TransitCenter is a private foundation based in New York City dedicated to building support for abundant public transportation across the United States. The organization works to secure a more just and sustainable future by supporting advocacy efforts that advance public transit as an essential service. TransitCenter operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since October 2001.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$72.3M
+1.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.6M
+52.5% YoY
Grant Count
48
+29.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$54K
+17.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Transitcenter Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: A foundation that works to secure a more just and sustainable future with abundant public transportation options.
Vision: TransitCenter envisions thriving U.S. cities and regions where public transportation is dramatically expanded, safe, and reliable—reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing economic mobility, and improving public health.
Strategic Focus Areas:
- Narrative Change: Shifting public perception so that transit is widely recognized as an essential service deserving of increased funding
- Broadening the Stakeholders for Transit: Fostering collaboration between grassroots organizations, policy organizations, and business, labor, and government stakeholders
- Local Powerbuilding: Strengthening local organizing, mobilizing key constituencies, and building a base for transit advocacy
- Movement Infrastructure: Building the connective tissue and capacity needed to grow and shape a coordinated transit advocacy movement
Grantmaking
Since 2013, TransitCenter has spent over $50 million to support transit advocacy through grants to allied organizations and its own program activities.
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
TransitCenter funds advocacy work across the United States, with demonstrated activity in multiple metropolitan areas and states including:
- Chicago
- San Francisco
- Portland, Oregon
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Seattle
- New York City
- Pittsburgh
- Denver
- Charlotte
- Indianapolis
- Nashville
- Raleigh
- Boston area
- Bay Area
- Colorado
The organization focuses resources in states and metropolitan areas with conditions favorable for impacting successful transit campaigns.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $71.2 million
- Total Revenue: $4.21 million
- Total Expenses: $5.9 million
- Total Liabilities: $1.29 million
- Staff: 16 employees
Endowment Commitment: TransitCenter has committed to spending down its endowment over the next 12 years to build a powerful, coordinated movement capable of securing stable funding and policy changes for public transit.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $72,256,819 | $71,237,732 | $68,528,672 |
| Revenue | $6,774,943 | $4,214,586 | $1,368,479 |
| Expenses | $5,705,408 | $5,895,896 | $5,724,640 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,390,588 | $5,553,098 | $5,193,782 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,662,586 | $3,939,327 | $1,525,410 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,437,685 | $3,218,404 | $3,532,864 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
207 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Riders Alliance Inc ($210,000), Global Philanthropy Partnership ($200,000), Resource Media ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCE INSTITUTE LOS ANGELES, CA | 2024 GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| ACCE INSTITUTE LOS ANGELES, CA | DIGITAL AD BOOSTING AND MESSAGE TESTING | $1,000 |
| ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING | $93,500 |
| ALLIANCE FOR A JUST SOCIETY SEATTLE, WA | MOVE OH | $40,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR A JUST SOCIETY SEATTLE, WA | NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR TRANSIT JUSTICE | $100,000 |
| BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC BALTIMORE, MD | GENERAL OPERATING | $65,000 |
| BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC BALTIMORE, MD | TRANSFORM MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION | $90,000 |
| BICYCLE COALITION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | TRANSIT FORWARD PHILADELPHIA | $75,000 |
| BICYCLE COLORADO DBA DENVER STREETS PARTNERSHIP DENVER, CO | DIGITAL AD BOOSTING AND MESSAGE TESTING | $1,000 |
| BIKE DURHAM DURHAM, NC | GENERAL OPERATING | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Stephanie Lotshaw
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHANIE LOTSHAW | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $291,800 |
| FRED NEAL JR | CHAIR | 3 | $180 |
| CHRISTOF SPIELER | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER DILL | SECRETARY | 1 | $800 |
| LISA BENDER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| AMINAH ZAGHAB | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MIDORI VALDIVIA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MONICA TIBBITS-NUTT | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RATNA AMIN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SHARMILA MUKHERJEE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TAMIKA BUTLER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TOM KOTARAC | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $770 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
TransitCenter has announced a significant strategic shift in response to what the foundation identifies as a "looming fiscal cliff" in the transit sector. According to the organization's leadership, 51% of transit agencies surveyed face potential insolvency by 2028, with that percentage rising to 71% for agencies with operating budgets exceeding $200 million.
Colt Awarded a $3.9 Million Federal Grant to\_Construct Transit Center BuildingIn response to this crisis, TransitCenter is committing increased resources and has announced plans to spend down its endowment over 12 years. The foundation recognizes that transit advocacy has historically been underfunded and overlooked, limiting its ability to build sufficient power to counter opposition and secure the stable revenue sources and policy changes needed to improve public transportation.
Colt Awarded a $3.9 Million Federal Grant to\_Construct Transit Center BuildingThe organization continues to allocate resources and connect stakeholders to support advocacy for transit, with active grantmaking in 2025 across multiple geographic regions and strategic focus areas.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Transitcenter Inc fund?
**Mission:** A foundation that works to secure a more just and sustainable future with abundant public transportation options. **Vision:** TransitCenter envisions thriving U.S. cities and regions where public transportation is dramatically expanded, safe, and reliable—reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing economic mobility, and improving public health. **Strategic Focus Areas:** • **Narrative Change:** Shifting public perception so that transit is widely recognized as an essential servic…
How do I apply for a grant from Transitcenter Inc?
**Grant Activity:** Since 2013, TransitCenter has spent over $50 million to support transit advocacy through grants to allied organizations and its own program activities. **Grant Types:** • Mobilizing Philanthropy • Narrative Change • Policy Strategy • Powerbuilding • General operating grants **Recent Grant Examples (2025):** • Transportation for Massachusetts: $25,000 • Colorado Nonprofit Development Center: $55,000 • San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association: $85,000 • C…
Where does Transitcenter Inc make grants?
TransitCenter funds advocacy work across the United States, with demonstrated activity in multiple metropolitan areas and states including: • Chicago • San Francisco • Portland, Oregon • Cambridge, Massachusetts • Seattle • New York City • Pittsburgh • Denver • Charlotte • Indianapolis • Nashville • Raleigh • Boston area • Bay Area • Colorado The organization focuses resources in states and metropolitan areas with conditions favorable for impacting successful transit campaigns.
What size grants does Transitcenter Inc award?
In 2024, Transitcenter Inc awarded 48 grants totaling $2.6M — an average of about $54K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Transitcenter Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Transitcenter Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Transitcenter Inc's EIN?
Transitcenter Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4146467. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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