Best Transportation Grants in Arizona

Arizona veterans’ service organizations and community groups running programs, projects, or events for veterans can apply for the Arizona Hall of Fame Grant to support transportation and related services in Arizona. Funding from the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services may also back initiatives around employment, health, homelessness, legal needs, and rural or tribal veterans.

Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting children, education, or health and human services may be eligible for monetary program support from Costco Foundation. Costco Foundation supports evidence-based programs that address documented community needs, show measurable outcomes, and demonstrate collaboration and diverse financial backing in communities where Costco operates, which may include transportation-related services for children and families.

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

Arizona cultural nonprofits with audited expenses over $2 million can seek more than US $100,000 to support arts and science programs that engage broad audiences. William Randolph Hearst Foundation provides U.S. organizations with program, capital, and limited general or endowment support, and Arizona groups incorporating public or youth transportation into access or outreach may be eligible.

Organizations working to improve education, health, or family economic stability for urban low-income children can seek more than US $50,000 for project support or scaling in Arizona and other eligible locations. With a mission to expand opportunity, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides funding to qualified entities, which may include nonprofits, social enterprises, schools, and government bodies.

Grants from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust help Arizona nonprofits and eligible public entities fund programmatic, capital campaign, and capital project efforts that primarily serve Maricopa County residents. Organizations working in areas like children, education, healthcare, arts and culture, older adults, or religiously affiliated human services may be eligible if they have 501(c)(3) status and three years of operations.

Arizona Department Of Transportation

Mission: We provide highway infrastructure and transportation services.

Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP)

The Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) provides funding support to assist in implementation of training and also provide technical assistance to meet the specific needs of section 5311 Rural Transit Program and 5310 Coordinated Mobility Program. RTAP funds may be used to support transit activities in these categories: 

• Training is fundamental to the transit programs. National RTAP is the organization tasked with providing training materials and technical assistance for rural transit grantees. The state RTAP program offers training through a variety of delivery methods. Training opportunities include online and in classroom options, national and local conferences, workshops, webinars, audio conferences and free National RTAP training products.

• Technical Assistance and Research is a comprehensive set of services that are available to help small urban and rural communities create transit options and succeed in addressing rural transit issues. RTAP Technical Assistance may include: operational or management assistance, coordination plans, marketing, strategic planning, training materials, transit conference scholarships, workshops, webinars, reports, studies, surveys, planning, programming and/or funding assistance.

• National RTAP provides many tools for Transit programs. Procurement Pro provides federal procurement language, checklists, and assistance in developing compliant procurement processes. National RTAP also provides assistance in building website and putting your bus stops into Google Maps. We encourage the use of the training materials and technical assistance provided free at www.NationalRTAP.org.

Nonprofit and humanitarian organizations working on health, education, or disaster relief can apply for Semnani Family Foundation support, including those serving marginalized communities in Arizona. With a mission to improve human welfare, the foundation provides grants for healthcare access, women and children’s health, hunger relief, homelessness services, child welfare, and related social services worldwide.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations conducting charitable, scientific, medical, or educational work, including those serving Arizona transportation users, can apply for the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust’s national funding. Awards support well-managed programs with broad impact and must be used within the U.S., by tax-exempt organizations under federal and, when relevant, California law.

Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on community development, basic needs, workforce training, arts, environment, or inclusion can access funding through grants from Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Nationally available, these sponsorships may benefit organizations whose transportation or transit projects support housing, jobs, hunger relief, or broader neighborhood revitalization goals.

Arizona nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations seeking support for community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding projects can access funding through the Dudley T Dougherty Foundation. This national funder’s broad mission means Arizona groups, including those with transportation-related or transit-access components within these focus areas, may be eligible for project or program support.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries in Arizona seeking support for environmental or human services programs can apply for unrestricted grants ranging from US $5,000 - US $10,000. The Lawrence Foundation provides flexible program or operating support, and Arizona transportation-focused organizations may be eligible if their work fits these priorities.

With a mission to help impactful community programs, the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation provides Arizona nonprofits with US $1,000 - US $20,000 for museums, arts, education, health facilities, environmental and wildlife efforts, and community services. IRS-qualified organizations with transportation or transit-related programming that fits these areas may be competitive applicants.

Arizona organizations working on public transportation and related services for veterans can apply for US $5,000 - US $150,000 to support programs, projects, and events. State of Arizona’s Veterans Donation Fund backs efforts improving veteran transportation, employment, health and mental health, homelessness, legal needs, and other social determinants of health across the state.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Grants help Arizona nonprofits addressing basic needs, community development, cultural enrichment, or volunteer-driven causes strengthen services and outcomes. 501(c)(3) organizations serving U.S. communities, especially near Ameriprise employee centers, may be eligible for Ameriprise Financial funding, which prioritizes hunger relief, housing and shelters, adult self-sufficiency, economic development, arts access, and strong volunteer engagement.

The Nordstrom Community Grant focuses on supporting youth and families by providing over $1 million in grants annually. It aims to assist grassroots organizations that address essential community needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, as well as creating opportunities for economic mobility through mentorship and workforce development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in areas where Nordstrom operates. Applications are encouraged for those meeting these criteria.

Arizona transportation, infrastructure, and preservation organizations can access funding through Arizona Community Foundation for projects that preserve, promote, and protect Route 66. Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, and government or tribal agencies may request US $1,000 - US $50,000 for preservation, restoration, planning, research, or educational efforts along the Route 66 corridor.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and aligned for-profit organizations can seek funding for storytelling projects that highlight work in preservation, education, or wellness, including environmental conservation and related efforts in Arizona. With a mission to partner locally, Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation provides substantial support (more than US $50,000) to help grantees share their real-world community impact.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

Focused on youth and family services, environmental stewardship, and food security, Chick Fil A Foundation invites Arizona nonprofits to apply for True Inspiration Awards funding. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can receive US $30,000 - US $350,000 for programs such as youth development, housing support, hunger relief, and community or environmental projects that may intersect with local transportation access and infrastructure.

Arizona rural public entities, nonprofits, tribes, and educational institutions can access funding to support small and emerging rural businesses, including transportation-related projects and infrastructure. Arizona transportation and transit-focused organizations may be eligible for USDA Rural Development grants for technical assistance, facilities, equipment, community and technology-based economic development, rural transportation improvements, and business incubators, with awards ranging from US $100,000 - US $500,000.

Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and government entities can seek funding for education, economic opportunity, transportation access, and community development projects. Focused on community resiliency, Freeport-McMoRan Foundation invites organizations in Graham County, Globe-Miami, and Green Valley–Sahuarita to apply for up to US $80,000 to build local capacity and improve quality of life.

Arizona 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and government agencies improving public transportation and community infrastructure in Greenlee County can seek up to US $20,000 for eligible projects. Focused on education, economic opportunity, and capacity building, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation supports efforts like transit access to health, education, and recreation as part of broader community resiliency work.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.