Eligibility

Any local transit coalition is eligible, provided it has the support of the local APTA transit system member(s) and is a member of the National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA). For this grant program, a coalition is defined as a collection of groups and/or individuals joined together for the common purpose of promoting transit. An APTA transit system member may apply for the funds on behalf of a coalition or a coalition may apply directly for the funds.

Important Dates

Deadlines and grant requirement dates are as follows:

• Application Deadline: Friday, March 30, 2012
• Award Announcement: June 1, 2012
• Grant Agreement & First Disbursement: July 2, 2012
• Interim Report Due: December 31, 2012
• Funds Fully Spent: June 1, 2013

Grant Funding Amounts

Grant amounts awarded to coalitions for projects generally will not exceed $5,000. However, projects with a focused advocacy component may be considered for additional funding. All funds are to be spent in accordance with the project scope between the date of the grant award letter and June 1, 2013. Matching funds are not required as a condition of grant approval.

Project Scope

Projects should focus on grassroots advocacy efforts that can help achieve specific state and local public transportation goals. Such activities could include support for local or regional funding initiatives intended to help support public transportation in economically challenging times, activities supportive of national efforts to reauthorize  federal surface transportation programs, and efforts to educate decision-makers about policies favorable to public transportation and the support public transportation services within the community. Grant recipients are also expected to be vocal advocates with their respective federal representatives perataining to to annual Congressional appropriations for transit.

Application Development

Applications must demonstrate that the organization to receive the money is already in existence and that the organization is capable of carrying out the project scope. This demonstration may consist of: bylaws; articles of incorporation; or other similar documentation.

Application

The application must be submitted to APTA by Friday, March 30, 2012. The project narrative should not exceed 3 pages. Applications can be submitted via email or in a written format by either fax or mail. The letter of support can be submitted only by fax or mail. Please send all information to:

Nicole DuPuis
American Public Transportation Association
1666 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 496-4807
Fax: (202) 496-4322
Email: ndupuis@apta.com

The following information must be included in your application:

• Cover Letter, including:
• Applicant name, phone and fax numbers and email
• Address
• Coalition name
• Amount of grant request
• Identify payee
• APTA member transit system(s) in the affected area if different from applicant
• Organizational Capacity information
• Project narrative (not to exceed 3 pages)

Download the application (doc)

Organizational Capacity

Every applicant must:

• Describe the organizational capacity to implement the proposed project. Please include a list of officers and organizations that are members of your coalition.
• Include a letter of support for the grant proposal from the general manager of the local APTA member transit system(s).

Project Narrative

Provide a summary of your project, and include:

• A description of the project
• The goals and objectives of the project
• How you plan to implement the project
• The project's timeline, milestones and deliverables
• The project budget
• An evaluation and performance measurement component

Review Process

APTA/NAPTA will review each application and make a recommendation of eligibility based on:

• Need
• Strength of project plan
• Likelihood of achieving positive results
• Geographic diversity
• Targeted activities
• Targeted political regions.

All applicants will be notified as to the status of their applications by June, 2012.

Funding Restriction

These funds are not intended to be used for partisan political activities. Costs incurred before the date of the approval letter are not eligible for funding.

Grant Conditions

APTA will distribute the first half of the amount awarded upon receipt of the signed grant agreement. The grantee must provide a progress report before receiving the second and final payment. APTA reserves the right to terminate the grant at its discretion.