Transit-Oriented Communities Grant Program

The online Pre-Application Workshop recordings will be available to watch on VTA's YouTube channel.

Yes, any CBO, such as a neighborhood association, which does not have 501(c)(3) status can and should seek a fiscal sponsor for their project. A fiscal sponsor is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status located in or has its principal place of business in Santa Clara County with at least one-year of history providing services in Santa Clara County. Applicants that intend to use a fiscal sponsor should provide a letter of support or agreement with said fiscal sponsor as part of their application.

Yes, applicants can request less than the maximum amount of funding for the specific category for which they are applying.

A Local Agency is a public agency or other public entity, with land use authority or conducting planning activities, located within Santa Clara County. This may include local governments, special districts, school districts, and tribal nations.

A link to the Application Worksheets is provided in Appendix B of the NOFA packet. You can also find the worksheets in our Related Documents section of this webpage.

Yes, the 15% match is required for all local agencies, regardless of program area, but it is only required for local agencies.

Yes, as long as your project is within one-half mile of an eligible station or transit center, it would be eligible for award even if it is near a project that is already receiving grant funding from a previous cycle.

The Application only allows you to select one station or transit center. If project activities span multiple areas, please note that when answering the transit-focused questions of the application.

The website's Q&A section will be updated on a rolling basis - check back weekly for the latest updates.

An organization can submit multiple applications as long as they are submitting multiple projects. You cannot submit the same project to multiple program areas. Projects will be awarded based on merrit. If applying for multiple projects, the applicant should be prepared to clearly show that they have capacity to implement multiple projects.

As a condition of this grant, grantees are required to enter into a grant agreement, that specifices a number of expectations including participation in the grantee cohort. The grantee cohort will be invited to meet on a somewhat regular basis, with set meetings and frequency for the 2025 Grant cycle yet to be determined. Meeting in this cohort is an aspect of the current grant cycle we anticipate carrying into the 2025 Grant Cycle to support grantees and foster collaboration.

The Notice of Funding Availability provides example eligible activities for each Program Area to help you determine whether your project would fit in the program. Additionally, we recommend referring to the Appendix B document for the exact language that can clarify more details on what would qualify a project for points in each scoring category in all the Program Areas, to better help determine where your project might best fit.

To move forward, you need to score at least 4/10 points in the Program-specific criteria in order to be eligible for consideration. You can have certain scoring categories that do not receive any points, but we encourage trying to hit as many points as possible to be considered competitive in this process. Please refer to the Appendix B document for the exact language that can clarify more details on what would qualify a project for points in each scoring category in all the Program Areas. Please also refer to the recording of the TOC Grant Pre-Application Workshop to review examples of scoring for project applications in various program areas.

Matching funds are only required for local agencies (public entity with land use authority / conducting planning activities, such as local government/cities/jurisdictions/school districts). This would be a 15% match requirement. CBOs do not have any match requirement. If you do have other matching funds you'd like to use that is welcome.

Yes, matches can be in-kind. Please note the 15% match is only required for local agencies.

Yes, you can be a partner on multiple applications, and with multiple applicants. However, we encourage you to prioritize the most competitive projects, as this cycle is expected to be highly selective.

It is possible to be awarded multiple grants if you are the lead applicant on multiple projects. Capacity to implement multiple projects will be considered in the selection process.

Grant awards for Programs A and B can range from 2-5 years, while C and D can go up to 1-2 years from date of award. We would like to see a realistic schedule for your project to help place accurate funding duration.

The evaluation panel is made up of internal, multidisciplinary VTA staff, along with one non-VTA community representative. In the process of evaluation, the panel may also pull from select technical experts (e.g., affordable housing and engagement) to further understanding and aid in evaluation.

Funding for this grant is provided by local funds, sourced from revenue generated by VTA TOD sites. This funding will not be impacted by decisions at the federal government level.

There is no limit on the number of letters of support or project partners included with an application. Strong partner support is welcomed.

