Challenge

In June 2024, CityLab Daily reported that recent federal legislation has opened the door for local and regional agencies to access competitive funding opportunities for necessary transportation projects. Yet these agencies still often struggle to access these resources. The process requires staff to know when grant funding cycles open, understand how to write compelling grant narratives, and to complete confusing grant application forms. To reduce barriers for communities throughout Massachusetts, the Barr Foundation, a nonprofit with mobility justice as one of its core tenets, looked to our team to provide grant application technical assistance at no cost to the communities. The goal was to lessen the “grant gap” and help cities and towns pursue funding that could advance safer and more equitable mobility.

Solution

Kittelson worked with six communities (Abington, Clinton, Fitchburg, Greenfield, Stoughton, and Waterton) throughout 2024 and four communities (Amesbury, Berkshire Region, Franklin County, and Merrimack Valley) throughout 2025. The team provided vital support for project development and grant preparation. This approach helped each partner navigate the requirements of federal programs and prepare materials that reflected their needs and priorities.