Section 4: Funding Opportunities

Sharing Rider Stories

Vouchers can dramatically improve the lives of people with disabilities and others who lack reliable transportation access. For example, vouchers can help people access critical healthcare for chronic health problems, see friends and family more often, go to church, or find employment. It gives people more freedom and independence in their daily lives. This makes it a compelling pitch for potential funders. Hearing about the positive impacts of vouchers can help bolster support for them.

Our factsheet, “I now have the freedom to do what I want, when I want, like anybody else”: The Impact, Creation, and Management of Transportation Voucher Programs, can be a helpful resource when trying to explain how important transportation access and voucher programs are to consumers. The “Consumer Benefits” section includes many powerful quotes from voucher program consumers.

For example:

“Now I can go see my grandkids… and I haven’t been able to do that in 20 years… I’ve been able to go to birthday parties and weddings and funerals and stuff that I wouldn’t be able to go to before.” – Rider

“I’ve missed so many events, really important ones… It’s been really important to me, personal-wise, family-wise, independence-wise. Just feeling not left out, always being the one that’s never there, never in any pictures because I’m not there... Being stuck in four walls for so many years, you know, it’s very frustrating… I now have the freedom to be able to do what I want, when I want, like anybody else.” – Rider

Elevator Pitch

Ultimately, most funding decisions are made by human beings. The impacts of transportation voucher programs on consumers’ lives are profound, and consumer representation, a well-written grant, or a practiced pitch can earn you additional funds. It becomes easier to promote your program the more it expands. An idea is always harder to invest in than a functioning program – keep this in mind as you seek out initial funding. If your voucher program is already up and running, consider asking consumers who are using the voucher program to assist with advocacy and fundraising.

[Add elevator pitch worksheet]

Pitch Tips

• Have an opening hook: Describe the problem you are attempting to solve and how your voucher program helps solve it.

• Connect with an organization’s mission: Show how your voucher program aligns with a funder’s mission or interests.

• Explain the details: Give some details about how vouchers work so funders have some understanding of what they are buying into and what accountability measures are in place.

• Have a clear ask: Be clear about what you are asking and how their contribution fits into your voucher program more broadly.

• Follow up: Stay in touch with potential funders. If they agree to contribute, it’s important to keep them updated on your activities and how their contributions are supporting your work. If they decline, you can ask for a future meeting. They might be more interested in contributing once your program is further along.

Connecting Program Benefits to Funder Interests

Examples of how to connect your transportation voucher program to funder interests:

1. Funder Interest: Economic Development

   • Your Program's Benefit: Access to Employment

     • Vouchers can help people get to job interviews, access training programs, and get to work on time. This reduces unemployment and bolsters the local workforce.

     • Return on Investment (ROI): More employed residents means more local consumers and taxpayers.

2. Funder Interest: Community Health

   • Your Program's Benefit: Crucial Medical Access

     • Vouchers help address missed medical appointments, which can lead to costly emergency room visits and preventable health crises. Vouchers provide reliable access to dialysis, physical therapy, and routine checkups.

     • ROI: Lower community healthcare costs and a healthier, more productive community.

3. Funder Interest: Senior & Disability Services

   • Your Program's Benefit: Independence and Dignity

     • Vouchers give riders the choice of when and where they travel, promoting independence. They connect seniors and people with disabilities to social events, grocery stores, and essential services, combating isolation and supporting aging in place.

     • ROI: Reduced reliance on overburdened family caregivers and social services.

4. Funder Interest: Cost-Effectiveness

   • Your Program's Benefit: Leveraging Existing Assets

     • Vouchers don't require us to buy new vehicles or build new infrastructure. They leverage existing local resources such as private cabs, volunteer networks, and non-profit vehicles to fill gaps quickly and affordably.

     • ROI: A high-impact solution at a low administrative cost per trip.