As cities and communities double down on active transportation—walking, biking, trails, micromobility—the need for robust funding has never been greater.
In 2025, opportunities span federal grants like the new ATIIP, SMART, and IIJA-funded programs, plus microgrants, and corporate and agency sponsorships.
Whether you’re launching a Safe Routes to School bike safety program or building regional trails, this guide explains how to tap the right funds: eligibility thresholds, matching scenarios, award amounts, timelines, and how sponsors—from local businesses to regional agencies—can be allies.
Federal Grants Fueling Active Transportation
Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP)
ATIIP provides planning, design, and construction grants to connect trail and active transportation networks—particularly long-distance spine trails. Though created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ATIIP still needs full appropriation. So far, $45 million has been invested; advocates aim for $200 million in FY 2025. Applications for the inaugural round are due July 17, 2025.
SMART Grants (US DOT)
The SMART (Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation) program is two-staged:
- Stage 1: Up to $2 million over 18 months for planning, pilots, and similar projects.
- Stage 2: Up to $15 million over 36 months for implementation, available only to Stage 1 recipients. The latest awards in 2024 included 34 Stage 1 and 8 Stage 2 projects.
BUILD / RAISE & Reconnecting Communities
The BUILD (or RAISE) grants—part of IIJA—awarded $488 million to 30 projects in 2025, which often include bike-ped elements like crossings, safer streets, or multimodal hubs. Additionally, the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (also IIJA-funded) supports removal or capping of highways, replacing them with walking, biking, and transit infrastructure.
Low-No Emission and Bus & Bus Facilities
FTA is releasing $1.1 billion in Low or No Emission grants and $398 million for Bus & Bus Facilities in FY 2025. While transit-focused, they can support infrastructure like transit-integrated bike lanes, e-bike parking hubs near stations, or micro-mobility charging.
Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
RTP provides annual funding to states for trail development, maintenance, facilities, easements, safety education, and accessibility assessments. Funds derive from a portion of motor‑fuel excise taxes and are distributed via formula: 50% equal share per state, 50% based on usage. States must allocate 30% to motorized, 30% to nonmotorized, and 40% to diverse uses.
Regional & Microgrant Opportunities
Active Transportation Microgrants
For smaller-scale efforts, grants of up to $5,000—no local match—are now available to municipalities, schools, nonprofits, on a rolling basis. Applicants may apply twice annually but must use the first award fully before reapplying. Funds are paid upfront.
State & Regional Active Transportation Programs
- In California, the Active Transportation Program (ATP) has funded over 800 projects, including 400+ Safe Routes to School initiatives. Approximately 85% of funds support equity priority communities, and regional agencies like MTC require an 11.47% match, with waivers for disadvantaged communities and non-infrastructure projects.
State Coalitions & Self-Funding
The Clean Rides Network—comprising states such as CA, IL, MD, NY, PA, MI, and MN—advocates to shift transportation funds toward active mobility, reducing reliance on federal funding and promoting internal reallocations. Similarly, local governments like San Antonio are leveraging federal grants by meeting local match thresholds—often up to $5.8B of $8B project cost from federal, with the remainder local.
Sponsorship Examples & Corporate Partnerships
Event Sponsorship—Active Transportation Alliance
For events like Bike the Drive 2025, sponsors can buy naming rights for youth scholarships or Green Team initiatives at $10,000, with visibility in announcements, banners, on-site activations, and press. Virtual event bag placements are also offered ($1,500 premium, $500 standard).
Regional Sponsorship—Bike/Walk Central Florida
Sponsors enable programs like Bike/Walk Kids, promoting safety and resources for children and families. Benefits include brand visibility in high-profile events, social and outreach campaigns—positioning sponsors as community leaders.
State Transportation Sponsorships—ODOT Example
Oregon’s Transportation Options Sponsorship Program supports active and public transportation projects via sponsorship. Eligible uses include:
- Safety education (helmets, lights, reflectors)
- Equipment and materials (repair kits, signage, wayfinding)
- Micromobility infrastructure (e-bikes, charging stations—not operational cost)
- Infrastructure installation (racks, benches, accessible ramps), and safety or trail assessments. Excluded items include bike locks, bicycles themselves, incentives, or giveaways unrelated to safety.
