Best Transportation Grants in Arkansas

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At AEDC, we know economic advancement doesn't happen by accident. We work strategically with businesses and communities to create strong economic opportunities, making Arkansas the natural choice for success.

Community Assistance Grant Program

The Arkansas Community Assistance Grant Program (CAGP) is intended to provide grant funds to cities, counties, and non-profit organizations of the State of Arkansas for eligible community and economic development projects and eligible non-profit organization projects. The amount of funding available to any one (1) project in any state fiscal year shall not exceed $1,500,000. The amount of the grant award shall be determined by AEDC based on eligibility criteria, availability of funding, and program demands, which may result in grant offers that are less than application requests. 

Is there a matching requirement?

The applicant must be able to match its grant award with cash, in-kind labor, in-kind materials, or in-kind land at a flexible 20% rate. The amount of matching funds/in-kind provided by the applicant will be taken into account in the application review process; a match is dependent on the project need and not all matches will be waived.

The value of all matching (including in-kind) must be documented by bank statements, official cost estimates for in-kind materials and labor, or official appraisals for land. Official cost estimates for in-kind materials and professional labor should document what the material or professional labor would cost if it were not being donated. Community labor being donated is equal to $18.04 per hour. Official appraisals for land may be in the form of an appraisal from a certified appraiser or a copy of the property assessment from the county clerk.

Municipal governments in Arkansas and other eligible Great Lakes states seeking federal transportation and infrastructure funding can apply for the National League of Cities’ free Federal Grant Navigation Program. This pilot offers one-on-one support, data collection assistance, and peer cohorts to help cities pursue ARPA and IIJA grants for transit, housing, workforce, and related community needs.

Female students in Arkansas pursuing education for careers in transportation-related fields can receive scholarship support for college or technical training. Arkansas Community Foundation provides this scholarship as part of its statewide program for higher education, helping future public transportation and mass transit professionals advance their studies.

Arkansas public agencies and other eligible project sponsors seeking to develop major surface transportation infrastructure may be eligible for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. This US Department of Transportation grant offers up to US $25,000,000 for multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects with significant local or regional impact, including public transportation and mass transit systems.

Focused on behavioral health support, the HealthWell Foundation invites Arkansas emergency and medical workers to seek help with treatment-related costs. Eligible individuals in the U.S. can receive up to US $2,000 toward prescription copays, counseling, psychotherapy, and transportation, which may ease access to care for those who rely on transportation services in Arkansas.

Individuals in Arkansas receiving treatment in the U.S. for cancer-related behavioral health conditions can get up to US $2,000 in help with prescription copays, counseling, psychotherapy, and transportation costs from the HealthWell Foundation. This assistance may benefit patients facing travel expenses to access behavioral health services related to their cancer care.

Elderly professional blues musicians in Arkansas needing help with transportation, medical costs, or basic living expenses can receive emergency assistance covering specific bills. Pinetop Perkins Foundation, through its Pinetop Assistance League, pays creditors directly for services like rides to treatments, doctor visits, home care, utilities, and burial costs for eligible low-income artists.

The Smart Growth America Community Connectors Grant Program supports small and mid-sized cities in addressing divisive infrastructure caused by dangerous roads. With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this program aims to reconnect communities through temporary street safety projects while fostering skills and partnerships. Eligible teams must represent populations of 50,000 to 500,000 and include both government and community-based organizations. Priority will be given to projects benefiting low-income communities historically affected by disinvestment.

Arkansas transportation and history nonprofits, 501(c)(3) organizations, academic institutions, and government entities can access funding through William G Pomeroy Foundation to install historic transportation markers. Eligible projects commemorate pre-1945 canals, bridges, tunnels, railroads, or aircraft, must be tied to existing, publicly accessible sites, and require primary-source documentation of their broader historical significance.

Grants supporting nonprofit organizations improving mobility, public transportation, and community well-being in Arkansas and across the U.S. can receive US $5,000 - US $10,000 for programs in mobility, environment, or people-focused initiatives. Grants from Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund help Arkansas transportation and transit-focused groups advance safer, more accessible, and healthier communities.

Tyson Foods invites sponsorship proposals that reflect its core values and contribute to community welfare, particularly in Springdale, Arkansas, and Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. Proposals should demonstrate clear community benefits, visibility of the event, and outline how funds will be utilized effectively. Organizations are encouraged to apply if they align with Tyson's mission of integrity and stewardship, ensuring that funding can support primary objectives while considering tax-deductible options.

Students majoring in transportation technology and enrolling in the following semester can receive scholarship support for higher education, including public transportation and mass transit studies, in Arkansas and across the U.S. The Eugene Frank Sommerlatte Endowment Fund from Austin Community Foundation awards US $3,000 based on financial need, academic achievement, and demonstrated leadership and community involvement.

Universities, research institutions, and public agencies working on transportation policy and infrastructure in Arkansas can seek up to US $200,000 for research, data, and policy development projects. With a mission to improve U.S. transportation systems, Arnold Ventures supports work on capital investment reform, cost accountability, mobility access, permitting, procurement, and related public transit and surface transportation issues.

