Community Action Fund

As a grassroots organization powered entirely by volunteers and small-dollar donors, Philly Bike Action is investing in locally-led projects through the Community Action Fund. This initiative will award grants to help RCOs, residents, and community organizations create tangible improvements for people biking in Philadelphia. 

Funding is intended for projects that produce a physical outcome, such as infrastructure improvements, equipment purchases, or other permanent or reusable community resources. Projects are selected based on their community impact, feasibility, and alignment with Philly Bike Action's mission. Funded projects must be completed no later than June 2027. The Community Action Fund has a total budget of $5,000. Because our funding is limited, we encourage applicants to request only the amount needed to make their project successful.

The Basics

Awards: $250–$2,000

Application Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT

Award Decisions and Funding: October 2026

Required Project Completion: June 30, 2027

What We Fund

We're looking for projects that create tangible improvements for people biking in Philadelphia.

Examples include:

• Bike racks or bike parking
• Community bike repair or maintenance events
• Bike lights, helmets, or other safety equipment for community distribution
• Traffic calming or safety improvements (with appropriate approvals)

Projects must take place within the City of Philadelphia.

If you're not sure whether your project is a good fit, please contact Brian Elmore at finance@bikeaction.org.

Who Can Apply?

We welcome applications from:

• Registered Community Organizations (RCOs)
• Nonprofits
• Individuals
• Schools
• Community groups

How Funding Works

Grants will be provided as reimbursements after project expenses have been incurred.

We also recognize that paying upfront isn't possible for everyone. If reimbursement would create a barrier, applicants may request upfront funding or discuss another arrangement in the project application. Your funding preference will not affect how your application is evaluated.

Community Action Fund grants may be used alongside other funding sources. Applicants are welcome to combine this funding with their own contributions, other grants, donations, or in-kind support to complete their project.

What We'll Ask

Our goal is to make the application process straightforward. Our expectation is it will take under 30 minutes. 

You'll be asked to provide:

• A description of your project
• The impact it will have on your community
• A basic implementation plan
• Funding request and total project budget
• Optional supporting materials such as photos, sketches, or letters of support

Applications will be evaluated on:

• Community benefit
• Alignment with Philly Bike Action's mission
• Project feasibility
• Readiness to implement

The strongest applications are practical, community-driven projects with a clear plan and a lasting benefit. 

Post-Award Requirements

Grant recipients will be asked to submit a brief summary of their completed project, along with photos and other evidence demonstrating that the project was completed. Philly Bike Action may use these materials to share the project's impact through its website, newsletter, social media, and other communications, and will credit the grantee whenever practicable.

Contact Us

We will be holding open office hours for potential applicants to ask questions on Friday, September 4 from Noon to 1p on Zoom. Please register here.

Potential applicants can also email Brian Elmore at finance@bikeaction.org with any questions.