The Active Allegheny Grant Program (AAGP), administered by Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED), offers financial support to improve active transportation infrastructure in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The program helps municipalities, councils of governments (COGs), and nonprofit organizations develop community plans and design projects that increase opportunities for physical activity by improving pedestrian and bicycle connections to local destinations and transportation systems.
The AAGP supports both planning and engineering/design phases. Planning projects might include county-wide or corridor-specific active transportation plans, wayfinding systems, or route development for walking and bicycling. Design projects typically involve preparing construction-ready documents for pedestrian or bicycle improvements already identified in local, county, or regional plans such as Active Allegheny or the transportation section of Allegheny Places. Projects on PennDOT or county-owned infrastructure must meet applicable agency standards, and coordination is required before applying.
Applicants must secure a professional consultant to complete the work and follow fair and inclusive procurement procedures, which include soliciting proposals from at least one minority-, women-, or veteran-owned business. Each application must be accompanied by a detailed project budget and official resolutions of support from participating municipalities. Grants are reimbursed based on documented expenses, and administrative fees (up to 5%) may be included for nonprofits or COGs managing the award.
For the 2024 cycle, the total program funding was $150,000, with individual awards typically capped at $50,000. Projects exceeding this amount may be considered if they are multi-municipal or provide significant community health or connectivity benefits. A required cash match ranges from 0% to 20% based on the socioeconomic profile of the applicant municipality, as defined by county-provided data. Matching funds must be secured before submission and may not be sourced from other county programs.
The next round is expected in Fall 2026. Applications will be submitted through ACED’s online portal, and the announcement will be accompanied by updated guidelines. Interested applicants should prepare in advance by confirming match eligibility, securing partner resolutions, and aligning proposals with Active Allegheny and Allegheny Places. For more information, applicants are advised to contact Jaclyn Karolski at aagp@alleghenycounty.us or (412) 350-1049.
Ensure consistency with Active Allegheny and Allegheny Places; secure resolutions and match funding in advance; involve stakeholders early.