If any part of the parcel or property on which your event is being hosted is within the 1/2-mile boundary, it is eligible -- even if the building itself is not in the green area.

An organization can submit more than one application in the manner noted - one as the main applicant and one as a partner applicant - provided the projects are different.

The grant project completion date depends on the Program Area. Program Areas A (Planning and Policy Implementation) and B (Community Resilience) may be completed within 5 years of the funding agreement.

Program Areas C (Education and Engagement) and Program D (Placekeeping, Arts and Activation) may be completed within 2 years of the VTA funding agreement.

VTA will award only one application per project. The two neighborhood associations should apply for individual projects. Projects will be awarded up to the maximum funding available under each Program Area.

You can submit multiple applications if they are for different projects. While you may request more than the maximum award amount, VTA may not be able to grant above the limit. Each project can have only one application.

We will select the highest-scoring applications in each program area to meet the targeted number of awardees.

A recording of the Pre-Application Workshop and adjoining slides is posted on the webpage.

All program areas must support transit use. Identify activities that encourage and measure transit use and engagement, such as community surveys on how they arrive to your community location/get around. See Appendix B, Section 4 (TOC Elements), Question 23 for more ideas.

In 2024, we received 4 applications for Program Area A and awarded 2; 10 for Program Area B and awarded 3; 3 for Program Area C and awarded all 3; and 21 for Program Area D, awarding 6. The 2025 cycle introduces minimum scoring, ensuring projects that meet the threshold proceed in evaluation.

Existing grantees must comply with the funding agreement. Existing grantees must apply for a new project, not the same one awarded from last year's grant cycle.

Consider whether the area (e.g., along the same blockfront and the blocks within the half-mile of the station) has street-level activities, such as the presence of community events, street performances, public art, markets, public spaces with seating, dining and areas encouraging people to linger and interact, and pop-up events that contribute to vibrancy. Does the project boost the area's vibrancy and engagement, particularly in the absence of the project?

The 2024 grantees are listed at the bottom of the TOC Grant webpage and in this brochure.

Yes, as long as the project is different than the project awarded prior.

This grant aims to advance implementation of equitable, Transit-Oriented Communities and remove barriers to safe, accessible, walkable, healthy, resilient, and thriving neighborhoods next to transit.

VTA’s Transit-Oriented Communities program prioritizes an equity-focused approach in this regard, ensuring historically excluded and vulnerable communities are central to and directly involved in planning and development efforts. By emphasizing equity, cultural relevance, and community empowerment, the program fosters inclusive growth to achieve stability, resilience and thriving neighborhoods for all residents.

This grant aims to advance implementation of equitable, Transit-Oriented Communities and remove barriers to safe, accessible, walkable, healthy, resilient, and thriving neighborhoods next to transit.

VTA’s Transit-Oriented Communities program prioritizes an equity-focused approach in this regard, ensuring historically excluded and vulnerable communities are central to and directly involved in planning and development efforts. By emphasizing equity, cultural relevance, and community empowerment, the program fosters inclusive growth to achieve stability, resilience and thriving neighborhoods for all residents.

Transit passes are an acceptable eligible expense through this grant program's funding.

Selected applicants will enter into a Grant Agreement with VTA. Once executed, VTA would disburse funds directly to the organization (Applicant or Fiscal Sponsor). Funds can be utilized in accordance with the Grant Agreement, which includes the project's scope of work and budget. The Applicant (or Fiscal Sponsor) is responsible for financial reporting as outlined in the Grant Agreement. Sample Grant Agreements are available in the "Related Documents" section of the vta.org/TOCgrant webpage.

In general, it is ideal for applicants to be in contact/conversation with property owners if the project will "modify" the property. In this case, for VTA buses or trains, discussion with VTA transit operations is suggested. Please contact VTA customer service to begin that conversation. Note that you are a prospective applicant for the VTA TOC grant requesting to discuss a potential project with VTA Transit Operations staff. With that said, artwork and installations on vehicles can be PART of a project, but the project itself must have some aspect of fixed geography within the eligibility area. For example, artwork may be installed on a vehicle as part of a cultural event. However, simply adding a wrap/artwork to a vehicle would not meet the geographic eligibility. Buses may be taken out of service, or change routes, so we would encourage applicants to focus on improvements that are more geographically fixed to an eligible station/transit center area.

