Best Transportation Grants in Minnesota

Local public agencies and Tribal governments in Minnesota seeking to build or improve transportation infrastructure that increases safe, non-motorized travel to and from schools can apply for grants of US $50,000 - US $1,000,000. Grants from Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) support Safe Routes to School capital projects that enhance walking and bicycling options for students.

Eligible government units, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and public institutions in rural Minnesota communities under 10,000 residents can apply for Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s Taylor Rural Improvements Grant; awards up to US $30,000 for capital projects. Funding supports essential services like transportation, food access, shelters, clothing, or internet for underserved populations in SMIF’s 20-county region.

The McKnight Foundation provides Minnesota transportation and climate-focused nonprofits and government entities with funding for operating or project work that advances clean energy, public transit, and greenhouse gas reduction. Organizations working on public transportation, electrification, and equitable climate resilience in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Iowa may be eligible; other Midwest states are by invitation only.

Municipal governments in Minnesota and other eligible Great Lakes and Southern states seeking ARPA or IIJA transportation, infrastructure, or community development funding can apply for National League of Cities’ free Federal Grant Navigation Program. Participants receive one-on-one technical assistance, data support, and peer cohort learning to strengthen competitive applications for federal public transportation and related grants.

The FY26 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Notice of Funding Opportunity offers up to $10 million for innovative projects aimed at enhancing bus safety and accessibility. Administered by the Federal Transit Administration, this competitive grant invites applications for the development of concepts that improve safety for operators and vulnerable road users, ensuring that public transportation is safer and more accessible for all passengers.

The Hypertherm Good Neighbor Grant, offered by the HOPE Foundation, provides financial support of up to $500 to non-profit organizations. Founded in 2010, the Foundation aims to foster collaboration and sustainable change within communities. Grant allocations are made quarterly by a team of volunteer Associates, ensuring alignment with the Foundation's mission of respect and inclusivity. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) or educational entities focused on health, education, and environmental initiatives in specific geographic areas.

Research institutions and public agencies in Minnesota working on transportation policy and infrastructure can seek up to US $200,000 for studies, data projects, and policy reforms improving U.S. transportation systems. With a mission to improve lives through evidence-based solutions, Arnold Ventures supports work on transit investment, cost control, permitting, governance, and related public transportation issues.

Organizations planning highly visible community or transportation-related events in Minnesota and other U.S. locations can seek sponsorship funding to support projects that align with Tyson Foods’ core values. Tyson Foods welcomes proposals that clearly state community benefits, outline event visibility, and show how sponsorship dollars advance the organization’s primary mission and any tax-deductible portion.

Minnesota students majoring in transportation technology and continuing their studies next semester can receive scholarship support for higher education costs. Austin Community Foundation’s Eugene Frank Sommerlatte Endowment Fund offers US $3,000 to individuals with financial need, strong academic achievement, and demonstrated leadership and community involvement, which may benefit those preparing for careers in public transportation and mass transit systems.

Local governments and community-based nonprofits in U.S. cities of 50,000–500,000 residents can access up to US $25,000 from Smart Growth America to design and implement temporary street safety pilot projects. Minnesota transportation and planning teams may be eligible if they jointly apply and seek to improve dangerous arterial roads or reconnect divided neighborhoods.

Nonprofit organizations improving public transportation and mass transit in Minnesota can seek US $5,000 - US $10,000 for mobility, environment, or community-focused projects. Grants from Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund help fund initiatives that reduce congestion and accidents, increase transportation accessibility, and support safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Minnesota transportation and history organizations can access funding through the William G Pomeroy Foundation to install historic markers at publicly accessible transportation sites. Eligible 501(c)(3)s, nonprofit academic institutions, and government entities across the U.S. may propose canals, bridges, tunnels, railroads, or aircraft used for moving people or goods before 1945, supported by primary source documentation.

Minnesota public agencies and other eligible project sponsors seeking support for major surface transportation infrastructure projects can access funding through the US Department of Transportation’s BUILD Grant Program. This program offers up to US $25,000,000 for multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects with significant local or regional impact, including public transportation and broader public infrastructure initiatives across the U.S. territories and states.

Nonprofit organizations improving adult health access and transportation in Hartford, CT, or St. Louis, MO can apply for up to US $250,000 from Cigna Foundation’s Health Equity Impact Fund. With a mission to reduce health inequities, this program supports hyper-local projects that may benefit groups working on public transportation and transit in Minnesota-like communities.

