Request for Mini Grant Proposals

for

Safe Routes to School Active Transportation Programs

Announced by Michigan Fitness Foundation

Active Transportation Programs:Organized initiatives that encourage students to walk, bicycle, roll or use other means of physical activity to get between home and school safely

Proposals must be received by the Michigan Fitness Foundation by 5:00p.m. on March 10, 2017.

Submission Requirements:

Submit via MFF Grant Portal:

Direct questions to:

Katie Johnson, Safe Routes to School Programs Coordinatorand Manager of Grants

This is a REIMBURSEMENT grant

Request for Proposal (RFP) Guidelines


Requirements – All programs proposals must meet the following criteria:

☐Program incorporates active transportation on routesbetween home and school for Michigan students in any grades in the K-8 range.

☐Must include active involvement of students, family, teachers, and/or other volunteers.

☐Program includes a pedestrian and/or bicycle safety education component.

☐School is registered with the MFF SRTS program at the time the proposal is submitted (saferoutesmichigan.org/register).

☐Program is conducted along routes that are considered safe for walking and biking.

☐Program is implemented throughout the 2017-18 school year.

☐School principals and program fiduciaries agree to all contracting and reporting requirements. Awards are on a reimbursement basis; more information on reporting materials available

☐Awarded schools must administer SRTS-providedparticipation logs throughout program

☐Awardees must be prepared to complete regular progress reports andsubmit copies of any materials developed.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Active TransportationMini Grant Program Overview

A.Introduction

The Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) request proposalsfor the development of programs that promote organized initiatives that encourage Michigan students in grades K-8 to walk, bicycle, or use other means of physical activity to get between home and school safely. Theprogram is intended tohelp increase the number of children walking/biking/rolling safely between home and school by providing up totwenty-four grants of up to $5,000 per schoolor up to $25,000 for multiple schools to support these efforts.

Eligible recipients includepublic, charter, or non-publicschoolsor school districts serving students with at least one grade in the K-8 range. Schools with existing SRTS programs are eligible to apply as well. Schools,school districts, 501(c)3 organizations, and others working in partnership with schools are welcome to apply on behalf of a school, and must have the consent of the school principal at time of application. Awarded funds will beprovidedthrough the 2017-18 school year on areimbursementbasis.

B.Examples of the range of eligible programs– innovation is encouraged: contact us if you have an idea for a program that is not listed here:

  • Walking School Bus:
    A Walking School Bus is programthat involves children walking to school along a designated route, with a designated meeting point(s), a timetable, and a regularly rotated schedule of trained volunteers/paid staff serving as Walking School Bus leaders (
  • Bike Train/Bike Brigade:
    Like a Walking School Bus, a Bike Train or Bike Brigade is a group of students riding their bikes to school along a designated route, led by volunteer Bike Train/Bike Brigade leaders. Typically conducted for middle school or upper elementary students, these programs also incorporate lessons on bicycle safety and perhaps maintenance. Applicants could choose to add an after-school bike club component to addresssafety and educational elements. Partnering with a local bike club or bike shop is ideal for this program. For additional ideas/resources, go to
  • Corner Captains:
    Theseprograms involve parents, teachers, neighbors, or other volunteers who are strategically stationed at designated points along established routes to school to keep an eye on the students as they make their way in groups to school.
  • Mileage Program:
    Mileage programs encourage walking or biking by tracking trips or distance students travel by active transportationbetween home and school (programs that keep the students on the school grounds are not eligible).
  • Bike Share/Bike Library Program:
    Bike share programs allow schools to “check-out” bikes to students for use to and from school. Schools can encourage students who do not own bikes to ride to school with a bike share program. Schools wishing to start this program should also think about purchasing helmets and locks. Please note: Any steel products purchased with the grant must comply with the Buy America Act.
  1. TheSRTSactive transportationprogram will help increase the number of studentswalking or bicycling to and from school by accomplishing the following objectives:
  1. Buildawareness, support, and effective implementationofactive transportationprograms as measured by:
  2. The number of students who participate throughout the program year
  3. An increase in the number of adult volunteers assisting with active transportationprogram activities
  4. The number of community partners whoactively assistwith program activities
  5. Develop a sustainable active transportationprogram as measured by:
  6. Continued active transportation route service
  7. Educationbeyond the term of the funding award.
  8. Createinnovativeprograms and activities, as measured by:
  9. Site visits and regular communication with MFF staff
  1. Proposals with one or more of the following program components will be given priority:
  • Programs that includecollaborative partnerships with school transportation directors and other school and community stakeholders
  • Programs offeringlow- or no-cost encouragement activities that will be sustainable beyond the grant period
  • Programs that provide for participation of students who live beyond a reasonable walking distance from the school
  • Programs that identify,in advance of funding, a clear approach to recruiting, educating, and retaining volunteers, especially beyond the term of the funding award
  • First-time SRTS applicants
  • Programs that are designed to be inclusive of students with disabilities
  • Includes a minimum of one regularly serviced route to and from school. Additional credit will be given for greater numbers of routes serviced
  1. Allowable expenses include, but are not limited to:
  • Coordinator compensation and other staff time to coordinate and lead active transportationprogram activities
  • Reflective vests or other items that designate program leaders, student participants, and walkingroutes
  • Pedestrian safety educational materials, excluding curricula (visit saferoutesmichigan.org/resourcesfor curricula)
  • Maps and materials to market the active transportationprogram
  • Inexpensive encouragement items ($10 or under) for dedicated adult volunteers
  • Inexpensive incentives for active transportationprogram contests, including mileage clubs ($5 or under)
  • Inexpensive, healthy refreshments or supplies for adult volunteer meetings ($2.50 per person or under)
  1. Ineligible expenses include:
  • Infrastructure improvements, such as sidewalk construction or building demolition
  • Items not allowed under the Buy America Act (examples: non-U.S. bikes, bicycle racks and bicycle locks; skateboards/Ripstiks, scooters/Razors; steel water bottles, or any other items made with foreign steel)
  • Walking clubs or incentives rewarding walking around the school track or grounds
  • Stray animal removal and vaccination
  • Gang violence and bullying-prevention programs
  • Graffiti removal, general neighborhood cleanup, or beautification programs
  • Materials already available on the SRTS website
  • Gift cards
  • Raffle items intended to reward attendance at meetings(raffles for level of participation in the program is allowable)
  • Full meals, candy, soda, junk food, or unhealthy fast foods
  • Crossing guard salaries (however, crossing guard training and supplies are an eligible expense)
  • Video production
  • Powered snow removal equipment
  • Security cameras
  • Salaries or stipends for positions that are currently funded from another source

