commitment between the sports program and individuals, and considers a broad scope of sports, including "minor" and individual sports. The quality of the sports program and the alignment of individuals with a suitable sport are crucial. Consideration is also given to the number of people impacted, the non-duplication of efforts, and the potential for program growth and quality maintenance. Transportation requests and capital construction (under specific conditions) are also considered. Expected outcomes include increased participation of underserved youth in sports, leading to the development of healthy lifestyles, improved physical and emotional well-being, and enhanced commitment and daily structure. The program's success is measured by the reach of the grant application, the growth and quality of participating sports programs, and the ability of the programs to meet the interests and abilities of the youth. MASC's strategic priority is to create sustainable opportunities for youth development through sports, with a theory of change centered on the idea that access to appropriate sports activities directly contributes to healthier, more engaged youth in the community.

This grant provides funding for community projects in Blackford County, Indiana, focusing on areas such as education, health, and human services, with a preference for initiatives that demonstrate collaboration and broad community impact.

This grant provides financial support to municipalities and non-profit organizations in selected New York counties for various recreational trail projects, including construction, planning, rehabilitation, and educational initiatives.

The Initiative Foundation offers grants to nonprofits and local government units, focusing on program or capacity-building support, projects that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strategies to address workforce shortages. This aligns with the Foundation's mission to serve its 14-county region in Minnesota and Native nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe, by fostering community and economic development. The grants are intended to be strategic investments, not ongoing support, with individual grants seldom exceeding $7,500. The grants target 501(c)(3) nonprofits, school districts, or local government units serving specific counties and Native nations within the Initiative Foundation's geographic service area. The impact goals are to strengthen communities by addressing urgent needs, particularly in low-income communities, promote behavioral change towards diversity, equity, and inclusion, and develop community-based solutions for regional workforce shortages, leading to family-sustaining wages. The Foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrably contribute to these outcomes. Priority consideration is given to proposals focusing on capacity-building support for nonprofits, especially those addressing urgent needs or low-income communities, including business planning, fund development, training, or pilot programming. Other key focuses include cost-share for projects creating behavioral change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and advancement of community-based strategies to tackle regional workforce shortages in sectors with family-sustaining wages. Support for early-stage feasibility or pilot projects by local and regional community and economic development entities is also a priority. Expected outcomes include strengthened organizational capacity for nonprofits, measurable progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and tangible reductions in regional workforce shortages. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on "behavioral change" and "community-based strategies" implies a desire for demonstrable and sustainable impact. The Foundation's strategic priorities are clearly laid out in the priority areas, indicating a theory of change that by investing in these key areas, they can foster stronger, more equitable, and economically resilient communities. Ineligible expenses include grants to individuals and businesses, expenses incurred before grant receipt, capital expenses, projects not directly benefiting residents in the service area, replacement of government funding, religious activities, lobbying, school curriculum development or athletic programs, and out-of-state travel. Healthcare, arts, and historic preservation are not focus areas for discretionary grants, and potential applicants in these areas are encouraged to consult with staff before applying.