Application Period Has Ended.
Accelerate Community Transportation Grant Opportunity
Increasing Transportation Options for Healthier Communities
The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York and ITNAmerica invite proposals from grassroots and community organizations working to increase transportation options in their communities through volunteer transportation programs.
Accelerate Community Transportation (ACT) will support new and existing programs built on the key principles of sustainability, and commitment to community involvement to reduce barriers to transportation for residents in their communities.
Deadline for Submission: April 16th, 2025
All application materials should be submitted through the online portal.
Q&A Session:
On Tuesday, March 4th, a one-hour Zoom meeting was held for Q&A. This time was set aside for questions from potential applicants. Please see the questions and answers at the bottom of this page.
The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York and ITNAmerica invite proposals to join the ITNCountry network and build sustainable volunteer transportation programs from grassroots and community organizations. Proposals will be accepted from established transportation programs as well as those planning a transportation program.
ITNCountry offers a flexible, sustainable solution with nonprofit transportation software built on the Salesforce platform and supported by expert training and guidance.
The platform includes national reimbursement programs, advanced reporting, marketing materials and logistics tools to support and sustain community transportation services.
Who Should Apply?
We are seeking to partner with grassroots and community-based organizations. Applicants must:
- Operate within one or more of the 16 counties the Health Foundation serves.
- Be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 status or affiliated with one who can receive and manage grant funds on their behalf, a County Office for the Aging, or a Tribal Government. If you need help connecting with a 501(c)3, we may be able to assist you.
- Have an organizational focus on reaching people from under-resourced communities and those with inequitable access to transportation.
Available Funding
Funding through this grant will include free access to the ITNCountry platform and enhanced support for two years, as well as supportive funding for each organization ($15,000 the first year and $10,000 the second year). There are up to 10 two-year grants available.
What types of projects or programs will Accelerate Community Transportation fund?
We are interested in funding projects committed to improving the health and well-being of communities by increasing transportation options. We are especially interested in projects that serve populations with inequitable access to health-promoting resources and services. Those populations may include those in poverty, those in rural communities, LGBTQIA groups, indigenous communities, New Americans, BIPOC communities, and socially isolated older adults. The Health Foundation will prioritize those that look to target service to older adults, pregnant people, and families with children under age 5.
Both existing programs and new programs are eligible for funding and are encouraged to apply. Existing programs should indicate how funding will enhance their current services and increase their impact in their community. The grant may not be used to support mergers and acquisitions, building or capital projects, or direct grants to individuals.
What to expect as an ACT grantee
Recipients of the Accelerate Community Transportation grant will be a part of a learning collaborative made up of other grassroot and community organizations. The goal of this learning collaborative is to share best practices and lessons learned about implementing and sustaining volunteer transportation initiatives in communities. As part of the learning collaborative, grantees are expected to participate in:
- Two in-person meetings (at the beginning and end of the two-year grant period)
- Monthly group meetings
- Monthly individual meetings
- Six webinars during the grant term
During meetings and webinars, grantees will have the opportunity to connect with organizations and government agencies working to advance transportation across the region. Grantees will have access to the national ITNCountry network and resources, including training and materials. Over the two-year grant period, they will be expected to continue improving their project with the goal of implementing sustainable transportation programs, and to champion volunteer transportation in their community.
What is sustainable volunteer transportation?
Sustainable volunteer transportation programs marry the efficient use of technology with the strength of grassroots support. Successful programs balance the community-minded spirit of volunteer drivers with a commitment to ensuring service that is economically secure for many years to come. Hallmarks of sustainable programs include diversified funding, efficient and effective use of volunteers, community engagement and ongoing outreach for community partners and drivers.
| February 19, 2025 | HFWCNY and ITNAmerica will host a webinar to share information and release Request for Proposals |
| February-March 2025 | If you have questions, please submit them to ACTITN@ITNamerica.org |
| April 16, 2025 | Proposals are due |
| April-May 2025 | Interviews will be held with finalists |
| June 13, 2025 | Applicants will be notified of the status of their applications |
| Early/mid-July, 2025 | Kick-off event for accepted applicants |
About the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York
The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York was founded in 2002. Our mission is to improve the health and health care of the people and communities of western and central New York.
