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MDOT announces mini-grant awards for Safe Routes to School

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced the award of $282,000 in federal funds for seven Safe Routes To School (SRTS) mini-grants. The purpose of the mini-grants is to encourage schools and communities to develop active transportation programs that will make it safer for students to walk or bike to school.

A federal program, SRTS is also an international movement. Mini-grants fund programming-only expenses to inspire shifting to a nonmotorized transportation culture in schools and neighborhoods with the hope of influencing broader local active transportation improvements centered on safety and physical activity. The program strives to make walking and rolling to school safe, convenient and fun for children.

Eligible applicants (K-12 schools, school districts, municipalities and affiliated nonprofit agencies) may receive up to $15,000 per school with a maximum of $120,000 per applicant for eight or more schools. Walking school bus programs, incentive programs, remote drop-off sites, bike rodeos and safety education are all examples of non-infrastructure programs these funds support.

The following seven approved projects received 2026-2027 school year mini-grant funding:

 

Applicant Name Project Name Project Work Grant Amount
Friends of the Grand Blanc Grid SRTS Mini-grant Walk and bike to school days, active transportation school bus program and walk and bike mileage club. $14,936
Reeths-Puffer Schools SRTS Mini-grant Walk and bike to school days, walking school bus program, walk and bike mileage club, and pedestrian and bike safety events.
$44,690
Eastside Colts Youth Athletic Organization SRTS Mini-grant Walk and roll to school days, walking school bus program, remote drop-off, safe routes to campus maps and student pedestrian safety education. $30,000
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency SRTS Mini-grant Walking club, pedestrian and bike safety events, parent pedestrian and bike safety meetings, incentive program, and bike and pedestrian encouragement events. $30,000
Marshall Public Schools SRTS Mini-grant Walk and bike to school days, year-long pedestrian and bike safety curriculum, and pedestrian and bike safety events. $104,975
Pennfield Schools SRTS Mini-grant Bike rodeos, year-long bike safety campaign, incentive campaign and corner captain program.
$42,807
Tahquamenon Area Schools SRTS Mini-grant Bike library, bike safety workshops, bike and roll to school events, walk and bike mileage club and safe biking incentives. $14,968

“In an era of increased screen time, it's more important now than ever before to get outside and move. Movement has huge health impacts,” said Simeon Frang, Reeths-Puffer Schools director of State, Federal and Innovative Programs. “The Safe Routes mini-grants are a great support for our community and help us promote safe, healthy choices through bike rodeos and walking school bus events. Paired with our Safe Routes major grant, more community members will soon have safe sidewalk access to and from Reeths-Puffer High School, Reeths-Puffer Intermediate School and Reeths-Puffer Elementary School.”

“Being active on the school commute improves students’ cognitive, social and motor skill development,” said Amy Ghannam, Michigan Fitness Foundation president and CEO. “It also is also an effective strategy to help children build lifelong physical activity routines.”

Visit the SRTS mini-grant website to learn more about the program, annual application process and deadlines. Contact Erin Quinlan-Paskus, Michigan Fitness Foundation SRTS program coordinator, at 517-908-3840 or email epaskus@michiganfitness.org for additional information. Visit Michigan SRTS to learn more about the program.


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