Community Spark Grants

The League’s Bicycle Friendly America program 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. The desire is for organizations to propose projects that build Bicycle Friendly Communities and capacity for local leaders and influencers by uplifting the community and by creating inclusive coalitions that can shed new light on current issues.

Congratulations to the 2024 Spark Grant Award Winners!

Community Spark Grants are supported by:

Background

Launched in 2022, the League’s Community Spark Grants support the growing number of local grassroots changemakers and organizations nationwide working to improve their communities through better bicycling with $1,500 mini-grants.

In 2024, support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will fund 8 awards, as part of the CDC’s Active People, Healthy Nation℠ Initiative, which aims to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027. Separately, support from General Motors will fund 7 awards in 2024.

Past Grantees

2024 Community Spark Grant Winners

2023 Community Spark Grant Winners

2022 Community Spark Grant Winners

How to Apply

Application

Grant Details

In 2024, the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program will award Community Spark Grants, of $1,500 each, to 15 organizations.

Project Categories

Fundable projects should be in one of the following categories:

One Time Event
Series of Events
Classes/Educational Opportunity
Pop-up Infrastructure/Traffic Calming*
Placemaking/Tactical Urbanism*
End-of-Trip Facilities (bike parking/fix-it stations, etc.)
Giveaways or subsidies for bicycle equipment and/or accessories (e.g. lights, helmets, bells, locks, etc.)
Bike audit, count, survey, or other evaluation/assessment effort (must have follow-up/community involvement to be eligible)
Miscellaneous/Other

*Funding can only support temporary/non-permanent structures and materials such as paint, vertical delineators, bollards, and signage.

See here for example projects and links to resources to help you brainstorm project ideas.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations are nonprofits and public or government organizations/agencies. Of the 15 organizations to receive awards, 7 must be in GM home communities. (See the list of eligible GM Communities here.) We are seeking proposals for projects that can be completed by the end of the 2024 calendar year (December 31, 2024). See below for a complete timeline for the 2024 Community Spark Grants.

What is not eligible for funding:

Most permit-required infrastructure, such as sidewalks or concrete for road widening.
- Exceptions:
  - Bike racks or bike fix-it stations would be allowable but need to show broader community context and impact.
  - Temporary structures or demonstration/quick builds including paint, vertical delineators, bollards, and signage would also be allowable.
Funding for personal use.
Funds used solely towards covering a staffer’s salary.
Petitions or signature gathering.
Funds only used for advertising or promotional materials.
Studies/research