The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is proud to announce the Route 66 Extraordinary Women (EW)
Micro-Grant Program. The program is funded by the Route 66 Extraordinary Women Initiative, which
was launched in December 2020 as a way for women to help other women along Route 66.
Businesses are struggling in these Covid-challenged times. To respond, the EW Micro-Grant Program
will award funds from a pool of $10,000 raised via the EW Initiative. Grant requests are being
accepted for amounts up to $2,500.
Business and attractions located directly on an alignment of Route 66, that are owned or operated by
women may apply for EW Micro-Grants. Both non-profit and for-profit organizations are eligible.
Mobile operations that serve the Mother Road, such as tour operators, food trucks, and suppliers with
Route 66 as their sales territory are also eligible.
Grant applications must be received by midnight (central time), April 30, 2021. Awards will be
announced by May 14, 2021 and grants distributed no later than May 28, 2021. Interested parties can
download the grant application, guidelines, and other resource materials at
http://route66roadahead.com/resources/.
This round of EW Micro-Grant projects will be reviewed based on their economic impacts. Projects
that help keep in operation businesses or attractions owned/operated by women, or help them
reopen, as well as projects that support the opening of new women-owned or operated
businesses/attractions will be considered. Other considerations include projects that provide
matching funds, how well the project reflects the spirit of Route 66, a project’s impact on its
community, and listing on, or qualification for, the National Register of Historic Places.
The Route 66 Extraordinary Women Initiative and Micro-Grant Program are part of the Road Ahead’s
five-year “Party with a Purpose” to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial in 2026. Focusing on
preservation, promotion, research/education, and economic development projects, the Road Ahead
hopes to celebrate the Centennial by helping the 5+ million people who live and work along Route 66.
More information on the Route 66 extraordinary Women Initiative can found online at
https://100extraordinarywomen.com/route-66-extraordinary-women-initiative.
Established in 2015, with the support of the National Park Service and the World Monuments’
Fund, The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership’s mission is to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a
national and international icon through partnerships focused on promotion, preservation,
research/education, and economic development.
Contact:
Bill Thomas, Chairman
Rt. 66 Road Ahead Partnership
rt66theroadahead@gmail.com
217-648-5077
