We amplify the work that our members are already doing in their communities, and seek to supplement their efforts as they expand their work’s reach.
Over the years, we’ve seen how transportation impacts communities in different ways. Organizations serving communities have a closer read on what is needed as they integrate transportation in their programmatic agenda.
Our investments and partnerships with member-organizations builds from this trust and takes us all a step closer to building a transportation agenda truly from communities. Through our granting programs, we are able to build a cohesive statewide agenda with initiatives that originate in communities.
OUR GRANT VISIONS & GOALS
T4MA believes that transportation justice is environmental, climate, housing and social justice. And our work as a coalition and our member’s work in multiple sectors are interconnected, and all form part of the tapestry of our collective desire for justice. For us, transportation justice is the transformation that happens when:
- All people have access to safe, reliable, accessible, affordable, equitable transportation that connects them to places, people, and resources they need to thrive;
- People most impacted by injustice have decision-making power in developing policy; and
- We address and undo years of harm caused by structural racism and discriminatory policies embedded in transportation, housing, and political systems.
T4MA’s Impact Grants are focused on advancing work at the intersection of transportation access and social justice. We want to share our resources where they are most needed, highlighting the interconnectedness of our members’ efforts.
We’re focused on supporting and uplifting the work of our members that aligns with T4MA’s mission and vision of addressing the decades of inequitable transportation policies adversely impacting low-income, working class, Black, Indigenous, and communities of color
We envision and work towards a Commonwealth with transportation systems that connect people with their choice of housing, economic opportunities, healthcare, and accessible and reliable public transportation.
Together, we know our collective efforts can lead us to just and equitable transportation systems.
- Regional Convenings: T4MA is looking for our member organizations to serve as anchors and host Regional Convenings throughout the state either in their community or in collaboration with other T4MA members in your combined communities. Anchors will take the lead in developing a convening curriculum that addresses local and state priorities and issues, including discussions on transportation policies and recommendations as determined by the coalition, fostering movement-building and inspiring collective community-driven solutions. At these convenings, anchor organizations will invite their members and constituents, stakeholders, elected officials and other policy-makers.
- Working Group: T4MA is looking for members who will convene advocates into a Working Group who will pursue sustained conversation AND action around a shared policy priority or goal. The Movement Grant recipient will convene and lead the Working Group, and may invite other organizations to convene the group.
IMPACT GRANTS KEY QUESTIONS
All T4MA Members are eligible. Members may submit 1 application.
Impact Grants support efforts that align with our goals previously stated and T4MA’s mission and vision. Applicants do not need to present new projects to apply for this grant. The effort’s focus can be in a variety of areas, such as transportation, housing, climate, public health, education, food insecurity, accessibility and other social services. Applicants are encouraged to show their effort’s interconnectedness to transportation.
- Projects and programs – in their entirety or phases thereof.
- Community engagement and advocacy initiatives.
- Staffing (part-time employment or internship).
- Capacity-building.
- Supplies, materials, equipment or items needed to support a project.
Applications are open from Monday July 27, 2026 to Friday, September 11, 2026, and can be completed online via a simple form.
Our grantmaking committee will review grant applications using the following criteria:
- What community-level issue(s) does the grant address?
- Projected impact of the grant.
- A brief description of what success looks like, and how this grant would help bring about this success.
- How the project or program connects with T4MA’s mission, vision, and values.
Once grants are awarded, we’ll meet with grantees to help provide support and hear from you on the growth of your project as well as any project hurdles.
MOVEMENT GRANT KEY QUESTIONS
Movement grants are awarded through invitation only to eligible members.
For more information or questions, please contact Raylen Dziengelewski, Membership and Advocacy Director at raylen@t4ma.org.
As part of this year’s grant cycle, we added in Movement Grants – providing opportunities for our members to host Regional Convenings throughout the state as a way to educate and organize within their own communities.
At these convenings, movement grant recipients have been taking the lead in developing curriculums that address local priorities and issues, discussions on transportation policies and recommendations in alignment with T4MA, fostering movement-building and inspiring collective community-driven solutions with community members, stakeholders, elected officials and other policy-makers.
2024-2025 IMPACT GRANT AWARDS
For the 2024 grant cycle, T4MA awarded $500,000 in grants to 13 projects, with a special focus on western Massachusetts communities.
The grants prioritize equitable transportation solutions, with more than 60 percent of funding dedicated to projects outside Greater Boston, underscoring our commitment to improving access and equity in central and western Massachusetts.