Organizations that do not have 501(c)3 non-profit status should consider partnering with a non-profit fiscal sponsor in order to apply for the grant.

Applicants can apply for projects in multiple program areas, but can only apply for one program area per project. If applicants have multiple projects they would like to apply for, they are welcome to do so. Please note that VTA may consider your organization's capacity to implement multiple projects simultaneously.

Please refer to Section 3: Administrative Elements, of Appendix B within the Notice of Funding Availability.

Please include a project budget with the total project cost that outlines administrative costs, and any other costs required for project implementation. Please note whether additional funding will be pursued for this project, and which other sources of funding have been identified as well as status of such funding sources.

To earn maximum points, we encourage providing a budget that instills confidence in the applicant's ability to deliver the project. Please reference the Application Guide document for information on how maximum points can be earned.

The NOFA (Section IV.A. Pre-Application Workshops) states that "applicants will be required to attend one Pre-Application Workshop" and that registration is required for the workshop events. You will not be eligible to apply if you or a representative of your organization did not attend a workshop.

Applicants that do not have 501(c)3 non-profit status can apply with a fiscal partner who is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit.

Indirect or facilities and administrative costs are permissible expenses for the TOC Grant Program. If your organization has a federally negotiated rate, you should use that when submitting your budget. For additional details regarding grant use restrictions, please refer to Exhibit E, Section C in our sample TOC Grant Sample Agreement - CBO or TOC Grant Sample Agreement – Local Agencies.

Please review Exhibit F: Insurance Requirements, of our Sample Grant Agreements posted at the TOC Grant webpage to learn more about the insurance requirements for grantees.

Implementation of chalk art at and around station areas would qualify under Program D. Given that chalk art is not permanent art, could may also be suited towards a "Program C: education and engagement" campaign to raise transit awareness. 

As long as a portion of the project falls within the 1/2 mile area of an eligibile station, the project/plan would be eligible for funding. Grant funds can be used towards funding for the entire area plan, and do not need to be limited solely to the portion of the area plan that falls within the 1/2 mile radius of the Caltrain Station.

Community engagement is essential in co-creation of policy. If a city seeks to utilize a community partnership, for example, with a community-based organization, for Program A - Planning and Policy Implementation, that is encouraged. The CBO could be associated as a partner to the project, but would not be the applicant. An essential key in limiting this program area to encourage cities to increase policy alignment with MTC's Transit-Oriented Communities Policy, which helps cities increase their eligibility for regional funding.

Supporting connections to transit stations and transit centers can be funded through Program A. While the grant can’t fund construction, it can support planning-level activities and certain aspects of the design process.

Yes. This is an eligible activity because Program Area A is about aligning policies with MTC's TOC Policy.

Community ownership of investment model refers to community-based organizations own, manage or invest in assets like land, businesses, or housing to ensure long-term benefits for the community, such as affordable housing or neighborhood economic opportunity. This may look like and is not limited to Community Land Trusts, Community Investment Trusts, and Cooperatives.

Emerging development partners can be focused on small businesses.

Please refer to the recording of the TOC Grant Pre-Application Workshop to review an example of scoring for a project application in Program Area B.

Identifying a site is not required, and you can still ear partial points. However, specifying a location strengthens your application. Similarly, defining specific activities can strengthen provided that their connection to transit is clearly established.

Eligible activities within Program B are intended to increase stability and resilience of communities located near transit. Please review Appendix B, Program B Evaluation Criteria to review how your project can meet the criteria, specifically Section 4 - TOC Elements (Community Served) and Section 5 - Community Resilience.