  1. Safe Routes to SchoolActive Transportation ProgramProposal
  • Proposal deadline is 5:00 pm, March 10, 2017
/
  • Please type or print
/
  • Incomplete proposals will not be considered

Section A. General Information
Applicant Organization (if not the school):
Name of School(s):
School district:
City:

Fiduciary Information* (If other than school and/or applicant organization):
*Fiduciary must be a 501(c)3, preferably with Federal funding experience

Fiduciary:
Primary Contact:
Title/role:
Mailing address:
City: / State: / MI / Zip:
Phone number: / E-mail:
section B. Safe Routes to School Information
Although not required for this mini grant, has the school completed any of the following Safe Routes to School planning activities?
  1. Formed a Safe Routes to School planning team/committee
/ Yes / No
  1. Administered Safe Routes to School surveys
/ Yes / No
  1. Conducted a walking audit
/ Yes / No
  1. Conducted a bicycling audit
/ Yes / No

Refer to Resource List to aid completion of sections C, D, and E

Each response limited to 500 words

Section C. PROGRAM Narrative
  1. Program:Describe the proposedactive transportation program: include frequency of activities,program start and end dates, and routes (if applicable).
  1. Educational Activities:Describe whichpedestrian and/or bicycleeducational activities will occur, the frequency of the educational activities, and how skill development training will be incorporated with this education?
  1. What is the goal of this program?
  1. Will the program operate during inclement weather? If so, what accommodations will be made?

SECTION D. PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT
  1. Indicate who will be involved with the program’s activities, including (if possible) school staff.Will school transportation directors, enforcement officials, and/or teachers actively support orparticipate inthe program?
  1. How will the program reduce automobile traffic on and around the school grounds?
  1. How will your program accommodate students who live too far to walk and bike to school from their home?
  1. Describe the roles responsibilities required for implementation of the proposed program. i.e. Program Coordinator
  1. Explain how adult volunteers will be recruited, trained and what plans exist if a volunteer can no longer assist with the operation of anactive transportationprogram?
  1. Describe how students will be recruited to use the active transportationprogram?
  1. Describe the target group of students(e.g. students in specific grades or students living in specific areas?)
  1. Please indicate what special accommodationswill be givento students with varying levels of ability participating in the program,including students with disabilities.

SECTION E. Future visioning
  1. What is your three-year vision for this program? Include how the program will grow, how you will obtain funding and/or volunteers to continue into the future.
  1. If school is a prior award recipient, describe how additional funding will help continue and grow the program. Include factors such asnew initiatives, the number of students you’ll be targeting, successes from your previous funding, and how you intend to make changes to address previous challenges your program might have had.
  1. If you are a previous grant recipient indicate how well you were able to use the grant. Include successes and challenges with recruiting and retaining students, volunteers, and staff. Include any unique strategies you used to overcome potential implementation obstacles.

SECTION F. EVALUATION
  1. If school has completed SRTS surveys, how is the information relevant to proposed programactivities?
  1. How will theproposed program better the community?(Examples:the management of long term costs related to school bussing, support to local businesses, developing local sponsorships for ongoing program activities, increases in student and adult health levels and/or crime reduction.)
  1. How will you measure the success of the program? Include the following indicators, if possible: increased number of students or families using alternative transportation, decreased traffic congestion around the school grounds, more attentive students in the classroom, lower busing costs, etc.
  1. Describe how the proposed program will be monitored and adjusted for changes in participation. State strategies to address low levels of participation if necessary.

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rev. 01/20/2017