Activation Grant Program

The Small Business Month Activation Grant is an initiative led by the City of Boston’s Office of Small Business in partnership with the Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion. This grant program is designed to support nonprofit organizations in their efforts to celebrate and empower small businesses during Small Business Month, which takes place in May 2026. With funding sourced from the City of Boston's FY26 Operating Budget, the grant aims to strengthen Boston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through community-led events and programming. The initiative prioritizes enriching the small business community through access to tools, training, engagement, and celebration. The grant offers funding of up to $9,500 per organization to support a wide range of activation events. These may include business district celebrations, skill-building workshops, training sessions, networking forums, panel discussions, vendor pop-ups, and markets. Activations must be free and open to the public and held within the City of Boston during May 2026. The overarching goal is to create opportunities for visibility, learning, and collaboration that foster long-term sustainability for small businesses. Only nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate a strong history of supporting small businesses in Boston and a meaningful presence in the local community. This grant does not support for-profit entities, individuals, or groups without a documented track record. All proposed activities must take place between May 1 and May 31, 2026, with no exceptions for later events. The application opened on January 30, 2026, and will close on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. A virtual information session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, to assist potential applicants. All applications must be submitted through the WizeHive portal, and applicants must create an organizational profile to proceed. First-time users are directed to follow specific instructions to register and navigate the application process. Notifications of grant awards will be issued in March 2026, and funded activations must be completed during the designated May timeframe. Applicants must submit two required documents: a recent IRS Form 990 or a letter of nonprofit determination and a signed IRS Form W9. Though not required at the time of submission, awardees must later review and sign the City of Boston’s standard grant agreement forms. Furthermore, a Supplier/Vendor ID is necessary for payment processing, which can be requested online and typically takes two to three business days to receive. Fiscal sponsors, if used, must also be registered vendors with the City. Upon completion of the activation, grantees are required to submit an impact survey. This survey will collect data on attendee turnout, vendor participation, event revenue where applicable, and visual documentation such as event photos. Programmatic questions and eligibility clarification can be directed to Program Manager Lindsey Swett at [email protected] or 617-682-6335. The grant program underscores Boston’s commitment to inclusive economic development and small business growth through localized, nonprofit-led engagement strategies.