Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (Washington, DC)Click map for a full size active view.
We started in 1972 when the average number of collisions at U.S. highway-rail grade crossings had risen above 12,000 incidents annually. To address this, the Idaho governor's office, along with the Idaho Peace Officers and Union Pacific Railroad launched a six-week public awareness educational campaign called Operation Lifesaver to promote highway-rail grade crossing safety. After Idaho's crossing-related fatalities fell that year by 43%, the successful program was adopted by Nebraska (1973) and Kansas and Georgia the following year. Within a decade it had spread around the country; in 1986 a non-profit national Operation Lifesaver office was created to help support the efforts of state OL programs and raise national awareness on highway-rail grade crossing issues.
Today Operation Lifesaver's network of certified volunteer speakers and trained instructors offer free rail safety education programs in fifty states. We speak to school groups, driver education classes, community audiences, professional drivers, law enforcement officers, and emergency responders. Our programs are co-sponsored by federal, state and local government agencies, highway safety organizations and America's railroads. Together we promote the three E's - education, enforcement and engineering - to keep people safe around the tracks and railway crossings within our communities.
Trains - passenger, light-rail, and freight - offer among the most efficient transportation available to move us into the 21st century. U.S. Department of Transportation projections calling for substantial increases in rail transport over the next three decades mean that we, along with rail safety partners in the rail industry and at the federal, state and local levels, must work together to meet the safety challenges that accompany a rail renaissance. As advanced technology helps build quieter, faster trains, our responsibility to teach people how to be safe around them increases, too. At Operation Lifesaver, we're committed to raising awareness and improving public safety on and around highway-rail grade crossings and tracks through public awareness and education; we're committed to saving lives.
Reimbursement for the following types of expenses within the following categories:
• IRS Form 990 tax preparation reimbursement (up to $250yr, No matching funds required)
• Audit/Compilation reimbursement (up to $500yr, NO matching funds required)
• Payroll service reimbursement (NO cap on amount, NO matching funds required
• Computer/web technical assistance expense reimbursement (up to $250yr NO matching funds required)
• Legal Assistance Services provided by OLI's attorney (PREAPPROVAL by OLI President required; cap to be determined on an individual basis, NO matching funds required)
Grantmaker accepts unsolicited applications.
Grant
| Cycle name |
Applications opened |
Applications closed |
|---|---|---|
| ADMIN | October 1 | November 15 |
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Admin State Grant Spreadsheet 2023-2024.xlsx | Please complete this spreadsheet and upload with your receipts/documents. |
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Eligible recipients of these grants include transit agencies and governmental entities that provide transit service. The project must relate to rail safety education for the public, including commuter rail, heavy rail, light rail and streetcars. Bus safety activities are not eligible. The rail service must either be currently operating or expected to begin operating within 36 months of the date of application.
Education and outreach materials developed using these grant funds will be:
* Developed in consultation with the State Coordinator of the state Operation Lifesaver (OL) program (if applicable)
* Reviewed and approved by Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI)
* Co-branded by the transit agency and Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
* Made available to the public at large and for use by other transit agencies on OLI's website
In addition to answering application questions, applicants must submit a letter from their Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator supporting the project.
*Travel expenses and Food & Beverage expenses are not eligible.
If a transit agency or State/local government applies for a Competitive Rail Transit Safety Education Grant, this application must be developed in coordination with your State Operation Lifesaver program. Contact information for Operation Lifesaver State Coordinators is located at: https://oli.org/state-coordinators
Grantmaker accepts unsolicited applications.