Transportation agencies and local governments working on road safety planning, pedestrian and bike infrastructure, and transit-related safety in Arkansas and nationwide can seek funding to develop or update roadway safety Action Plans and demonstrations. Oregon Department of Forestry’s referenced SS4A opportunity offers US $100,000 - US $5,000,000 for planning and demonstration projects through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Public agencies and other eligible entities seeking to improve transportation safety infrastructure and operations in Arkansas can apply for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Implementation Grants, offering US $2,500,000 - US $25,000,000. Oregon Department of Forestry highlights this opportunity supporting projects for public transit, pedestrian and bike infrastructure, and automotive safety nationwide.

Public agencies and transportation entities in Arkansas seeking to deploy advanced transportation technologies can apply for competitive ATTAIN grants, with awards up to US $12,000,000, to improve safety, mobility, and system performance. DOT Federal Highway Administration supports projects that enhance public transit, congestion management, intermodal connectivity, and other core transportation infrastructure needs.

AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation strengthens financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems.

AARP empowers people to choose how they live as they age. There are 125 million Americans who are 50 or older, and people want their money, health and happiness to last as long as they do. We are a wise friend and fierce defender, focusing on the priorities of older Americans.

Purpose Prize® from AARP

Honoring extraordinary people 50-plus who put their purpose into action.

Purpose is a powerful force for good. The Purpose Prize from AARP honors extraordinary older Americans who put their purpose into action to support AARP’s mission of empowering people to choose how they live as they age. Winners receive $75,000 and a year of organizational support from AARP to grow the impact of their nonprofits. Examples of organizational support include data and evaluation, governance and succession planning, fundraising strategy, and prospectus development.

Quest Diagnostics Foundation

Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Quest Diagnostics Foundation is committed to addressing the systemic root causes of health disparities. By combining corporate resources with trusted community leadership, we fund and scale evidence-based initiatives that promote wellness, prevent chronic disease, and empower individuals.

We focus our resources on three critical, interconnected clinical and social interventions to build sustainable health improvement:

• Strengthening the community health workforce
• Addressing social drivers of health (SDoH)
• Promoting the prevention, early detection, monitoring, and treatment of disease through diagnostic testing

About Quest for Healthy Communities Champions

The Quest for Healthy Communities Champion award was created to honor, uplift, and support outstanding organizations across the United States that are actively living our core purpose:

Working together to create a healthier world, one life at a time.

Whether you are expanding access to life-saving screenings, supporting maternal and family wellness, or addressing critical social drivers of health, your dedication is moving us closer to an equitable healthcare future. We want to recognize and celebrate your impact.

What we celebrate: Our core impact pillars

The Champions we look to honor are community-first organizations and coalitions tackling critical disparities head-on. We are especially excited to spotlight work that advances health, addresses social drivers of health, fosters community-clinical linkages and develops the community workforce. Examples of this work could include: 

• Programs actively dismantling clinical barriers to ensure every individual—regardless of zip code, background, or income—has access to high-quality care
• Innovators providing creative solutions for food security, transportation, health education, and maternal-child support networks
• Organizations bringing critical care directly to those in need through mobile clinics, community health workers, and localized diagnostic screenings
• Organizations finding creative ways to engage the communities they serve directly into the solutions they are delivering

The award: Selected organization champions will receive a $10,000 grant.

The Banfield Foundation's Disaster Relief Grants support nonprofit animal welfare organizations and government agencies affected by natural disasters. Since 2015, the foundation has provided resources to help pets in crisis, including medical supplies, food, and temporary shelter. Grants are also available for organizations assisting those impacted by disasters. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and directly help animals and their owners in the U.S., ensuring that pets receive the care they need during emergencies.

The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to animal welfare in the U.S. It aims to maximize the benefit to animals through education, spay and neuter initiatives, and positive advocacy. The foundation focuses on impactful programs, encouraging grants that align with their mission to end animal overpopulation and cruelty. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while individuals and political lobbying efforts are excluded from funding.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services offers financial support for various community projects through its Company Giving program. Focused on four key areas—Health Care, Veterans' Support, Education, and Crisis Management—this initiative aims to enhance the well-being of local communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and civic groups, while organizations that primarily benefit their members or have high management overhead may be excluded. The program underscores J.B. Hunt's commitment to corporate social responsibility.

PetSmart Charities offers Natural Disaster Response Grants to support organizations addressing the urgent needs of pets affected by major disasters. Grant funds can be utilized for shelter supplies, veterinary care, structural repairs, and supplemental staff expenses within 30 to 45 days post-disaster. In special cases, funding may extend up to 60 days. Eligible applicants include authorized disaster responders and nonprofit organizations directly impacted by the disaster, ensuring timely assistance to affected animals and their caretakers.

The Impact Fund provides recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits and small law firms working on social, environmental, and economic justice issues. With over $10 million awarded since 1992, the fund supports impactful litigation addressing systemic injustices. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000 and prioritize cases directly involving affected communities. Recipients must repay the grant amount with interest if they recover fees or costs, ensuring sustainability for future funding.

The McKesson Foundation Grant provides funding above $25,000 to support health equity initiatives across North America. Founded in 1943, its mission focuses on removing barriers to quality healthcare for vulnerable communities. The foundation prioritizes projects that align with strategic pillars: reducing cancer burdens, preparing the healthcare workforce, and enhancing crisis response. Eligible organizations include national and local nonprofits. Funding is limited to specific regions and assessed based on demonstrated need and expected impact.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.