Applicants are welcome to submit applications on any activities that align with the goals described for Program B in the NOFA document. Eligible activities would need to fall in at least one of the following three areas: (1) increasing the stability and resilience of communities located near transit, (2) promoting and playing larger roles in implementing vibrant, inclusive, and balanced equitable Transit-Oriented Communities, and (3) strengthening emerging community development partners to advance affordable housing initiatives and small business resiliency. Please see the TOC Grant Fact Sheet 2024 in the Related Documents section of our webpage for examples of awarded projects under Program B.

"Increase organizational capacity to establish community ownership or investment model" is not limited to just housing, and could include community spaces or ownership models relating to commercial real estate.

As long as a portion of the project's activities are within 1/2 mile of the eligible TOC Transit Stations and Transit Centers, it would be eligible. In this case, it sounds like the activity would include using the light rail stations, and would therefore be deemed eligible for funding even though the summer camp site itself might be located outside of the 1/2 mile area. Please be clear when describing the project that the activities would span numerous transit stations or corridors and would not be held solely at the summer camp.

A maximum of $25,000 is available for projects applying in the Program C (Education & Engagement) category. VTA is happy to provide transit maps and other educational materials to support your engagement and education efforts, in addition to providing grant funding.

Please review the Sample Grant Agreements available on the TOC webpage in the "Application Review and Evaluation" section. Exhibit C (page C-1) outlines reporting requirements and provides a Progress Report template. The number and frequency of required reports will depend on your project's specifics and timeline, and will be finalized during the agreement process.

Yes, this would be considered an eligible expense as it pertains to this grant program.

Placekeeping refers to the arts and cultural practices that reflect local culture, history or value. It is a contrast from the term "placemaking" which suggests that a "new" place is being created.

Yes. In general, it is ideal for applicants to be in contact/conversation with property owners if the project will "modify" the property. In this case, for VTA buses or trains, discussion with VTA transit operations is suggested. Please contact VTA customer service to begin that conversation. Note that you are a prospective applicant for the VTA TOC grant requesting to discuss a potential project with VTA Transit Operations staff.

We do not have a list of sites, but our intent is to activate areas that do not already have existing activations, and we would like to know more about what is happening at these areas/identify that need in the applications. For example, projects in Downtown San Jose, where there are already a lot of existing events and/or murals, could be less competitive than projects in areas that do not currently host cultural events or have public art. Communities would benefit more in areas that do not already have these activations.

Please contact VTA Customer Service at customer.service@vta.org or (408) 321-2300 to begin that conversation. Note that you are a prospective applicant for the VTA TOC grant requesting to discuss a potential TOC Grant Project with VTA Transit Operations staff.

We can accept conceptual projects, but expect a case to be made a case about implementation, with as much specifics as you can provide. (e.g. evidence of concurrence from the property owner who owns the building where you are placing art, due diligence in identifying the need for permits or other approvals, identification of artist requirements, etc).

Please utilize the VTA TOC Grant eligibility map to determine if your location qualifies for this grant program. If you can justify the goals of this grant are met by your project, a festival is an eligible activity under Program D.

Yes, activations and/or art could potentially be located on VTA property. Please contact VTA Customer Service at customer.service@vta.org or 408-321-2300 to begin that conversation. Note that you are a prospective applicant for the VTA TOC grant requesting to discuss a potential TOC Grant Project with VTA Transit Operations staff.

The Grant does not discourage nor exclude potential projects in areas that currently have activation, such as downtown areas. The evaluation criteria allocates points across various categories; please see Appendix B - Section 2 (Project Information), Section 3 (Administrative Elements), and Section 4 (TOC Elements). Projects that occur in locations that lack art and activation and contribute toward pedestrian safety with a focus on vulnerable groups like youth and seniors can receive maximum points. To be competitive, projects should try to score the maximum points across as many categories of the evaluation criteria.

Overpasses and their associated walls above SR 85 fall under Caltrans jurisdiction. VTA does not need to own the project site. Grantees are responsible for obtaining necessary permits, with VTA potentially offering general technical assistance.