Grant
| Cycle name |
Applications opened |
Applications closed |
|---|---|---|
| FTA | July 1 | September 4 |
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Budget Worksheet.xlsx | Use this spreadsheet for your grant budget. |
| SC-letter-endorsing-application-sample.docx | Please have your Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator sign this document after you have shared your project idea with them. Then upload a scanned copy of the signed letter on the Program Documents page. To find the State Coordinator in your state, please click on this link: https://oli.org/state-coordinators If your state does not currently have a State Coordinator, please contact Wende Corcoran at wcorcoran@oli.org for guidance. |
| Grant Match Formula Grant Budget Tips_FTA .docx | Tips on calculating your required match. |
| 2024 Transit Grant Agreement.docx | 2024 Transit Grant Agreement, to be executed if awarded the grant funds. |
| 2024 Grant Application Information Sheet.docx | Grant Application Information Document - find all the details needed for applying for the transit grant. |
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• State OL programs may apply for an innovative grant where funds are used for an educational project, program, materials, etc.
• The grant review committee will be selecting one (1) grant that has the most innovative idea/project for addressing trespassing and/or grade crossing incidents around highway-rail grade crossings, and will best help accomplish OL’s overall mission.
• One grant will be awarded, capped at $50,000. No matching funds are required.
• 90% will be paid in advance of the project, and 10% upon submission of the final report.
Grantmaker accepts unsolicited applications.
Grant
| Cycle name |
Applications opened |
Applications closed |
|---|---|---|
| Year | December 16 | March 3 |
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| 2023 Innovative Grant Budget Worksheet.xlsx | Use this spreadsheet for you mandatory budget worksheet. |
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Operation Lifesaver’s National Office was awarded a 2019 grant, on behalf of the Posner Family Foundation. Grant funds may be used by Operation Lifesaver state programs for volunteer travel reimbursement (not intended for State Coordinator travel), including:
a. OL Authorized Volunteer travel to offer a presentation(s) to a high-risk, or target audience that may require a travel stipend, and/or
b. a new Coach’s training travel costs, and/or
c. any participant’s or Coach’s travel costs for Face-to-Face classes (State Coordinator travel cost not eligible).
Grantmaker accepts unsolicited applications.
Grant
| Cycle name |
Applications opened |
Applications closed |
|---|---|---|
| Year | June 1 | June 10 |
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Travel Expense Reimbursement Worksheet.xlsx | Use this spreadsheet to show reimbursable expenses; one volunteer per spreadsheet. |
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• State OL programs may apply for merit-based, competitive grant funding to support highway-rail grade crossing safety projects.
• Projects may include public service announcements or other public outreach materials.
• Grants are capped at $20,000, and will be paid in two installments, 50% in advance of project initiation, and 50% upon submission of final report.
• Final report must include documentation of at least 20% non-federal matching funds
2024 OLI Competitive Crossing Safety State Grants (FHWA Subaward)
Each grant awarded by OLI will be a subaward to the below-listed Federal Cooperative Agreement. As such, each applicant must review, and agree to abide by, the additional requirements of the award detailed below.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Award ID Number: FHWA-50001
FAIN: 693JJ31950001
CFDA Number: 20.200
Total Award: $3,004,278
Period of Performance: 8/14/19-8/13/25
R&D: This award does not include research and development activities
Indirect Costs: De minimis 10% indirect cost rate
Award Summary Description: Award to Operation Lifesaver, Inc. to provide public education, awareness, and safety programs related to highway-rail grade crossing safety in the United States.
Additional Requirements:
1. All grants must be used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award.
2. Grantee agrees to permit OLI and its auditors to have access to its records and financial statements as necessary for OLI to meet it monitoring and management requirements.
3. Certifications. By submission of online application for this grant, the State OL program hereby certifies, to the best of his/her knowledge and belief, that the following statements are true. Awardees shall provide immediate written notice to OLI if, at any time prior to or during the period of performance of the sub-award, he/she learns that these certifications were erroneous when application was made or have become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.
a. Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion – in accordance with the provisions of Appendix B to 49 CFR Part 29, the State OL program certifies that neither it nor its principals is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency.
b. Drug-Free Workplace Program – pursuant to 49 CFR Part 32, the State OL program certifies that it will continue to provide a drug-free workplace.
c. Single Audit Verification – in accordance with provisions of CFR 200.501 Subpart F, the State OL program certifies that it utilizes an independent public accounting firm to conduct Single Audits (if required).
