Since 2013, TransitCenter has spent over $50 million to support transit advocacy – both our own and that of allied organizations.
Our 2025 grants list is available to review below:
Transportation Riders United, INC
This general operating support grant provides resources to Transportation Riders United (TRU) as it implements a local and state-wide advocacy strategy to defend and expand transit in both the Detroit region and across MI. TransitCenter support of TRU work is rooted in the core of our local powerbuilding strategy: to build a base of advocates for transit. With this grant, TRU is expanding their grassroots organizing capacity, developing a strategy to engage with organized labor state-wide, and is participating in the creation of a statewide coalition for transportation and transit in Michigan in advance of the Gubernatorial race.
Active Transportation Alliance
This general operating support grant provides critical resources to Active Transportation Alliance (ATA), as a critical voice in the Chicago region and state-wide for walking, biking and public transit. ATA plays a central role as a co-leader of the Clean & Equitable Transportation Campaign, working across stakeholders to educate about the importance of public transit to communities and the need for sustainable support. TransitCenter support of ATA’s work is rooted in our local powerbuilding strategy, focusing on building a base of advocates for transit. This grant enabled ATA to mobilize their own list of grassroots supporters, engage with key stakeholders (including real estate, labor, and other policy advocacy organizations), and supports ATA’s organizing of key constituencies through participation and leadership within the Transit Equity Network.
Pittsburghers for Public Transit Association
This project grant support grant provided resources to Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) for its Spring training event, where nearly 100 transit advocates gathered to learn and share best practices on subjects including engaging with organized labor, storytelling, and recent state budget campaigns. TransitCenter’s grant allowed PPT to bring in nearly a dozen advocates from out of state, and covered some of the logisticial costs of the event, allowing PPT staff to focus on creating a quality experience for attendees. Elements of this training may be used as a model for future local and regional trainings.
Pittsburghers for Public Transit Association
This general operating support grant provides critical resources to Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT) as it implements both local and state-wide base building activities to defend and expand transit in both the Pittsburgh region and state-wide. TransitCenter support of PPT work is deeply rooted in the core elements of our local powerbuilding strategy to build a base of advocates for transit, strengthen local organizing, and broaden the stakeholders for transit, in this case organized labor.
Resource Media
Resource Media will provide strategic communications support to transit coalitions in New York and Pennsylvania (and possibly a third state), conducting message testing, developing media campaigns for 2025 legislative goals, and creating future narrative plans—all designed to strengthen public transit advocacy efforts.
Labor Network for Sustainability
The grant supports Labor Network for Sustainability’s participation in the Narrative Change Steering Committee, which involves attending meetings, providing insights, recruiting new members, and developing and sharing collective transit messaging.
Climate and Community Institute
The grant supports Climate and Community Institute’s participation in the Narrative Change Steering Committee, which involves attending meetings, providing insights, recruiting new members, and developing and sharing collective transit messaging.
Green New Deal Network
The grant supports Green New Deal Network’s participation in the Narrative Change Steering Committee, which involves attending meetings, providing insights, recruiting new members, and developing and sharing collective transit messaging.
Disability Culture Lab
The grant supports Disability Culture Lab’s participation in the Narrative Change Steering Committee, which involves attending meetings, providing insights, recruiting new members, and developing and sharing collective transit messaging.