2021 Mini-Grant Applications Are Now Open!

The PeopleForBikes Foundation is accepting proposals for grants of $2,500–$10,000 from non-profit community-based organizations, cities or bike share operators.

Photo courtesy of Health Ride.

With spring around the corner and bike systems everywhere anticipating an uptick in users, there’s no better time to get creative with how we can bring more folks into bike share. Enter our annual mini-grants, which make lump sums of $2,500-$10,000 available to non-profit community-based organizations, cities or shared mobility operators (or collaborations between two or more of these entities) to support small, time-bound programs or events in 2021. These grants are funded by the PeopleForBikes Foundation as part of the Better Bike Share Partnership.

In order to be eligible for funding, projects must have the broad goal of increasing access to and use of shared micromobility options in low-income or communities of color.

Despite an unpredictable 2020, last year’s grantees were able to accomplish so much, often tweaking projects to account for the moratorium on in-person events. In Omaha, Nebraska, Heartland BCycle worked with local youth to turn a portion of its fleet into movable pieces of public art. PikeRide, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, partnered with Springs Rescue Mission in order to engage the chronically homeless, addicted and poor through bike share. This Machine, the bike share system in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hired a community coordinator to work as a Spanish translator, event lead and Latino interpreter. Healthy Ride in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, revamped its ambassador program to include community partners.

We’ll consider a wide variety of projects, so get creative! Some examples that would qualify for funding:

• Events that focus on or include shared micromobility, such as a storytelling affair like Pedal to Porch, rides or ride series, shared micromobility demos or other community-based events.
• Neighborhood ambassador programming focused on a specific community or demographic, such as a Learn-to-Ride event for seniors or new immigrants, or family bike days with helmet fittings and gear giveaways. 
• Marketing initiatives such as Instagram-takeovers with local leaders or special bike wraps and promotions linked to a partner such as libraries, museums or community organizations.

BBSP will not fund:

• Bike share stations, bicycles, scooters or equipment related to the function of the shared micromobility system
• Bicycle facilities such as bike lanes or paths
• General operating costs
• Programming related to shared micromobility systems that have not yet launched

BBSP will grant to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations or to city or county government offices. Mini-grant applications are due April 9, 2021. Grant awardees will be notified in early May and checks will be mailed by May 21, 2021. 

👉🏾 Access the application here.👈🏾

For more information about eligibility, deadlines and requirements, please refer to the Mini-Grant Guidelines. You can also direct any questions about these guidelines or the mini-grant application to Zoe Kircos, PeopleForBikes director of grants and partnerships.

The Better Bike Share Partnership is funded by The JPB Foundation as a collaborative between the City of Philadelphia, theNational Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and the PeopleForBikes Foundation to build equitable and replicable bike share systems. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or sign up for our weekly newsletter. Got a question or a story idea? Email kiran@peopleforbikes.org.