For the second year, more than $750,000 is available to community organizations working to help create vibrant, equitable, and walkable neighborhoods near public transit. Throughout May, VTA is offering special workshops to learn how to apply for the funding.

VTA’s 2025 Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Grant Program is now seeking proposals from public agencies, charities, universities, cultural institutions, neighborhood associations, environmental organizations, and other nonprofit organizations to create more connected communities across Santa Clara County.

What is TOC?

TOCs are neighborhoods that offer diverse housing options and easy access to local businesses, job opportunities, and institutions such as schools and libraries—creating a vibrant cultural landscape that preserves and celebrates local heritage.

These walkable areas around transit stations offer safe and convenient places for people of all incomes and backgrounds to live, work, and visit.

About the Program

The TOC Grant Program aims to support equitable growth near transit stations and grow innovative and robust partnerships between VTA and local public agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations to advance the implementation of equitable TOCs in Santa Clara County.

Selected projects will empower and strengthen communities, increase transit ridership, reduce the need for car trips, and support intensive mixed-income development around light rail stations and transit hubs.

Projects must be located within a half mile of an existing or planned VTA light rail station, transit center, or regional commuter rail station (Caltrain, ACE, or Capitol Corridor).

Get Ready to Apply

VTA will host virtual and in-person workshops throughout May to walk applicants through the program guidelines and application process. These sessions are a great opportunity to ask questions and shape proposals. Visit our Transit-Oriented Communities Grant Program page to explore eligibility, timelines, and upcoming workshops.

See how one organization is putting their grant to use. 

Eligible Activities

Grant funding is available for applications that advance the following Transit-Oriented Communities Grant Program Areas:

A. Planning and Policy Implementation

Advancing adoption and implementation of policies, plans, and regulations to enable equitable and sustainable Transit-Oriented Communities.

Examples of Eligible Activities:

• Advancing station area plans and processes; transit access planning and access gap evaluation; 
• Aligning local code and policies with MTC’s Transit-Oriented Communities Policy; and 
• Developing and integrating municipal art programs and/or equitable engagement programs into existing or ongoing station area plans, as well as land use and zoning policies surrounding Caltrain, VTA transit stations, and transit hubs.  

B. Community Resilience

Supporting community organizations in playing greater roles in implementing equitable transit-oriented communities that increase the stability and resilience of communities located near transit.

Examples of Eligible Activities:

• Providing technical assistance, such as funding for pre-acquisition consulting costs;
• Specialized support to new and smaller organizations to expand capacity to develop new affordable housing, and/or acquire, and rehabilitate existing unsubsidized affordable housing;  
• Facilitating partnerships between transit agencies, local governments, and community members to align development with Transit-Oriented Communities objectives; and 
• Supporting and sustaining small businesses that contribute toward community identity and economic growth. 

C. Education & Engagement

Support neighborhood leadership and equitable engagement in Transit-Oriented Communities by providing accessible information and resources that empower community members to actively shape communities. It also seeks to highlight transit as an essential service through community voices, local success stories, and promoting inclusion of all community members. 

Examples of Eligible Activities:

• Conducting public awareness campaigns; 
• Transit-focused educational activities;  
• Equity-focused initiatives to accommodate community participation; and  
• Providing housing access/readiness support. 

D.- Placekeeping, Arts, and Activation

Improving the transit rider and community experience through publicly accessible arts and culture projects right next to transit that reinforces local culture, history, or value, and/or community beautification that enhances the safety and accessibility of transit.

Examples of Eligible Activities:

• Arts and culture projects that enhance transit connectivity and community culture/identity;  
• Universal and inclusive design, accessible, image-based, color-based wayfinding that works for residents of all ages, abilities, and languages;  
• Cultural and community celebrations that reinforce existing community and drive increased and sustained transit uses. 

To see a list of the organizations who were granted funding last year, scroll down on the TOC webpage.