Safe Routes to School Mini Grant

The Safe Routes to School Mini Grant is administered as part of the broader Safe Routes to School initiative, an international movement and federally supported program focused on improving the safety, accessibility, and appeal of walking and bicycling to school for children. The program is coordinated through entities affiliated with the Michigan Fitness Foundation, which works to advance public health through active living initiatives. This grant program reflects a localized implementation of national Safe Routes to School goals, emphasizing community-based strategies to promote physical activity, reduce traffic congestion, and improve student readiness to learn. The primary purpose of the Mini Grant is to support programs that encourage students to walk, bike, or roll safely to and from school. The funding is designed to create measurable, short-term improvements in school transportation culture while laying the groundwork for broader, long-term infrastructure and behavioral changes. The program prioritizes educational and encouragement-based activities rather than large-scale infrastructure investments, focusing on increasing awareness, safety practices, and participation in active transportation among K-12 students. Funding under this program allows applicants to receive up to 15000 dollars per school, with a maximum cap of 120000 dollars per applicant if multiple schools are included, specifically for applicants covering eight or more schools. A required allocation stipulates that at least 7500 dollars per school must be dedicated to a Program Coordinator or personnel-related work, ensuring adequate staffing and program implementation capacity. Funds are intended strictly for activities that support active transportation programming, including education, outreach, and coordination, rather than unrelated expenditures. Eligibility for the Mini Grant includes schools serving students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as affiliated nonprofit organizations that support such schools. This inclusive eligibility framework allows both direct school applicants and partner organizations to participate, provided they align with the program’s objectives. Applications are competitive, and funding availability is limited, indicating a selective review process where proposals are evaluated based on their alignment with program goals and potential impact. The application process is structured around a formal Request for Proposals, requiring applicants to submit materials by a specified deadline. For the referenced cycle, applications closed at 5:00 p.m. on March 20 for the 2026 to 2027 school year. While specific application components are not detailed in the source, applicants are directed to consult the official website for full eligibility criteria and submission requirements. The competitive nature of the process suggests that proposals must clearly articulate program plans, anticipated outcomes, and compliance with funding guidelines. Award notifications are scheduled to be announced in June following the application deadline, providing a defined timeline for applicants to plan program implementation. Although the performance period is not explicitly stated, it is implied to align with the academic year for which funding is awarded. The program appears to operate on a recurring annual cycle tied to school years, with similar timelines expected in future rounds. For additional information or clarification, applicants are encouraged to contact the designated Program Coordinator, Erin Paskus, or their assigned Safe Routes to School grant coordinator. Contact details include an official email address and phone number associated with the administering organization. The program maintains both a physical office location and mailing address in Michigan, reinforcing its administrative base while supporting statewide or program-specific outreach.