Massachusetts grants for City or township governments

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryThe Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing potential availability of cooperative agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to assist our agency with conducting and implementing important conservation whole farm planning on multiple private landowner properties throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. NRCS recognizes the importance of expanding conservation efforts including irrigation, erosion control, integrated pest management, nutrient management and forestry efforts in Southeastern Massachusetts and the beneficial outcomes it can have on the environment. The agreement holder will also be responsible for providing training to NRCS staff and affiliates as well as customer outreach.NRCS-Massachusetts is making a funding opportunity available for applicants to submit proposals with an award ceiling of $400,000 and a minimum project award of $200,000. NRCS will be awarding a cooperative agreement for up to a five-year period. If, in coordination with NRCS, additional resources are needed at a rate that exceeds this schedule, NRCS may add funds to this agreement to support continued partnership over the performance period.The primary goal is to expand conservation planning to NRCS customers throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. The project list ranges in size from less than 1-acre farms to several hundred-acre farms. Applicants will identify the average number of conservation site visits and written whole farm conservation plans that they could complete in any year with a minimum of fifteen per year being acceptable for this agreement. NRCS will work with the selected applicant to make the choice of priority conservation site visits each year of the agreement based on interest and need. Applicants will be required to hold 1-2 conservation focused trainings per year for NRCS staff and partners to expand their technical knowledge. Applicants should provide a list of training ideas to NRCS for the length of the agreement. Applicants will be awarded based on the specified scoring criteria in Section E of this announcement. Eligible applicants include: all domestic applicants. Neither foreign entities nor individuals are eligible to apply for this opportunity. Applicants should be familiar with all applicable state, federal, local laws, policies, and regulations that apply to conservation improvements in the locales of Massachusetts.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 29, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.The agency anticipates making selections by June 30, 2024, and expects to execute awards by August 15, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryThe Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing potential availability of cooperative agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to assist our agency with conducting important integrated pest management (IPM) evaluations on multiple private landowner properties throughout Massachusetts. NRCS recognizes the importance of increasing the use of IPM practices on cropland including orchards and on areas privately managed for shellfish aquaculture production. IPM has been an underutilized practice in Massachusetts This agreement will be used to provide training on IPM for NRCS staff and affiliates while also providing needed technical assistance for NRCS customers with IPM site visits.NRCS-Massachusetts is making a funding opportunity available for applicants to submit proposals with an award ceiling of $400,000 and a minimum project award of $200,000. NRCS will be awarding a cooperative agreement for up to a five-year period. If, in coordination with NRCS, additional resources are needed at a rate that exceeds this schedule, NRCS may add funds to this agreement to support continued partnership over the performance period.The primary goal is to expand IPM to NRCS customers throughout Massachusetts. The project list ranges in size from 1-acre farms to several hundred-acre farms. Applicants will identify the average number of IPM site visits and written IPM plans that they could complete in any contract year with a minimum of ten per year being acceptable for this agreement. NRCS will work with the selected applicant to make the choice of priority IPM site visits each year of the agreement based on interest and need. Applicants will be required to hold 1-2 IPM trainings per year for NRCS staff and partners to expand their knowledge on the subject. Applicants should provide a list of training ideas to NRCS for the length of the agreement. Applicants will be awarded based on the specified scoring criteria in Section E of this announcement. Eligible applicants include: all domestic applicants. Applicants should be familiar with all applicable state, federal, local laws, policies, and regulations that apply to IPM in the locales of Massachusetts.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 29, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.The agency anticipates making selections by June 30, 2024, and expects to execute awards by August 15, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

The Brookline Community Foundation (BCF) is offering a Community Grant Program, providing funding between $10,000 to $100,000 for one year to programs that promote equity and address community needs such as health, wellness, climate sustainability, arts, culture, and more, with a preference for BIPOC-led organizations and those focusing on vulnerable populations.

