The Student Representatives Council (SRC) is providing $1000 to sponsor students to come to NPC23. The application is due March 8 – apply here!

The Student Representatives Council (SRC) firmly believes that the National Planning Conference (NPC) is a valuable experience for students and emerging planners to form meaningful connections with peers and other professionals, gain relevant knowledge, and amplify student and emerging planner voices as the future of the planning profession. However, the SRC acknowledges that there often are significant financial and logistical barriers to in-person conference attendance. This year, the SRC is pleased to announce that we will be able to sponsor students for up to $1,000 to attend NPC2023.

WalkWorks Grant Round Now Open!

WalkWorks is pleased to announce its sixth round of assistance to advance policy development related to active transportation. Once, again, grants will be offered to a limited number of municipalities and other governmental bodies to assist with the development of Active Transportation Plans, Complete Streets Policies, and/or Vision Zero Policies. These plans and policies are essential to our efforts to establish activity-friendly routes that connect people to everyday destinations, thereby expanding opportunities for physical activity.

In the context of this Funding Opportunity, active transportation include walking, wheeling, and public transit. Eligible applicants include municipalities, Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations (MPOs/RPOs), and other governmental entities, like Counties, with the capacity to complete the proposed project and adopt the resulting plans and policies.

See the WalkWorks website for more information, including important dates for funding. 

For the full list of project criteria or to submit an application visit the AARP’s full announcement page

Important Dates

• April 14, 2021: Applications are due by 8:00 pm (ET)
• June 2021: All applicants will be notified of their status by email
• July 14, 2021: MOU (memorandum of understanding) and vendor forms to be completed and returned by grantees
• July 28, 2021 (tentative): Public announcement of selected grantees — work on the projects may begin
• November 10, 2021: All funded projects must be completed
• December 8, 2021: Deadline for after-action reports

Eligibility

The program is open to the following types of programs:

• 501(C)(3), 501(C)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits
• Government entities
• Other types of organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis

The following projects are NOT eligible for funding:

• Partisan, political or election-related activities
• Planning activities and assessments and surveys of communities without tangible engagement
• Studies with no follow-up action
• Publication of books or reports
• Acquisition of land and/or buildings or a vehicle purchase
• Sponsorships of other organizations’ events or activities
• Research and development for a nonprofit endeavor
• Research and development for a for-profit endeavor
• The promotion of a for-profit entity and/or its products and services

PA Department of Community and Economic Development has announced that the next application window for the Neighborhood Assistance Program opens Monday, March 29, 2021 and will be accepted through Friday, May 28 at 5pm.

PDC will schedule a NAP virtual workshop in the near future – keep an eye on the Messenger.

• NAP Guidelines
• NAP – EZ Guidelines
• Electronic Single Application

The National Main Street Center announces the second round of the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program. The application opens Thursday, Oct. 22 at 9am PT.

In partnership with The Hartford, the program will continue to fund solutions that help small business owners respond and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, and also help to revitalize and strengthen older and historic downtown commercial districts.

A link to the application will be posted on NMSC’s program webpage as soon as the application opens. In the meantime, you can review a PDF version of the application here.   A few important things to note:

• Applications will open on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 9am PT and must be submitted by Thursday, Oct. 29 at 4:59pm PT. 
• All Round 1 grant applicants have been notified about the status of their submissions, and grant recipients will be publicly announced on Oct. 21.
• Please review the program website and FAQ before completing an application.

LEARN MORE HERE

America Walks’s annual Community Change Grants are now open for applications. This beloved program aims to provide support to our growing network of advocates, grassroots organizers, organizations, and agencies using innovative, engaging, and inclusive programs and projects to create tangible change at the community level.

America Walks is looking to fund projects that:

• Increase physical activity and active transportation in a specific community
• Work to cross engage people and organizations newer to the efforts of walking and moving and walkability
• Demonstrate a culture of antiracism and inclusive health and design
• Support and cultivate connected, active and deeply engaged communities

Learn more and apply at https://americawalks.org/community-change-grants/

The Land Economics Foundation is seeking Research Grant Proposals. Application deadlines are April 18 and August 28.

Application guidelines are available here.

Examples of previously funded projects are available here.

For more information, see APA’s writeup of LEF’s grant opportunity.