The online Pre-Application Workshop recordings will be available to watch on VTA's YouTube channel.

Yes, any CBO, such as a neighborhood association, which does not have 501(c)(3) status can and should seek a fiscal sponsor for their project. A fiscal sponsor is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status located in or has its principal place of business in Santa Clara County with at least one-year of history providing services in Santa Clara County. Applicants that intend to use a fiscal sponsor should provide a letter of support or agreement with said fiscal sponsor as part of their application.

Yes, applicants can request less than the maximum amount of funding for the specific category for which they are applying.

A Local Agency is a public agency or other public entity, with land use authority or conducting planning activities, located within Santa Clara County. This may include local governments, special districts, school districts, and tribal nations.

A link to the Application Worksheets is provided in Appendix B of the NOFA packet. You can also find the worksheets in our Related Documents section of this webpage.

Yes, the 15% match is required for all local agencies, regardless of program area, but it is only required for local agencies.

Yes, as long as your project is within one-half mile of an eligible station or transit center, it would be eligible for award even if it is near a project that is already receiving grant funding from a previous cycle.

The Application only allows you to select one station or transit center. If project activities span multiple areas, please note that when answering the transit-focused questions of the application.

The website's Q&A section will be updated on a rolling basis - check back weekly for the latest updates.

An organization can submit multiple applications as long as they are submitting multiple projects. You cannot submit the same project to multiple program areas. Projects will be awarded based on merrit. If applying for multiple projects, the applicant should be prepared to clearly show that they have capacity to implement multiple projects.

As a condition of this grant, grantees are required to enter into a grant agreement, that specifices a number of expectations including participation in the grantee cohort. The grantee cohort will be invited to meet on a somewhat regular basis, with set meetings and frequency for the 2025 Grant cycle yet to be determined. Meeting in this cohort is an aspect of the current grant cycle we anticipate carrying into the 2025 Grant Cycle to support grantees and foster collaboration.

The Notice of Funding Availability provides example eligible activities for each Program Area to help you determine whether your project would fit in the program. Additionally, we recommend referring to the Appendix B document for the exact language that can clarify more details on what would qualify a project for points in each scoring category in all the Program Areas, to better help determine where your project might best fit.

To move forward, you need to score at least 4/10 points in the Program-specific criteria in order to be eligible for consideration. You can have certain scoring categories that do not receive any points, but we encourage trying to hit as many points as possible to be considered competitive in this process. Please refer to the Appendix B document for the exact language that can clarify more details on what would qualify a project for points in each scoring category in all the Program Areas. Please also refer to the recording of the TOC Grant Pre-Application Workshop to review examples of scoring for project applications in various program areas.

Matching funds are only required for local agencies (public entity with land use authority / conducting planning activities, such as local government/cities/jurisdictions/school districts). This would be a 15% match requirement. CBOs do not have any match requirement. If you do have other matching funds you'd like to use that is welcome.

Yes, matches can be in-kind. Please note the 15% match is only required for local agencies.

Yes, you can be a partner on multiple applications, and with multiple applicants. However, we encourage you to prioritize the most competitive projects, as this cycle is expected to be highly selective.

It is possible to be awarded multiple grants if you are the lead applicant on multiple projects. Capacity to implement multiple projects will be considered in the selection process.

Grant awards for Programs A and B can range from 2-5 years, while C and D can go up to 1-2 years from date of award. We would like to see a realistic schedule for your project to help place accurate funding duration.

The evaluation panel is made up of internal, multidisciplinary VTA staff, along with one non-VTA community representative. In the process of evaluation, the panel may also pull from select technical experts (e.g., affordable housing and engagement) to further understanding and aid in evaluation.

Funding for this grant is provided by local funds, sourced from revenue generated by VTA TOD sites. This funding will not be impacted by decisions at the federal government level.

There is no limit on the number of letters of support or project partners included with an application. Strong partner support is welcomed.

