Strengthening Boston’s Diverse Neighborhoods

The Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) has launched its FY26 grantmaking cycle, which includes the Strengthening Boston’s Diverse Neighborhoods Grant. This initiative provides targeted funding for immigrant-serving community-based organizations, with an emphasis on supporting responses to both urgent community crises and systemic challenges. The program focuses on strengthening community resilience through collective care, mutual support, and collaborative infrastructure within Boston's immigrant populations. Applications opened on September 8, 2025, and are due by October 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST. The award notification and disbursement process is expected to occur in mid-November 2025, with funded programs to be implemented between mid-November 2025 and August 31, 2026. Final program reports are due by October 1, 2026. This grant is rooted in a recognition that emergency aid is often short-term and reactive. Instead, MOIA seeks to support community-centered programming that builds long-term resilience and solidarity. Funded initiatives may range from community support programs like emergency response training and rideshare networks for vulnerable immigrants, to resource distribution initiatives such as emergency food programs and lending libraries. Housing-related support, language exchange, tutoring, financial literacy education, cooperative mentorship, and non-monetary exchange networks are also eligible activities. However, the grant does not allow legal advice, direct financial aid, or rent/utilities expenses. Proposals must outline how they foster social support networks, knowledge-sharing, and neighborhood resilience beyond the grant period. The total funding pool is $150,000. Individual organizations may request up to $10,000, while collaboratives or coalitions may request up to $30,000. Coalition applicants must designate a lead organization to act as fiscal agent and explain their internal partnership agreements, budget splits, and role assignments. Award sizes are subject to MOIA’s discretion, and partial funding may be issued, with updated budgets required. To apply, eligible nonprofits must submit their application via the WizeHive platform. Returning applicants should use existing login credentials, while new applicants must create an account. MOIA will hold information sessions and drop-in office hours to support applicants throughout September and October 2025. Applicants must detail their program design, collective care alignment, timeline, outreach strategy, and staffing plan, and they are encouraged to prepare responses in advance and save progress frequently. Funded organizations will join a community of grantees and be required to participate in three convenings: an introductory virtual check-in, a mid-program convening, and an end-of-program reflection. Reporting requirements include a short final program report and a breakdown of how grant funds were used. MOIA will provide reporting templates and may conduct qualitative interviews as part of the evaluation. Reporting must include the number of individuals served and their aggregate demographic details. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or use a fiscal sponsor, serve immigrant populations in Boston, ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and demonstrate sound fiscal management and staffing capacity. This grant program underscores MOIA’s investment in collaborative, immigrant-led approaches to building infrastructure that supports social, economic, and cultural inclusion at the neighborhood level.

Applicants should draft offline, clarify coalition roles and budget splits, confirm eligibility, attend support sessions, and follow budget rules.