Deadline: 23-Dec-2025

The Motability Foundation is offering grants of £150,000 to £1 million to support community transport services for disabled people across the UK. The funding aims to expand accessible transport, enhance service quality, and enable independent, safe, and dignified travel for disabled individuals.

Motability Foundation Community Transport Grants

Overview

The Motability Foundation has launched a new funding round to strengthen community transport services for disabled people. This programme focuses on medium and large-scale operators that provide vital mobility solutions, enabling disabled individuals to engage with their communities, attend appointments, and travel independently.

Objectives:

• Expand and improve accessible transport services

• Remove barriers to mobility for disabled people

• Enhance reliability, safety, and service quality in community transport

Funding Details

• Grant Amount: £150,000 – £1,000,000 per project

• Project Duration: 1–3 years (flexible, depending on project plan)

• Eligible Uses:

  • Staffing and operational expenses

  • Vehicles and vehicle maintenance

  • Training and essential resources for service delivery

  • Tools or technology to improve efficiency and accessibility

Supported Community Transport Models

• Dial-a-Ride Services: Door-to-door accessible transport for disabled passengers

• Volunteer Car Schemes: Tailored travel support using trained volunteers

• Non-Emergency Patient Transport: Assistance for attending health appointments

• Other Models: Projects that improve mobility, service quality, and accessibility for disabled communities

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

• Be active for at least three years

• Be legally constituted as one of the following:

  • Incorporated Charity

  • Company Limited by Guarantee

  • Community Interest Company (CIC)

  • Community Benefit Society

  • Exempt Charity

• Operate in the UK

• Deliver services to disabled people without exclusion based on political or religious beliefs

Note: The programme does not accept applications from:

• Unincorporated associations

• Statutory bodies or companies limited by shares

• Individuals or organisations outside the UK

How to Apply / What to Do

1. Assess Eligibility: Confirm legal structure, operational history, and compliance with eligibility criteria.

2. Develop Project Plan: Clearly outline objectives, target beneficiaries, services to be provided, and expected outcomes.

3. Budgeting: Specify costs for staffing, vehicles, training, operational expenses, and other project resources.

4. Submit Expression of Interest: Contact the Motability Foundation if your organisation is already a grant recipient or if applying from a school.

5. Grant Duration & Amount: Decide whether to request funding for 1, 2, or 3 years within the £150,000–£1 million range.

6. Evaluation: Applications are assessed based on impact, sustainability, service reach, and alignment with programme priorities.

Best Practices / Tips

• Engage with a Grant Manager if your organisation currently receives Motability funding.

• Emphasise how your project will improve independence and accessibility for disabled people.

• Demonstrate sustainability and long-term impact beyond the grant period.

• Highlight replicability of your transport model to benefit other communities.

• Ensure all proposed costs are clearly justified and linked to project objectives.

FAQ

1. Who can apply?
UK-based organisations that are legally constituted as charities, CICs, community benefit societies, or companies limited by guarantee, and have been active for at least three years.

2. What is the funding range?
£150,000 to £1,000,000 per project, with flexibility over 1–3 years.

3. What services are eligible?
Dial-a-ride, volunteer car schemes, non-emergency patient transport, and other community transport initiatives that serve disabled people.

4. Can existing grant recipients apply?
Yes, but they are encouraged to speak with their Grant Manager before submitting an application.

5. Can funding cover vehicles and training?
Yes, grants can cover staffing, vehicles, operational costs, training, and other essential resources for service delivery.

6. Are there restrictions on beneficiaries?
Yes, services must be accessible to all disabled people without exclusion based on political or religious beliefs.

7. What is the main aim of this funding?
To expand, improve, and sustain community transport services that enable disabled people to travel independently, safely, and with dignity.

Conclusion

The Motability Foundation Community Transport Grant is a strategic investment in accessible mobility for disabled people across the UK. By funding high-quality transport services, the programme helps organisations expand reach, enhance service delivery, and create lasting impact, ensuring disabled individuals can participate fully in society with independence and confidence.

For more information, visit Motability Foundation.