If any part of the parcel or property on which your event is being hosted is within the 1/2-mile boundary, it is eligible -- even if the building itself is not in the green area.

An organization can submit more than one application in the manner noted - one as the main applicant and one as a partner applicant - provided the projects are different.

The grant project completion date depends on the Program Area. Program Areas A (Planning and Policy Implementation) and B (Community Resilience) may be completed within 5 years of the funding agreement.

Program Areas C (Education and Engagement) and Program D (Placekeeping, Arts and Activation) may be completed within 2 years of the VTA funding agreement.

VTA will award only one application per project. The two neighborhood associations should apply for individual projects. Projects will be awarded up to the maximum funding available under each Program Area.

You can submit multiple applications if they are for different projects. While you may request more than the maximum award amount, VTA may not be able to grant above the limit. Each project can have only one application.

We will select the highest-scoring applications in each program area to meet the targeted number of awardees.

A recording of the Pre-Application Workshop and adjoining slides is posted on the webpage.

All program areas must support transit use. Identify activities that encourage and measure transit use and engagement, such as community surveys on how they arrive to your community location/get around. See Appendix B, Section 4 (TOC Elements), Question 23 for more ideas.

In 2024, we received 4 applications for Program Area A and awarded 2; 10 for Program Area B and awarded 3; 3 for Program Area C and awarded all 3; and 21 for Program Area D, awarding 6. The 2025 cycle introduces minimum scoring, ensuring projects that meet the threshold proceed in evaluation.

Existing grantees must comply with the funding agreement. Existing grantees must apply for a new project, not the same one awarded from last year's grant cycle.

Consider whether the area (e.g., along the same blockfront and the blocks within the half-mile of the station) has street-level activities, such as the presence of community events, street performances, public art, markets, public spaces with seating, dining and areas encouraging people to linger and interact, and pop-up events that contribute to vibrancy. Does the project boost the area's vibrancy and engagement, particularly in the absence of the project?

The 2024 grantees are listed at the bottom of the TOC Grant webpage and in this brochure.

Yes, as long as the project is different than the project awarded prior.

This grant aims to advance implementation of equitable, Transit-Oriented Communities and remove barriers to safe, accessible, walkable, healthy, resilient, and thriving neighborhoods next to transit.

VTA’s Transit-Oriented Communities program prioritizes an equity-focused approach in this regard, ensuring historically excluded and vulnerable communities are central to and directly involved in planning and development efforts. By emphasizing equity, cultural relevance, and community empowerment, the program fosters inclusive growth to achieve stability, resilience and thriving neighborhoods for all residents.

This grant aims to advance implementation of equitable, Transit-Oriented Communities and remove barriers to safe, accessible, walkable, healthy, resilient, and thriving neighborhoods next to transit.

VTA’s Transit-Oriented Communities program prioritizes an equity-focused approach in this regard, ensuring historically excluded and vulnerable communities are central to and directly involved in planning and development efforts. By emphasizing equity, cultural relevance, and community empowerment, the program fosters inclusive growth to achieve stability, resilience and thriving neighborhoods for all residents.

Transit passes are an acceptable eligible expense through this grant program's funding.

Selected applicants will enter into a Grant Agreement with VTA. Once executed, VTA would disburse funds directly to the organization (Applicant or Fiscal Sponsor). Funds can be utilized in accordance with the Grant Agreement, which includes the project's scope of work and budget. The Applicant (or Fiscal Sponsor) is responsible for financial reporting as outlined in the Grant Agreement. Sample Grant Agreements are available in the "Related Documents" section of the vta.org/TOCgrant webpage.

In general, it is ideal for applicants to be in contact/conversation with property owners if the project will "modify" the property. In this case, for VTA buses or trains, discussion with VTA transit operations is suggested. Please contact VTA customer service to begin that conversation. Note that you are a prospective applicant for the VTA TOC grant requesting to discuss a potential project with VTA Transit Operations staff. With that said, artwork and installations on vehicles can be PART of a project, but the project itself must have some aspect of fixed geography within the eligibility area. For example, artwork may be installed on a vehicle as part of a cultural event. However, simply adding a wrap/artwork to a vehicle would not meet the geographic eligibility. Buses may be taken out of service, or change routes, so we would encourage applicants to focus on improvements that are more geographically fixed to an eligible station/transit center area.