Example Summary Table: Funding Programs Comparison
| Funding Source / Program | Award Size & Structure | Eligible Entities | Match Required? | Key Features & Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATIIP (federal) | Planning/design to construction; aim $200M FY25 | Local/regional agencies | Likely yes | Connect regional active-transport networks |
| SMART (federal, 2-stage) | Stage 1: $2M/18 mo; Stage 2: $15M/36 mo | Eligible public/private groups | Yes | Innovation in multimodal, active modes |
| BUILD / RAISE & Reconnecting | ~$488M across 30 projects | Cities, counties | Typically 20% | Multimodal safety, equity, reconnecting communities |
| FTA Low-No / Bus Facilities | $1.1B + $398M | Transit agencies | Yes | Transit electrification & infrastructure, adjacent active use |
| RTP (federal, state) | ~$85M/year formula delivery | State agencies, nonprofits | Varies | Trails development & safety, education, accessibility |
| Microgrants | Up to $5,000, paid upfront | Schools, municipalities, nonprofits | None | Quick, flexible small-scale active-transport initiatives |
| CA ATP (state) | $123M/year pooled funding | Local agencies, schools | ~11.5%, waivable | Safe Routes to School, equity-driven, non-infrastructure works |
| Event Sponsorships | $10,000 naming sponsorships | Businesses, nonprofits | N/A | Visibility, engagement, brand leadership through events |
| Regional sponsorships (FL) | Varies—support programs and outreach | Local businesses, organizations | N/A | Program funding, public awareness, safety education |
| ODOT Sponsorship (state) | Equipment, materials, installations (no bikes/locks) | Orgs working active transport | Must supplement | Supports infrastructure, gear, assessments, safety campaigns |
How to Strategically Pursue Funding
Align Project Scope with Funding Tier
- Pilot or small-scale program? Try microgrants first, to prove concept.
- Network or spine trail? Go for ATIIP or SMART Stage 1/2.
- Transit-integrated facility? Package active infrastructure with Low-No or Bus Facilities.
- School or community effort? Look at CA ATP or local microgrants.
Leverage Sponsorships for Flexibility
Use sponsorships (e.g., event-level or regional partners) for gear, safety materials, or scholarships. Their visibility and flexibility complement institutional grants.
Ensure Matching Funds & Equity Focus
Programs like ATP or RAISE often need local funds—plan your budget accordingly. Prioritize equity-population projects to access match waivers or bonus points.
Build Momentum with Dedicated Wins
Use small grant or sponsorship wins as leverage to win larger federal or regional grants in future cycles.
In 2025, the landscape for funding active transportation—walking, biking, micromobility—is more robust and diverse than ever.
From federal programs like ATIIP, SMART, IIJA’s Reconnecting Communities, and Low-No grants, to small microgrants and corporate or local sponsorships, your project has financial pathways at every scale. Knowing the eligibility, matching requirements, and strategic alignment for each funding source empowers advocacy, planning, and execution.
A well-timed microgrant can seed a pilot, sponsorship can support visibility and materials, and federal programs can scale implementation. Community leaders, nonprofits, schools, and transportation agencies can activate plans, build networks, and connect people—when they understand the funding ecosystem.
Combine persistent efforts, coordinate equity considerations, and leverage every available grant or sponsor—and your active transportation vision stands to become reality.
FAQs
Yes—nonprofits, municipalities, transit agencies, even tribes may apply. Stage 1 of SMART is accessible to many, and ATIIP funds planning and construction across diverse applicants.
Often yes—as long as sponsorships are in-kind or financial contributions tied to the project, they can form part of local match. Check each grant’s match rules closely.
Yes—ATIIP applications are due July 17, 2025. SMART and Low-No program schedules vary, with final Stage 2 awards being announced in mid-2025. Microgrants are rolling. Monitor USDOT and regional agency notices.