Rail Transit Safety Education Grants
Funding Amount
Up to $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Other requirements
- Transit agencies
- Government entities that provide transit service
- State Operation Lifesaver programs
Overview
Funder: Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) in partnership with Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Geographic Scope: United States
Funding Amount: Total of $175,000 available; individual grants capped at $20,000
Focus Areas:
- Rail transit safety education
- Public awareness initiatives in communities with operating or planned rail transit systems
- Commuter rail, light rail, subway, and streetcar systems
Eligible Applicants:
- Transit agencies
- Government entities that provide transit service
- State Operation Lifesaver programs
Key Requirements:
- Non-federal matching funds of at least 25% of project costs required
- Projects must focus on safety education or public awareness initiatives
- All materials created must be approved by OLI
- All grants must be coordinated with state Operation Lifesaver programs
- Contact with State Coordinators required before application
Contact Information:
- Sarah Kline, OLI National Transit Safety Education Consultant
- Email: transit@oli.org
- Phone: (202) 679-2280
- State Coordinators: www.oli.org/state_coordinators/
Additional Resources:
- "Best Practices in Rail Transit Safety Education" report available at https://oli.org/about-us/passenger-rail-safety/
- Report contains guidance for developing transit safety education campaigns and examples from prior grantees
How to Apply
Application Process
Submission Method: Common Grant Application online grant processing program
Required Materials:
- Application through Common Grant Application portal
- Coordination/approval from state Operation Lifesaver program
- Project proposal focused on safety education or public awareness
- Documentation of non-federal matching funds (minimum 25% of project costs)
Key Application Requirements:
- Identify target communities with operating or planned rail transit systems
- Describe safety education or public awareness initiatives
- Explain how materials will align with OLI guidelines
- Detail coordination with state Operation Lifesaver programs
- Outline matching fund sources
Application Review: Awards based on merit and competitive selection process
Timeline (2019 cycle example):
- Applications open (announcement: March 13, 2019)
- Submit via online portal by deadline
- Award announcements by May 31, 2019
What Operation Lifesaver Inc actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 31
- Total given
- $741K
- Median grant
- $22K
- Range
- $7,750–$53K
- By dollars: New York 10%, Missouri 9%, California 9%. Top recipient cities: Pioneer, OH; Jefferson City, MO; Scottsburg, IN.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 23% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
Ohio Operation Lifesaver · Pioneer, OH
To support the education and public awareness programs
$53K
Missouri Operation Lifesaver · Jefferson City, MO
To support the education and public awareness programs
$51K
Indiana Operation Lifesaver · Scottsburg, IN
To support the education and public awareness programs
$44K
Tennessee Operation Lifesaver · Franklin, TN
To support the education and public awareness programs
$43K
California Operation Lifesaver · Portola, CA
To support the education and public awareness programs
$43K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Transportation
- Public radio
Categories
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