Organizations that do not have 501(c)3 non-profit status should consider partnering with a non-profit fiscal sponsor in order to apply for the grant.

Applicants can apply for projects in multiple program areas, but can only apply for one program area per project. If applicants have multiple projects they would like to apply for, they are welcome to do so. Please note that VTA may consider your organization's capacity to implement multiple projects simultaneously.

Please refer to Section 3: Administrative Elements, of Appendix B within the Notice of Funding Availability.

Please include a project budget with the total project cost that outlines administrative costs, and any other costs required for project implementation. Please note whether additional funding will be pursued for this project, and which other sources of funding have been identified as well as status of such funding sources.

To earn maximum points, we encourage providing a budget that instills confidence in the applicant's ability to deliver the project. Please reference the Application Guide document for information on how maximum points can be earned.

The NOFA (Section IV.A. Pre-Application Workshops) states that "applicants will be required to attend one Pre-Application Workshop" and that registration is required for the workshop events. You will not be eligible to apply if you or a representative of your organization did not attend a workshop.

Applicants that do not have 501(c)3 non-profit status can apply with a fiscal partner who is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit.

Indirect or facilities and administrative costs are permissible expenses for the TOC Grant Program. If your organization has a federally negotiated rate, you should use that when submitting your budget. For additional details regarding grant use restrictions, please refer to Exhibit E, Section C in our sample TOC Grant Sample Agreement - CBO or TOC Grant Sample Agreement – Local Agencies.

Please review Exhibit F: Insurance Requirements, of our Sample Grant Agreements posted at the TOC Grant webpage to learn more about the insurance requirements for grantees.

Implementation of chalk art at and around station areas would qualify under Program D. Given that chalk art is not permanent art, could may also be suited towards a "Program C: education and engagement" campaign to raise transit awareness. 

As long as a portion of the project falls within the 1/2 mile area of an eligibile station, the project/plan would be eligible for funding. Grant funds can be used towards funding for the entire area plan, and do not need to be limited solely to the portion of the area plan that falls within the 1/2 mile radius of the Caltrain Station.

Community engagement is essential in co-creation of policy. If a city seeks to utilize a community partnership, for example, with a community-based organization, for Program A - Planning and Policy Implementation, that is encouraged. The CBO could be associated as a partner to the project, but would not be the applicant. An essential key in limiting this program area to encourage cities to increase policy alignment with MTC's Transit-Oriented Communities Policy, which helps cities increase their eligibility for regional funding.

Supporting connections to transit stations and transit centers can be funded through Program A. While the grant can’t fund construction, it can support planning-level activities and certain aspects of the design process.

Yes. This is an eligible activity because Program Area A is about aligning policies with MTC's TOC Policy.

Community ownership of investment model refers to community-based organizations own, manage or invest in assets like land, businesses, or housing to ensure long-term benefits for the community, such as affordable housing or neighborhood economic opportunity. This may look like and is not limited to Community Land Trusts, Community Investment Trusts, and Cooperatives.

Emerging development partners can be focused on small businesses.

Please refer to the recording of the TOC Grant Pre-Application Workshop to review an example of scoring for a project application in Program Area B.

Identifying a site is not required, and you can still ear partial points. However, specifying a location strengthens your application. Similarly, defining specific activities can strengthen provided that their connection to transit is clearly established.

Eligible activities within Program B are intended to increase stability and resilience of communities located near transit. Please review Appendix B, Program B Evaluation Criteria to review how your project can meet the criteria, specifically Section 4 - TOC Elements (Community Served) and Section 5 - Community Resilience.

