COVID19 has changed so much about our lives, but some things remain the same – everybody deserves to get where they’re going safely and easily, and the more we use our bodies to travel, the healthier we’ll be. During the worst of the pandemic, streets and public spaces around the state were transformed overnight – parking lots turned into food courts, parks turned into fitness centers, and sidewalks turned into music venues. People around the state and the world rekindled a love of walking, running, skating, and biking. As Rhode Islanders continue to emerge from the pandemic and process the lessons learned, we want to support communities that wish to keep experimenting and transforming our built environment to promote active transportation and public health.
The Rhode Island Department of Health, Grow Smart RI, and Providence Streets Coalition seeks to build excitement, momentum, and grassroots support for safer and healthier streets in our local communities by offering mini-grants of $500-25,000 for temporary street transformation projects, Green & Complete Streets policy development, and active mobility programming.
Congratulations to our 2023 recipients!
| Organization | Project | Short Description | Amount |
| Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative | Woonsocket Complete Streets | Advocacy campaign and technical assistance for a Green & Complete Streets ordinance | $2,000.00 |
| City of Cranston & OneCranston Health Equity Zone (HEZ) | Cranston Active Streets For All (CASA) | Community organizing and outreach around active mobility | $5,000.00 |
| Town of Portsmouth | Park Ave Open Street Event | Open streets event on Park Avenue that will be used as a catalytic opportunity to convert a Green and Complete Streets resolution into an ordinance | $4,000.00 |
| West Broadway Neighborhood Association | Demystifying Zoning and Activating Civic Empowerment | Education and advocacy for safe and active mobility within Providence’s Comprehensive Plan update and zoning ordinance | $4,000.00 |
| Pawtucket Foundation | Downtown Pawtucket Intersections | Design work for crosswalks connecting the new train station area to the Tidewater Landing area, to be used as a catalyst to push forward a Green & Complete Streets ordinance | $2,500.00 |
| Town of Bristol | State/Thames Pedestrian Infrastructure Demonstration Project | Temporary artistic crosswalk demonstration for future raised crosswalk improvements at a problematic intersection | $3,000.00 |
| Bristol/Warren HEZ | Like to Bike: Building a Cycling Community and Culture in the East Bay | Cycling safety programs with Bristol/Warren youth and families | $3,000.00 |
| Town of Barrington | Community Crosswalk Design Contest and Painting at Wood Street-Waseca Avenue Intersection | Youth crosswalk design contest and temporary painting | $2,991.58 |
| Town of Middletown | Middletown Community Walk and Bike Safety | Bike and scooter safety classes | $2,000.00 |
| American Planning Association – Rhode Island Chapter | 2023 Park(ing) Day PVD | 2023 Park(ing) Day in Providence, converting at least 20 downtown parking spots into people-friendly uses for one day | $1,000.00 |
| RAMP: Real Access Motivates Progress | Everyone has a seat at Tina’s Table | Production and placement of four wheelchair accessible picnic tables built by the Steel Yard | $12,500.00 |
| PVD Bike Collective | Free/Open Repair Sessions | Free and mobile bike repair at Kennedy Plaza and Sims Ave | $3,000.00 |
| Rhode Island Latino Arts | Museo del Barrio | A program supporting community arts, culture, history, and physical activity in South Providence | $6,000.00 |
| The Steel Yard | Street Closure Tool Kit! Custom Art Amenities for Sims Ave. in Providence! | Creating a package of locally made materials for open streets events | $10,000.00 |
| Brown Urban Mobility Project | East Side Transit and Cycling Glow Up | Artistic safety improvements to transit stops and pedestrian infrastructure | $2,000.00 |
| Bike Newport | Newport Traffic Garden | Installation of a “traffic garden” to be used for road safety education | $15,000.00 |
| Olneyville Neighborhood Association | Walking School Bus | Planning, training, and recruitment for a walking school bus program | $15,000.00 |
Timeline:
- There will be two virtual information sessions for any interested applicants on Monday, April 10th at 4pm (sign up here) and Friday, April 14th at 10am (sign up here).
- The deadline to apply is end of day Wednesday, April 19th, 2023.
- Applicants will be notified by the beginning of May.
- First 50% of grant amount will be provided upon execution of grant agreement (early May), final 50% will be provided upon determination of substantial progress of implementation.
- All projects must be executed by September 30th, 2023.
It’s with people, our community health, and all the ways we move around in mind, that we’re asking Rhode Island communities to support more safety and less stress on the streets across Rhode Island. These Mini-Grants are meant to empower local residents, organizations, and leaders to showcase how these changes can benefit their communities.
Do you have an idea for an installation, activity, or policy that will build support for safer streets and mobility infrastructure that encourages physical activity? Or know someone who does? Click here for the Mini-Grant application.
| Grant Description | Possible Award | Award Ceiling | Eligibility | Funding Description |
| Tier 1: Technical assistance for Green & Complete Streets (G&CS) ordinance development and advocacy | $1,000- 5,000 | $16,000 | Municipalities and HEZ/community groups from municipalities that do not have G&CS ordinances in place. | Funding can support but is not limited to:
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| Tier 2: Implementation funds for temporary / short term projects* | $500- 3,000 | $16,000 | Municipalities and community groups from municipalities that do not yet have G&CS ordinances in place. | Funding can support but is not limited to:
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| Tier 3: Implementation funds for temporary / short term projects / advocacy funds for permanent G&CS projects* | $10,000-$25,000 | $64,000 | Municipalities and community groups from municipalities that do have G&CS ordinances in place. | Funding can support but is not limited to:
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| *All funded projects must be completed before the end of the project period (09/30/2023). Applicants whose implementation timelines do not align with this requirement will not be eligible for funding. | ||||
Project proposals can include but are not limited to:
- Coordinating a Green and Complete Streets presentation to a city or town council
- Paying a law firm or advocacy organization to draft an ordinance
- Community organizing activities and awareness/education campaigns to support ordinance passage, plan development, or project implementation
- Putting on an Open Streets event
- Tactical urbanism: temporary bicycle lanes and public spaces, traffic calming for a day or a month, colorful crosswalks, turning parking lots into pop-up parks
- Public art installations or performances on/alongside current and future bike paths, sidewalks, or bus stops
- Leading a neighborhood walk, bike ride, dance class, or other outdoor activity
- Starting a walking or biking school bus program
- Leading a neighborhood conversation or campaign for active mobility
- Launching an essay, photo, or video contests about active mobility
- Hosting bicycle / scooter safety education workshops near current + future urban trails
- Safety equipment giveaways (bike helmets, lights, locks, etc.)
- Your idea for supporting safer, greener streets and active transportation!
Apply here!
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Some images from past projects (2020-2021 Providence Creative and Safe Streets Mini-Grants):
