Now Open: Community Partner Grant Program

This post was written by Sustainability Services Corps fellow, Isobel Readdie.

Commute.org is thrilled to announce the Community Partner Grant Program, a new pilot initiative aimed at collaborating with and supporting up to five Community Partner organizations. In 2023, the agency conducted outreach to priority audiences who have been under-represented in our programs and we have now developed this grant program to improve awareness and participation with these groups. The partner organizations’ role will involve engaging their community members with information about Commute.org’s commuter programs and services. 

Each grantee will receive $5,000 to carry out activities within a year, starting on July 1, 2024. Eligibility for the program is open to all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, or their fiscally sponsored projects, with a proven record of public outreach, communication, social service provision, or case management in San Mateo County. 

Grant Application Timeline:  

• March 4, 2024, 9 am PT: Applications open, see this page for more details 
• March 8, 2024: Call for Proposals Workshop: Virtual via Zoom (optional; will be recorded): Register Here 
• March 13, 2024: Questions due for Q&A. Please send questions to Emma Shlaes eshlaes@commute.org with the subject line “Community Partner Grant Program questions” 
• March 20, 2024: Q&A posted on Commute.org website 
• March 29, 2024: Proposals due by 5 pm PT 
• April 18, 2024: Board meeting to approve grantees; Grantees selected and notified 
• May and June: contracting 
• July 1, 2024: Grant period begins 

The main goal of the program is to increase engagement and feedback from communities underrepresented in our programs and introduce new audiences to commuter benefits in San Mateo County. The Community Partner Grant Program will not only raise awareness of Commute.org’s programs but also aims for mutually beneficial outcomes. The agency envisions a supportive relationship where financial aid enhances transportation access, deepens connections, and benefits diverse communities. Despite the modest grant size, effective collaboration and communication are expected to impact the communities served by our partners. 

For more information about the grant application and full materials, visit the Community Partner Grant Program webpage.  

If you have questions about the program, please email eshlaes@commute.org with the subject line “Community Partner Grant Program Questions.”