OLI Competitive Grant Official Contact Information:
Wende Corcoran, Vice President OLI
wcorcoran@oli.org
Grantmaker accepts unsolicited applications.
Grant
| Cycle name |
Applications opened |
Applications closed |
|---|---|---|
| FHWA_B | April 17 | June 21 |
| FHWA_A | December 15 | February 18 |
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| 2024 FHWA Crossing Grant Budget Worksheet.xlsx | Use this spreadsheet to plan and show your project budget and match amounts. |
| FHWA Grant Match Formula Tips.doc | Use this document to help you calculate how much match you need for your grant based on the minimum requirement. |
| In-Kind Match Form.doc | Use this form to document in-kind contributions |
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• State OL programs may apply for merit-based, competitive grant funding to support innovative grade crossing safety or trespass prevention projects.
• Projects may include public service announcements or other public outreach materials. Grants may not include equipment, such as vehicles, trailers, etc.
• Grants are capped at $20,000 and will be paid in two installments; 75% in advance of project initiation, and 25% upon submission of final report.
• Final report must include documentation of at least 25% nonfederal matching funds.
Grantmaker accepts unsolicited applications.
Grant
| Cycle name |
Applications opened |
Applications closed |
|---|---|---|
| FRA | December 19 | February 20 |
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| SAMPLE FRA 2025 Grant App Budget Worksheet.xlsx | Use this SAMPLE BUDGET as a guide to completing your required budget. |
| FRA 2025 Grant App Budget Worksheet.xlsx | Use this spreadsheet for your required budget submission. |
| Grant Match Formula Tips.doc | Use this document to determine how much match you need for the amount of grant money you are requesting. Also, a few tips on what to include in your budget for possible maximum points from the evaluation committee. |
| In-Kind Match Form.doc | Use this form to document in-kind matches. |
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Operation Lifesaver’s National Office was awarded a 2024 grant, on behalf of the Posner Foundation. Grant funds may be used by Operation Lifesaver state programs for OL education and promotional items, including:
a. Operation Lifesaver brochures, pamphlets, books, or any education material with OL safety messages,
b. Operation Lifesaver promotional materials that either have a safety message, the state website, or oli.org on it
Grant Rules
• Each Operation Lifesaver state program may receive a maximum reimbursement of $1000.00 in 2024 for any eligible reimbursable costs.
• There is no match required for this grant.
• Education items or promotional items purchased with these grant funds need to be used by the state OL program at a state or community event, by an OLAV at a presentation, at OLAV Face-to-Face classes, partner meetings, etc.
• All promotional items either need to have a safety message, the state OL website or oli.org on it.
• REQUIRED: A minimum of one (1), and up to five (5) photos and/or videos of the event, or presentation when these items were used or will be used. These photos may be used and shared by OLI on future promotional materials and/or website. If the event has not happened by the closing of the grant, please include a photo of a similar event from a past year.
• Receipts need to be dated January 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024.
• All eligible reimbursable costs are at the sole discretion of the OLI.
• Each state can apply one (1) time, for an amount of up to $1000.00.
• All reimbursable expenses need to be submitted no later than midnight October 31, 2024.
Grantmaker accepts unsolicited applications.
Grant
| Cycle name |
Applications opened |
Applications closed |
|---|---|---|
| Posner | June 1 | November 15 |
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Posner 2024 Education and Promotional Worksheet.xlsx | Required reimbursement spreadsheet. Use this form to list items and amounts for reimbursement and then attach all receipts. |
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All OL states in good standing are eligible to receive $1500.00 in public awareness grant funds for 2024.
Eligible expenses include:
*PSA, social media, radio, or any type of public awareness campaign using current OLI materials
* purchased OL education materials used at an OL event or presentation (not promotional items, i.e., key chains, pens, mugs, etc.)
