MassDOT’s annual Community Transit Grant Program is open and accepting applications for fully accessible vans through November 22.
Prior to applying, new applicants should reach out to molly.a.belanger@dot.state.ma.us for training materials.
New this year: we can fund 85% of the cost of accessible vehicles. Nonprofits, municipalities, Councils on Aging, and taxi providers need to pay the remaining 15% through matching funds. (We fund 100% of the cost of vehicles for Regional Transit Authorities.)
As always, we are looking to fund coordinated, collaborative transportation solutions that build on existing resources, avoid duplication, and respond to a local need. Learn more here and check out other age-friendly funding alerts below:
- MassTrails Grants, MassDOT (deadline, Feb. 3, 2025)
MassTrails provides matching grants to communities, public entities, Native nations, and non-profit organizations to plan, design, create, and maintain the diverse network of trails, trail systems, and trails experiences used and enjoyed by Massachusetts residents and visitors. Applications are accepted annually for a variety of well-planned trail projects benefiting communities across the state.
MassTrails provides grants to support recreational trail and shared-use pathway projects across the Commonwealth. The award maximum depends on the project type and needs and is generally $100,000 for recreational trails projects and up to $500,000 for shared-use path projects demonstrating critical network connections of regional or statewide significance.
- Community Compact Best Practices Program
The Community Compact Best Practices Program is available for cities and towns. The program is a voluntary, mutual agreement entered into between the Healey-Driscoll Administration and individual cities and towns of the Commonwealth where a community will agree to implement at least one best practice that they select from across a variety of areas. The opportunity is available and applications will be accepted until program funds are exhausted.
One of the available options communities may choose is “Age and Dementia Friendly Best Practices.”
The community’s chosen best practice(s) will be reviewed between the Commonwealth and the municipality to ensure that the best practice(s) chosen are unique to the municipality and reflect needed areas of improvement.
Funding is available through the program and municipal leaders must be the lead applicant. Eligible communities are those municipalities who did not apply in FY24.
More information on the Community Compact Best Practices Program is available here.
T-Mobile Hometown Grants is a $25 million, five-year initiative to support the people and organizations who help small towns across America thrive and grow. Hometown Grants are given every quarter to up to 25 small towns. Apply for funding to support a community project of your choice, like revitalizing or repurposing a historic structure, creating a downtown asset or destination, or improving a space where friends and neighbors gather. Projects that add to a sense of place or could lead to further investment are of particular interest.