Imagine a week where your friends and neighbors experience your community from a completely new perspective.
That’s the challenge posed by the Week Without Driving initiative, and now you can bring this eye-opening experience to your community with help from Active Transportation Alliance.
We’re excited to introduce our brand-new Week Without Driving stipend program for 2025.
From September 29 to October 5, 2025, participants are invited to navigate life without using a personal vehicle. We’re offering ten $200 mini-stipends to individuals or groups in Chicago and surrounding suburbs that want to organize Week Without Driving events or campaigns.
It’s a powerful way to understand the barriers many community members face every day due to inadequate infrastructure or limited mobility options.
WHAT TYPES OF EVENTS WILL THE STIPEND SUPPORT?
Here are some inspiring ideas to consider:
- Challenge local mayors, city council members, and transportation officials to participate in Week Without Driving and document their experiences.
- Launch a social media campaign (#WeekWithoutDriving) featuring testimonials, videos, and infographics on mobility barriers.
- Organize a “No-Car Day” community event with group walks, bike rides, and transit tours to encourage non-driving options. Get your elected officials to commit to participate!
- Work with local news outlets to cover stories on the challenges faced by non-drivers.
- Host a community forum on improving accessibility for non-drivers
- Create an interactive map showcasing gaps in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
This is your opportunity to spark crucial conversations about transportation equity and accessibility in your community.
By participating, you’ll join a nationwide movement organized by America Walks to create more inclusive, sustainable cities for all.
Applications are due by April 14, 2025.
Don’t miss this chance to be at the forefront of re-imagining transportation in your area. Let’s work together to build communities where everyone can move freely and safely, regardless of their ability to drive.
WHO CAN APPLY
Applicants are expected to organize an event or campaign anytime between September 29 and October 5, 2025.
Any individual, group, or organization based in the City of Chicago or the Chicago suburbs is eligible to apply, regardless of 501c3 status.
Due to the small size of the stipend, we ask that all resources be spent on direct expenses (e.g. materials, printing, food, raffle prizes, etc.) and not staff time or salaries.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please complete this online application form no later than Monday, April 14, 2025.
Winning applicants will be asked to report back to Active Transportation Alliance and America Walks about the event and share photos.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Maggie Czerwinski at [email protected].
Active Transportation Alliance is also offering mini-stipends for events and activities related to Bike Month in May.