The Health Foundation is based in Buffalo, NY, with a second office in Syracuse, NY, and serves the following 16 counties:
- Western New York: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming
- Central New York: Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Tompkins
The Health Foundation’s vision is a healthy central and western New York where racial and socioeconomic equity are prioritized so all people can reach their full potential and achieve equitable health outcomes. To achieve outcomes that last, we work together with community partners to develop, implement, and evaluate sustainable programs that make a positive difference in the communities we serve, with a focus on young children and older adults.
About ITNAmerica
ITNAmerica promotes lifelong mobility for older adults and people with mobility challenges. We support sustainable, community-based transportation by leading a national transportation network grounded in technology, research, policy analysis and education.
ITNAmerica is the first national, nonprofit transportation network for older adults and people with mobility challenges. ITN began as a community transportation program in Portland, Maine in 1995. The national office was launched in 2005 to bring ITN’s sustainable model for nonprofit transportation programs to communities across the country. ITNAmerica’s national network includes 8 affiliates, 20 ITNCountry programs, and 71 Trusted Transportation Providers.
Why ITNCountry?
ITNCountry offers a flexible, sustainable solution with nonprofit transportation software built on the Salesforce platform and supported by expert training and guidance.
The platform includes national reimbursement programs, advanced reporting, marketing materials and logistics tools to support and sustain community transportation services.
Applicants needing assistance with written proposals can request accommodation or alternative submission formats by contacting (Ian Rebholz at 207-805-6151 or Ian.Rebholz@ITNAmerica.org).
Organization questions
Organization Name:
Fiscal Sponsor (if applicable):
Tax ID Number:
Street Address:
Address Line 2:
City:
State:
Zip:
Country:
Organization website:
Contact Person Name:
Contact Title:
Contact Email:
Contact Phone:
Who will be attending the meetings for this grant?
How long has your organization been in operation?
What is your organization’s mission statement?
Is your organization currently operating a transportation program?
If yes:
How long has your organization operated a transportation program?
What types of funding are currently supporting your program? (multiselect list)
Individual donations, business support/sponsorships, rider fares, private grants, public funding, other
Program Questions
Transportation Program Name:
Provide the name of your current or proposed transportation program.
- Transportation Challenge:
Describe the community need and any health disparities that would be addressed through the project.
- Proposed Solution:
Explain how your program will address the identified issue. If you are an existing transportation provider, outline how you plan to enhance or expand your services through this project.
- Service Attributes:
Provide details about the attributes of your current or planned transportation service:
- Geographic Service Area: List all the towns, counties, or regions your program currently serves or plans to serve.
- Populations Served (check all that apply):
- Older Adults, People with Disabilities, People with Visual Impairments, Veterans, Pregnant People, Low-Income Individuals, Other (text box)
- Eligible Trip Purposes (check all that apply):
- Medical, Grocery, Necessary Errands, Social/Recreation, Work/Volunteer, Any Purpose, Other.
- Rides Provided Last Year:
- Enter the number of rides provided. New programs should enter 0.
- Service Type:
- Indicate whether your service is Door-to-Door, Curb-to-Curb, or both.
- Vehicle Types Used:
- Indicate whether you provide rides using Private Automobiles, organization-owned vans, or both.
- Volunteer and Paid Drivers:
- Current Number of Volunteer Drivers: (New programs enter 0).
- Current Number of Paid Drivers: (New programs enter 0).
- Community Relationships:
Describe your organization’s relationships, affiliations, and connections within the local community. Include partnerships, collaborations, or networks that support your transportation program.
- Community Benefit:
Describe who in your community will benefit from this program. You should use this space to elaborate on information you provided above.
- Technology for Ride Scheduling and Data Management:
- Current Technology Used (check all that apply):
- Excel, Google Sheets, Access Database, Software Program, None, Other.
- Describe Your Current System: Provide a brief overview of how you manage ride scheduling, data collection, and reporting.
- Project Goals and Outputs:
- What are the goals of your project?
- How many people do you plan to serve over the 2-year grant period?
- How many rides do you plan to provide during this time?
- Sustainability Beyond Grant Funding:
Describe your plan for maintaining and growing your transportation program after the 2-year grant funding period ends. Highlight strategies for financial sustainability, volunteer recruitment, and community engagement.
