Eligible organizations are nonprofits and public or government organizations/agencies. Of the 10 organizations to receive awards, 5 must be in GM Facility communities, and the other 5 can be anywhere in the U.S. but must meet our Equity & Accessibility criteria. We are seeking proposals for projects that can be completed by the end of the 2025 calendar year (December 31, 2025).
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
Equity & Accessibility Criteria
The League is proud to be able to offer Equity & Accessibility criteria as a determining factor for at least 5 of the 10 Community Spark Grants this year. The questions in the application pertaining to this new equity criteria are meant to help applying organizations showcase their need, project scope, and community characteristics as applicable. Those applying to be considered for the Equity & Accessibility grants should take the League's definition of equity and accessibility into consideration and use it as the framework for guidance in this section. The League firmly believes that Equity & Accessibility are the essential lenses through which all other Bicycle Friendly America work must be viewed to achieve a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.
The League defines “Equity” as the just and fair inclusion into a society in which everyone can participate and prosper. The goals of equity must be to create conditions that allow all to reach their full potential, by erasing disparities in race, income, ability, geography, age, gender, and sexual orientation. The principle of equity acknowledges that there are historically underserved and underrepresented populations and that fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is needed to assist equality in the provision of effective opportunities to all groups.
“Accessibility” refers to improving and increasing access and mobility options for everyone, including, and in particular, for people with disabilities. The League recognizes that not every disability is visible to others and that not every person with a permanent or temporary mobility or accessibility need identifies as “disabled.” Whether from a cognitive, sensory, or physical disability, or age, temporary illness, or injury, there are people in every community who face a range of mobility challenges for whom a bike or cycle may open a world of possibilities to increase accessibility.
We will review each Community Spark Grant application holistically and use the specific Equity & Accessibility questions to help us narrow down the finalists. Selection will be based on those who demonstrate the greatest impact of their project for the community with the greatest demonstrated need.