Emergency and medical workers in Minnesota seeking help affording behavioral health prescriptions, counseling, psychotherapy, or related transportation may be eligible for up to US $2,000 in copay assistance. Focused on behavioral health support, HealthWell Foundation invites U.S.-treated workers to apply if they meet income, insurance, and diagnosis requirements, including covered transportation costs.

Individuals in the U.S. receiving cancer-related behavioral health treatment can get up to US $2,000 from the Healthwell Foundation to cover prescription copays, counseling, psychotherapy, and transportation. Minnesota patients using public or medical transportation to access these services may be eligible if they are insured and meet the foundation’s income guidelines.

Professional elderly blues musicians in Minnesota needing help with transportation, medical costs, or basic living expenses can apply for emergency assistance; awards are paid directly to creditors, not individuals. Pinetop Perkins Foundation’s Pinetop Assistance League offers US $500 for needs like rides to treatments, home care, utilities, and burial costs, which may include transit to health and social services.

Nonprofit organizations improving transportation and related services for people living with paralysis in rural, low-income, or unserved communities in Minnesota can apply for Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s Quality of Life Priority Impact Tier 3 grants, offering up to US $40,000. Funding supports accessible transportation, assistive technology, telehealth, employment, education, and peer or family support projects.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is offering approximately $589 million in competitive grants through the Low or No Emission Grant Program. These funds support the purchase or lease of low-emission and zero-emission transit buses, along with the construction and leasing of necessary facilities. This initiative aims to enhance sustainable public transportation solutions. Further details and the full announcement will be available on Grants.gov under opportunity FTA-2026-011-TPM-LWNO.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is offering $610 million in competitive grants through the Fiscal Year 2026 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. This funding aims to support capital projects related to buses and bus facilities, including the replacement, rehabilitation, and purchase of buses and equipment, as well as the construction or leasing of bus-related facilities, encouraging advancements in public transit infrastructure.

Minnesota public transportation agencies, state DOTs, and designated Section 5310 recipients seeking capital support for coordinated transit and non-emergency medical transportation projects can access funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility pilot program. Projects must serve transportation-disadvantaged older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income riders across the U.S.

Public agencies and other eligible entities planning marine highway transportation projects that ease landside congestion can seek up to US $12,000,000 for infrastructure or service components across the U.S., including Minnesota. With a mission to advance marine transportation, the US Department of Transportation Maritime Administration supports public transportation and mass transit-related marine corridors through the United States Marine Highway Program.

The FY25-FY26 Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) grant program aims to enhance transportation through the deployment of innovative technologies. It focuses on improving safety, mobility, and efficiency while fostering economic competitiveness. Projects funded will prioritize core infrastructure improvements and address roadway congestion, aligning with the Trump Administration's goals. The program emphasizes economic opportunities and community benefits, ensuring that selected projects contribute positively to families and communities, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.

The Interdisciplinary Transportation Law and Policy Technology Training Program aims to enhance the skills of policymakers and legal professionals in adapting to rapid advancements in transportation technology, including AI and automated vehicles. This initiative will allocate $600,000 to develop a comprehensive training curriculum, including a week-long course for support staff and a semester-long program for law students. The project will be executed over a 24-month period, targeting University Transportation Centers and their consortia.

The Tribal Transportation Safety Strategy Pilot Program, funded by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, aims to address high traffic fatality rates among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. With a $2 million budget over three years, the program will create a university-led consortium to develop a strategic safety plan using artificial intelligence for risk analysis, culminating in a pilot project that showcases effective safety infrastructure in a Tribal community.

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation's Community Solutions Grant Program aims to enhance the quality of life in the East Metro by supporting organizations and initiatives that are shaped by and benefit local residents. Through general operating, project, and capital support, the program prioritizes funding for community and economic development, health and human services, and youth and education initiatives, fostering sustainable growth in Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties.

The FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity for the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit) Program provides $18,954,885 in grants. This program supports tribes in rural areas, enhancing public transportation through planning, capital projects, operating costs, and job access initiatives. It is part of the Section 5311 program, ensuring tribes have the resources to improve transportation services effectively. Additionally, the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program empowers tribes with greater control over DOT funds for their transportation needs.