Private Infrastructure Grants

First Literacy awards grants to stimulate and support the development, trial, and implementation of innovative Adult Basic Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages resources and practices in Massachusetts. The program invests in ideas that improve educational and professional outcomes for adult learners and that may not be eligible for state or other major funding. Grant types include Program Grants for project based innovations, Organization Wide Grants for larger scale curricula, systems, training, or teacher improvement, and Incentive Grants for second year replication or for assisting another organization to replicate a program. Program grant caps are generally 5,000 dollars for returning organizations and 7,500 dollars for organizations that have not received funding in the past ten years. Organization Wide Grants are up to 15,000 dollars and include robust data reporting plans. The grant period is July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Projects should demonstrate lasting impact in ABE schools and organizations and include clear evaluation and data collection plans. Eligibility is open to not for profit ABE and ESOL organizations in Massachusetts. Applications are due May 2, 2024. Additional information is available from First Literacy.

The GrowBoston grant program offers a total of $15,000 to nonprofit organizations to support outreach and community-building events related to urban agriculture. The primary goal of this grant is to engage Boston residents more deeply in existing urban agricultural resources and broader urban agriculture activities. These events must be open to the public and focus on activities such as gardening, farming, food forest stewardship, beekeeping, henkeeping, and the consumption of locally-produced food. This initiative aligns with a mission to foster community engagement and education around sustainable food practices within urban environments, directly contributing to local food production and awareness. The target beneficiaries are Boston residents, with a particular focus on engaging them in various aspects of urban food production. The impact goals include increasing public participation in urban agriculture, enhancing community connection to local food systems, and promoting a greater understanding of sustainable living practices. The program prioritizes events that are planned for spring or summer 2024 and are specifically focused on Boston-based food production or urban agriculture. Examples of eligible events include garden-opening events, farm or food forest "open houses," and farmers market opening days, as long as they highlight urban agriculture. The expected outcomes of this grant program are a more engaged and informed Boston populace regarding urban agriculture. Measurable results could include the number of events hosted, the total attendance at these events, and the diversity of urban agriculture topics covered. While educational components are not mandatory, their inclusion would further support the program's objectives. The overarching strategic priority is to strengthen Boston's urban food ecosystem by encouraging community participation and utilizing existing resources effectively. The theory of change behind this grant program is that by funding accessible, public events focused on urban agriculture, GrowBoston can increase residents' engagement and knowledge, leading to a more robust and sustainable local food system. By supporting community-building initiatives, the program aims to cultivate a sense of collective responsibility and participation in urban food production. Allowable uses of funding include event supplies, food, non-alcoholic beverages, entertainment, and outreach materials, with up to 10% for indirect/administrative costs. This ensures that the grants directly facilitate event execution and community outreach, reinforcing the program's core objectives.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in the Brainerd Lakes region to support projects that improve community quality of life and address local needs.

This grant provides financial support to individual artists in specific New York counties for creating new artwork that engages the community through participation or public presentation.

This grant provides funding to individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations in Eastern Los Angeles County to support innovative arts projects that meet community cultural needs.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that serve children and youth in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, helping cover operational costs and encouraging collaborative efforts among multiple organizations.

This program provides solar panels and canopies to mission-driven nonprofits and houses of worship in Wisconsin, helping them reduce energy costs and promote renewable energy adoption in their communities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in central and western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee that focus on education, medical services, and essential human services.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Alabama that provide services and programs for LGBTQ individuals, youth, and families, promoting inclusivity and community collaboration.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to improve their facilities and infrastructure in order to better serve the behavioral health and human service needs of children, young adults, and families.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to a variety of organizations in King County, Washington, to deliver community-based parenting programs, home-based family services, and developmental screening for families with children from prenatal stages to age five.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that offer transportation, safety, and health navigation services for seniors aged 55 and older in the Greater St. Louis area and nearby counties in Illinois and Missouri.

This grant provides funding for programs and services that empower women and girls in Northwest Minnesota, focusing on entrepreneurship, safety, leadership, and personal development.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Cambridge that are working to address community challenges and improve local opportunities across various focus areas, including education, health, and economic security.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to emerging artists in South Carolina to help them develop their artistic practice and advance their careers.

This program provides technical assistance and funding to support affordable housing development efforts for federally recognized tribes and Native-led organizations in California.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, universities, and government entities in Illinois and Iowa that focus on educating the public about climate change and natural resource depletion or conducting research for sustainable solutions.

This grant provides funding to public entities, nonprofits, academic institutions, and tribal governments for projects that support the conservation and recovery of at-risk wildlife species in Washington State.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in the Greater Houston area focused on community development initiatives, including leadership, housing, health, and infrastructure improvements in Super Neighborhood 52.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for music-related programs and activities in New Mexico, particularly aimed at benefiting underserved communities such as rural, tribal, and veteran populations.