We envision thriving U.S. cities and regions where public transportation is dramatically expanded, safe, and reliable.

Decades of systemic underfunding have pushed transit agencies toward collapse. Fifty-one percent of agencies face fiscal insolvency by 2028, trapped in cycles of service cuts that reduce ridership and public trust. 

Without stable revenue sources, public frustration with transit grows. Our opponents exploit these challenges to justify continuing to prioritize road expansion, reinforcing the false notion that transit is an inherently inferior transportation mode. The reality is that transit is an essential service that lowers household costs, improves public health, creates vibrant, safe communities, and reduces emissions—but has thus far lacked the investment needed to deliver on its full potential.

At the same time, the movement to change these conditions has also struggled to build sufficient power. Transit advocacy has been underfunded and overlooked, limiting its ability to build power and effectively counter the opposition.

Recognizing the gravity of this moment and the need for a well-funded movement to counter the substantial headwinds transit faces, we are committing even more resources to this work. 

To accomplish this, we will spend out our endowment over the next 12 years to build a powerful, coordinated movement capable of securing the stable funding and policy changes needed to improve lives today and for generations to come.

TransitCenter makes grants to 501c3 organizations across the United States advocating for transit, whose work aligns with our goals and strategy areas. We also play an active role to build capacity and the connective tissue which grows and shapes the movement. We do not make grants to work on active legislation or for one-off events. 

True transformation requires a collective effort—it demands strategic coordination across grassroots and policy organizations and stronger philanthropic investment. We will deploy our resources more aggressively while working to bring in greater funding for the movement as a whole. By uniting these essential partners, we will build collective power, ensure transit’s long-term viability, and drive the systemic change needed to create safe, vibrant, and just communities.

This is the moment to act boldly and invest in the future. To learn more about our vision and strategy, read our Strategic Plan.