Applicants are welcome to submit applications on any activities that align with the goals described for Program B in the NOFA document. Eligible activities would need to fall in at least one of the following three areas: (1) increasing the stability and resilience of communities located near transit, (2) promoting and playing larger roles in implementing vibrant, inclusive, and balanced equitable Transit-Oriented Communities, and (3) strengthening emerging community development partners to advance affordable housing initiatives and small business resiliency. Please see the TOC Grant Fact Sheet 2024 in the Related Documents section of our webpage for examples of awarded projects under Program B.

"Increase organizational capacity to establish community ownership or investment model" is not limited to just housing, and could include community spaces or ownership models relating to commercial real estate.

As long as a portion of the project's activities are within 1/2 mile of the eligible TOC Transit Stations and Transit Centers, it would be eligible. In this case, it sounds like the activity would include using the light rail stations, and would therefore be deemed eligible for funding even though the summer camp site itself might be located outside of the 1/2 mile area. Please be clear when describing the project that the activities would span numerous transit stations or corridors and would not be held solely at the summer camp.

A maximum of $25,000 is available for projects applying in the Program C (Education & Engagement) category. VTA is happy to provide transit maps and other educational materials to support your engagement and education efforts, in addition to providing grant funding.

Please review the Sample Grant Agreements available on the TOC webpage in the "Application Review and Evaluation" section. Exhibit C (page C-1) outlines reporting requirements and provides a Progress Report template. The number and frequency of required reports will depend on your project's specifics and timeline, and will be finalized during the agreement process.

Yes, this would be considered an eligible expense as it pertains to this grant program.

Placekeeping refers to the arts and cultural practices that reflect local culture, history or value. It is a contrast from the term "placemaking" which suggests that a "new" place is being created.

Yes. In general, it is ideal for applicants to be in contact/conversation with property owners if the project will "modify" the property. In this case, for VTA buses or trains, discussion with VTA transit operations is suggested. Please contact VTA customer service to begin that conversation. Note that you are a prospective applicant for the VTA TOC grant requesting to discuss a potential project with VTA Transit Operations staff.

We do not have a list of sites, but our intent is to activate areas that do not already have existing activations, and we would like to know more about what is happening at these areas/identify that need in the applications. For example, projects in Downtown San Jose, where there are already a lot of existing events and/or murals, could be less competitive than projects in areas that do not currently host cultural events or have public art. Communities would benefit more in areas that do not already have these activations.

Please contact VTA Customer Service at customer.service@vta.org or (408) 321-2300 to begin that conversation. Note that you are a prospective applicant for the VTA TOC grant requesting to discuss a potential TOC Grant Project with VTA Transit Operations staff.

We can accept conceptual projects, but expect a case to be made a case about implementation, with as much specifics as you can provide. (e.g. evidence of concurrence from the property owner who owns the building where you are placing art, due diligence in identifying the need for permits or other approvals, identification of artist requirements, etc).

Please utilize the VTA TOC Grant eligibility map to determine if your location qualifies for this grant program. If you can justify the goals of this grant are met by your project, a festival is an eligible activity under Program D.

Yes, activations and/or art could potentially be located on VTA property. Please contact VTA Customer Service at customer.service@vta.org or 408-321-2300 to begin that conversation. Note that you are a prospective applicant for the VTA TOC grant requesting to discuss a potential TOC Grant Project with VTA Transit Operations staff.

The Grant does not discourage nor exclude potential projects in areas that currently have activation, such as downtown areas. The evaluation criteria allocates points across various categories; please see Appendix B - Section 2 (Project Information), Section 3 (Administrative Elements), and Section 4 (TOC Elements). Projects that occur in locations that lack art and activation and contribute toward pedestrian safety with a focus on vulnerable groups like youth and seniors can receive maximum points. To be competitive, projects should try to score the maximum points across as many categories of the evaluation criteria.

Overpasses and their associated walls above SR 85 fall under Caltrans jurisdiction. VTA does not need to own the project site. Grantees are responsible for obtaining necessary permits, with VTA potentially offering general technical assistance.