Grant awards increased up to $20,000 to support safer, healthier school commutes 

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Health by Design is pleased to announce the second round of Safe Routes to School Mini-Grants, now open to applicants across Indiana. Funded through a partnership with the Indiana Department of Health – Division of Health Innovation Partnerships and Programs, these grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 and are designed to help communities make it safer, easier, and more fun for students to walk, bike, and roll to school. 

Eligible applicants include individual schools or school corporations, community-based organizations, and local governments (cities, counties, towns). The deadline to apply is August 22, 2025, with award notifications expected in September 2025. Multiple grants will be awarded.  

“We believe every child deserves the opportunity to safely and confidently get to school on foot or by bike,” said Marc McAleavy, CEO of Health by Design. “These grants are an investment in our communities, our children, and the health and safety of our neighborhoods.” 

This year, the second round features an increased grant range—up to $20,000—to better support impactful projects. Funded activities may include: 

• Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day events 
• Tactical urbanism or temporary demonstration projects 
• Infrastructure improvements that enhance accessibility and safety 
• Purchase of bicycles and equipment for inclusion in physical education courses 
• Additional programming outlined in the grant application

In the first round of Safe Routes to School Mini-Grants, Health by Design awarded funding to 5 Indiana schools and organizations for projects that ranged from crosswalk improvements to community-led safety audits and bike rodeos. Recipients included: 

• North White School Corporation – Monon, IN 
• Fort Wayne Active Transporation Coalition – Fort Wayne, IN 
• FreeWheelin’ Community Bikes – Indianapolis, IN 
• Community Heights Neighborhood Association – Indianapolis, IN
• JD Sheth Foundation, Inc. – Evansville, IN
• Photo assets here 

“These grants are a game-changer,” said Leslie Schulte, Community Heights Neighborhood Association. “We were able to install traffic-calming demonstrations and begin conversations with families and the city about long-term infrastructure needs. It’s already creating a shift in how people move through the neighborhood—and how they imagine what’s possible.” 

Health by Design is offering a total of three grant cycles through Spring 2026. The final round will be available in early 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit our website for full eligibility criteria, examples of eligible projects, and application materials. Health by Design also facilitates regular Community of Practice meetings to bring together educators, advocates, and public officials across Indiana. These sessions offer space to share information, highlight best practices, and support one another in the collective effort to build safer and healthier school communities. The next Community of Practice meeting is Thursday, July 17 at 1:30 p.m. ET. All are welcome to join the conversation. Register here. 

About Health by Design Health by Design works to ensure that communities throughout Indiana support equitable, accessible, and safe active living options—where walking, biking, and public transit are viable and desirable choices for everyone. 

For media inquiries or more information, contact: 

Andrea Watts, Director of Communications 

317-496-9739 awatts@hbdin.org