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Budget Form (Downloadable Form for Application)
What is your organization’s annual budget?
How much of your current organizational budget is dedicated to transportation services? (new programs enter 0)
Please complete the attached budget form to describe how grant funds will be used.
Other Required Documents
Applicants must submit:
- IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter.
- Most recent Form 990.
- Board of Directors list.
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Questions and Answers from the Zoom Meeting Q&A session on March 4th:
Q. We’re running this through the Ride Health, Inc. referral platform. Still acceptable?
A. The proposed program must utilize the ITNCountry platform, including the ITNRides Rides Coordination software. The ITNCountry platform is included as part of the project, and we can migrate data to this system for you if needed.
Q. Can an organization in an eligible county support the transportation needs of bordering counties not in your footprint? Also, are collaborations across counties encouraged?
A. The majority of the service area must be within the 16 counties the foundation serves. We understand transportation needs do not stop at county lines. This will be factored into the review of the proposal.
Q. Are there opportunities for funding for the actual van/bus?
A. Consistent with our funding strategy to focus on programming and not capital, grant dollars would not be approved for the purchase of vehicles.
Q. What types of things can the funding be used for?
A. General operating costs for the transportation program including things like staff time, insurance costs, volunteer reimbursement, office supplies, and printing/mailing. This is not an exhaustive list of the things that would qualify.
Q. Are these funds free from the current federal administration’s directives which limit access to vulnerable populations?
A. The grants are funded entirely by the Health Foundation. The Health Foundation is a private and independent organization, and these funds are not tied to any federal source.
Q. Does this have to be public facing, or can it be used for specific programs? For example, we provide housing case management but lack the necessary resources (or very limited) to provide transportation. Could we utilize this for only our tenants?
A. It does not need to be public facing. The strongest proposals will focus on people in under-resourced communities who may face barriers to safe, reliable transportation.
Q. What data is collected and how?
A. The data will be input into the ITNCounty platform. Data is collected on rider and driver demographics, on rides delivered (mileage, purpose, frequency), and riders and drivers will also complete surveys on how the service impacts their wellbeing.
Q. Is this a reimbursable grant, meaning they must expend money first and then wait for reimbursement?
A. No, grantees will receive a portion of the funds at the start of the grant and additional payments will be made throughout the grant period
Q. Can this program be used to get wellness campus employees from the inner city to our workplace for various healthcare shifts?
A. The strongest proposals will focus on people in under-resourced communities who may face barriers to safe, reliable transportation.
Q. Do the programs have to pay the cost of being part of ITNCountry out of their funding in this project?
A. No, during the 2 year grant period the cost of ITNCountry membership is covered by the foundation and does not need to be paid by the program.
Q. What criteria will be using in selecting the grant recipients?
A. The questions on the grant application will give you a good idea of what criteria we are looking at. We will be looking at the following: populations served, trip purposes, planned sustainability. We will also take local factors into consideration when considering applications. The strongest proposals will focus on people in under-resourced communities who may face barriers to safe, reliable transportation.
Q. How can we set up a program that doesn’t use Medicaid/MAS as a funding source?
A. ITNCountry provides resources for designing and implementing a volunteer transportation service, with a variety of funding options. If you would like more information to complete your application, contact us at ACTITNCountry@itnamerica.org.
Q. Does ITNCountry include advice/information on managing legal and insurance concerns?
A. While insurance and other regulations vary by state, ITNCountry provides some general information on these topics, as well as connecting programs to others doing the same thing across the country that can provide advice and recommendations.
Q. Do driver payments connect to their bank accounts or does the program issue paper checks to drivers?
A. The program will issue driver reimbursement (if they chose to offer it) any way they would like. ITNRides will track and calculate the reimbursement amount, but does not trigger any financial transactions.
Q. Are we required to use volunteers, or can drivers be staff people?
A. While many programs use volunteer drivers it is not required, drivers can be paid staff as well.
Q. We are not a 501C, we are a local county government agency. What documents do we need to upload?
A. As a municipal office you don’t need to submit the 501c3 letter or a 990. A list of legislators would be perfect. If you could also include a letter or something showing you’re office is part of the municipal government that would be great (this could even be something as simple as a screenshot showing the department listed on the county website).