With generous support from General Motors (GM), the League of American Bicyclists is delighted to announce its fourth year of Community Spark Grants to support the growing number of local grassroots changemakers and organizations across the country working to improve their communities through bicycling.
The League’s Bicycle Friendly America program will award Community Spark Grants, of $2,000 each, to 10 organizations for projects and programs that spark change and catalyze a community’s ability to create places where bicycling is a safe, easy, and more accessible option. They want organizations to propose projects that help create Bicycle Friendly Communities and build capacity for local leaders and influencers by uplifting the community and creating inclusive coalitions that can shed new light on current issues.
Eligible organizations are nonprofits and public or government organizations/agencies. Of the 10 organizations to receive awards, five must be in GM Facility communities and the other five can be anywhere in the US and must meet the League’s Equity & Accessibility Criteria.
Funds may support a wide range of bicycling-related projects such as but are not limited to, short-term pop-up events, tactical urbanism demonstrations, educational events or resources, accessibility audits, or street safety improvements. We are especially looking for projects with new perspectives that increase opportunities for healthy and active ways to get around, focus on issues faced by people from ethnic or racial minority groups, and include authentic engagement with the community.
The 2025 Community Spark Grant application deadline is 5:00 p.m., January 17, 2025. Applicants will be notified of award decisions in March.