2024 Community Nonprofit Partner Program

The City of South Bend is relaunching a new version of the Community Nonprofit Partner Program to make Ride Guarantee benefits available to nonprofit partners in St. Joseph County.

Application period opens on Friday, April 12. Deadline to apply: Monday, May 6 at 5:00 PM EDT. Complete the Community Nonprofit Partner Program application to be considered for the program.

Commuters Trust Overview

Launched by the City of South Bend in 2019, Commuters Trust works to create equitable transportation systems to widen pathways to stable jobs and empower working families and racial minorities in the South Bend region. Commuters Trust provides subsidized and free transportation to employees, volunteers, and nonprofit clients in the South Bend area by organizing distribution of rides. Employers and nonprofit partners work with Commuters Trust to provide their constituents with transportation to get where they need to be; whether it is work, medical appointments, the grocery store, or other essential needs. 

Webinar

The City of South Bend held a short webinar on April 10, 2024 to introduce the program. Watch the recording here.

Program benefits & overview

  • Transportation benefit program to assist adults who face occasional or chronic transportation insecurity

  • Eligible participants will have access to following benefits package: 8 free Uber rides per month + unlimited monthly Transpo bus pass (digital or physical card)

  • Uber rides have $35 maximum per ride (any overage charged to user) and rides must start/end in St. Joseph County; no other time/location restrictions

  • Partner agencies refer clients for enrollment in the program, up to 10 “seats” available per agency

  • Monthly automatic renewal (1st day of month) for participants unless agency unenrolls participant

  • 1 year initial program duration

  • No fee to partner agencies


Eligible participants (referring non-profit must attest client meets these requirements)

  • Resident of St. Joseph County, age 18+

  • Active participant in programs/services provided by referring agency

  • Have 1 or more applicable use cases for transportation benefit (any of following: food, healthcare, work, education, social services, or childcare)

  • Have cell phone to participate in text-based surveys or phone interviews

  • Employees of referring agency are not eligible for this fully paid program (but may be eligible to participate in other Commuters Trust programs)

  • To use Uber benefit: Have smartphone  


Eligible partner agencies

The organizations that meet the following criteria are eligible for the Ride Guarantee program:

  • Organizations with 501(c)3 status or equivalent

  • Organizations that have a business location within St. Joseph County, Indiana

  • Organizations that directly serve clients that live or work in St. Joseph County, Indiana.

  • Provide services to clients who face transportation insecurity causing inability to access food, healthcare, work, education, or childcare

  • Agree to support participant referral and enrollment (and renewal/unenrollment), basic participant support, and data collection

2024 PROGRAM timeline

  • Wed. April 10: Webinar

  • Fri. April 12: Application opens

  • Mon. May 6 at 5PM EST: Application deadline for partners

  • Wed. May 15: City will notify ten (10) applicants of program acceptance

  • Mid - Late May: Enrollment and benefits system training for agencies; promotion to and selection of agency client participants

  • Mon. June 3: Program launch date