* any costs related to promoting OLI's safety messages on a state level through web and social media, printed materials, television and radio
* OLAV presentation or training materials
* costs related to OL exhibits, booths, and OL community events.
* Travel expenses, OL promotional items and food & beverage expenses are not eligible.
Grantmaker accepts unsolicited applications.
Grant
| Cycle name |
Applications opened |
Applications closed |
|---|---|---|
| PublicAware | June 1 | November 15 |
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| 2024 Public Awareness Required Spreadsheet.xlsx | Please complete this spreadsheet showing your reimbursable charges; the document will automatically do the calculations for you. |
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This form will be used by any OL State Coordinator for reimbursement for allowable transportation costs for pre-approved travel. Some of these travel reimbursements include: SCRR at NAC, SC on the Board, SCs instructing at Orientations, etc.
Grantmaker accepts unsolicited applications.
Grant
| Cycle name |
Applications opened |
Applications closed |
|---|---|---|
| Year | January 1 | December 31 |
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| 2024 SC Travel Reimbursement Form.xlsx | Use this form for any approved SC travel for OLI, including Regional Meetings, NAC, Summit, SCs on the OLI BOD travel, Orientation/Training Facilitator, etc. |
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Eligible recipients of these grants include transit agencies and governmental entities that provide transit service. The project must relate to rail safety for the public, including commuter rail, heavy rail, light rail and streetcars. Bus safety activities are not eligible. The rail service must either be currently operating or expected to begin operating within 36 months of the date of application.
OLI will offer one (1) $10,000 sub-award grant specifically for creative or unique ways to generate interest in, and lead users to take and sign one of OLI’s online transit safety pledges*. This grant will not require a match and will be awarded to one (1) eligible submission. This grant is eligible for any transit agency or governmental entities that provide transit service in the U.S. Grant payment shall be made on a split payment basis, with 75 percent of the grant made upon the awarding of the grant and 25 percent made after a final report is submitted by the grantee on the project activities carried out, financial documentation, and evaluation of project effectiveness. Any safety best practices materials developed by transit agencies using these grant funds will be:
• Developed in consultation with the State Coordinator of the state OL program
• Reviewed and approved by OLI
• Co-branded by the transit agency and Operation Lifesaver
• Made available to other transit agencies to use the project ideas in their community
*The grant project can focus on one, two or all three of OLI’s online transit safety pledges:
o Pre-Reader’s Transit Safety Pledge
o Kids Transit Safety Pledge
o Transit Safety Pledge for Ages 13 and Up
In addition to answering application questions, applicants must submit a letter from their Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator supporting the project.
Travel expense and Food & Beverages expenses are not eligible.
If a transit agency or State/local government applies for a Competitive Rail Transit Safety Education Grant, this application must be developed in coordination with your State Operation Lifesaver program. Contact information for Operation Lifesaver State Coordinators is located at: https://oli.org/state-coordinators
Grantmaker accepts unsolicited applications.
Grant
| Cycle name |
Applications opened |
Applications closed |
|---|---|---|
| Year | August 8 | October 1 |
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Transit Online Pledge Grant Budget Spreadsheet.xlsx | Use this spreadsheet for your grant budget. |
| State Coordinator Endorsement Application Sample Letter.docx | Please have your Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator sign this document after you have shared your project idea with them. Then upload a scanned copy of the signed letter on the Program Documents page. To find the State Coordinator in your state, please click on this link: https://oli.org/state-coordinators If your state does not currently have a State Coordinator, please contact Wende Corcoran at wcorcoran@oli.org for guidance. |
| 2024 Transit Grant Agreement.docx | 2024 Transit Grant Agreement, to be executed if awarded the grant funds. |
| 2024 Transit Online Saftey Pledge Grant Information Sheet.docx | Grant Application Information Document - find all the details needed for applying for the transit grant. |
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