Mini-grants have been awarded to 15 local communities for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects 

INDIANA — Health by Design is pleased to announce that 15 Indiana communities have been awarded funding through the second round of the Indiana Safe Routes to School Grant Program. Supported in partnership with the Indiana Department of Health’s Division of Health Innovation Partnerships and Programs, these grants—ranging from $10,000 to $20,000—will help communities make it safer, easier, and more enjoyable for students to walk, bike, and roll to school. Funded projects include bike rodeos, Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day events, safety equipment distribution, crosswalk installations and enhancements, upgraded signage and lighting, bike rack installations, quick-build safety demonstrations, and additional initiatives that promote active transportation for youth. 

“Every student in Indiana deserves the option to safely walk, bike, or roll to their school and around their communities,” says Ashlyn Devine, Director of Advocacy & Grants with Health by Design. “Research shows that Safe Routes to School programs promote active lifestyles, reduce vehicle congestion, enhance social connections, and improve student attendance, attention, and academic performance.” 

 Grants have been awarded to the following: 

• Bluffton-Harrison MSD – Bluffton, IN 
• City Life Center of Northwest Indiana – Gary, IN 
• City of Angola – Angola, IN 
• Dearborn County Health Department - Lawrenceburg, IN 
• Delaware County Health Department – Muncie, IN 
• Enlace Academy/Meredith Nicholson School 96 – Indianapolis, IN 
• Harshman Middle School – Indianapolis, IN 
• Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools – Bloomington, IN 
• Randolph Central School Corporation - Winchester, IN 
• Robey Elementary PTO/Central Indiana Cycling – Clermont, IN 
• South Bend Bike Garage – South Bend, IN 
• Southside United for Indianapolis Trails – Indianapolis, IN 
• Vigo County School Corporation - Terre Haute, IN 
• Wabash County Health Department – Wabash, IN 
• Washington Catholic Schools – Washington, IN 

“The South Bend Bike Garage is extremely excited to receive a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant from Health by Design,” says Dustin New, a volunteer with the South Bend Bike Garage. “We look forward to utilizing the grant to develop South Bend's first SRTS plan and enhancing the infrastructure at Dickinson Middle School to serve the kids who want to ride to school. We are looking forward to this being the first of many South Bend schools getting their kids active in a safe manner.” 

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.  

There will be a third and final round of funding available in early 2026. Grants for the final round will range from $2,500 to $10,000. 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, January 15, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET. All are welcome to join the conversation. Register here. 

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About Health by Design: Health by Design collaborates across sectors and disciplines to ensure communities in Indiana and beyond have neighborhoods, public spaces, and infrastructure that promote healthy, active living. 

MEDIA CONTACT:  

Andrea Watts, Director of Communications  

317-496-9739 awatts@hbdin.org 

MEDIA ASSETS BELOW:

Photo 1: Robey Elementary - Clermont 
Photo 2: IPS 88 - Indianapolis

Photo 3:Glenwood Park Elementary - Fort Wayne