Applicants are invited to apply for the New England States Touring Grant Program. Donor Name: New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: There are three distinct grant opportunities for New England nonprofit organizations: NEST 1, NEST 2, and NEST 3. Organizations serving rural communities and/or deeply engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities are encouraged to apply. NEST 1 Funds the public presentation and engagement of a New England artist presented by a New England nonprofit organization based in a different New England state from the artist’s home state. Grants provide up to 60% of the artist fee and range from $500 to a maximum of $5,000. Applications with artist fees under $2,000 may request the full artist fee. The artist must be listed as NEST-Eligible on the CreativeGround directory. NEST 2 Funds the public presentation and community engagement activities of a New England artist presented by two New England nonprofit organizations. Tours must include one presenting organization based inside of the artist’s home state and one other organization from outside of the artist’s home state. Both presenting organizations must submit their own application and both applications must be submitted at the same deadline. There are three application deadlines each year. They are the first business days of August, December, and March. Grants provide up to 60% of the artist fee and range from $500 to a maximum of $5,000. Applications with artist fees under $2,000 may request the full artist fee. The artist must be listed as NEST-Eligible on the CreativeGround directory. NEST 3 Funds tours, including public presentation and community engagement activities, of regional, national, or international artists presented by New England nonprofit organizations. Tours must include a minimum of three New England organizations in different communities presenting the same artist. The organizations applying must be from at least two different New England states. Each organization is responsible for reviewing the program goals and criteria, negotiating the terms of the engagement with the artist, and completing a NEST 3 application. Organizations may submit up to three NEST 3 applications. The annual deadline is the first business day of March. Grants provide up to 60% of the artist fee to a maximum of $10,000. Applications with artist fees under $2,000 may request the full artist fee. New England artists must be listed as NEST-eligible on Creative Ground. For non-New England artists, an artist work sample must be submitted by one of the touring partners. Grant period: Touring projects must occur between June 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025. Funding Criteria The amount of funding awarded is based on the extent to which the project meets the criteria. NEST 3 projects will be assessed on the individual strength of each partner’s application and the collective strength of the tour. The funding criteria are: Clear rationale for how the project aligns with the organization’s arts programming goals and its significance for the community. Collaborative planning among tour partners and artists to provide a meaningful experience for the artist and partner organizations and their communities. The featured artist(s) should be included in project planning. (Applicable for NEST 2 & 3 only). Additional activities beyond the performance, which provide opportunities for the artist(s) in this engagement to meaningfully connect with various sectors of the community. Cross-sector exchanges (connecting arts and non-arts organizations) and collaboration are strongly encouraged. Expands access to the arts for all New England communities, including rural and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. NEFA acknowledges structural inequities that have excluded individuals and communities from opportunity based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, language, culture, and geography, and strives to counter those inequities in our work. NEFA strongly encourages charging admission to performances and events for the following reasons: Admissions are a vital source of income to help pay artist fees and other event expenses. Admissions remind audiences that the work of artists has distinct value and that the professionals involved must make a living from their endeavors in order to continue. Admissions purchased through advance ticket sales help ensure attendance. Admissions purchases provide patron information that can aid in marketing, fundraising, and audience development. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for NEST funding, applicants must: Be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, school, federally recognized Indian tribal government, or unit of state or local government. (Nonprofit organizations do not have to be arts organizations. Organizations that do not have a federal tax identification number may apply if part of an official government agency). Fiscal agents cannot be funded through NEST. Be based in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont). Have a Unique Entity ID in SAM.gov. For more information, visit NEFA.

The Research and Education Grant program funds projects that result in gains in farmer knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes that are then applied to make measurable on-farm changes leading to greater sustainability. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: The focus on farmer behavior change is a key requirement of this grant program. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $250,000. Grant Period Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical Focus  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligible Applicants Research and Education Grants are open to anyone who works with farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, for-profit business entities (such as private consultants, farmers and veterinary practices), etc. Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.

The FY25 LAND Grant Program, managed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), offers financial assistance to Massachusetts municipal conservation and agriculture commissions. The program supports the acquisition of conservation land to enhance outdoor recreation, conserve natural resources, and address climate change impacts. Eligible projects include purchases of land or conservation restrictions, and all properties acquired under this program are required to be open to the public for passive recreation. Grant renwed every year

The George B. Henderson Foundation offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for projects enhancing and preserving the outdoor elements of Boston, including parks, city streets, buildings, monuments, and architectural works, with a special interest in permanent public art projects and outdoor spaces, available to 501(c)(3) organizations and not individuals.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and collaborations that address community needs in Andover, Lawrence, and North Andover, focusing on areas such as basic needs, economic development, education, and environmental stewardship.

This funding opportunity supports organizations that partner with startups to advance and scale innovative clean energy technologies in Massachusetts, helping them navigate challenges to achieve commercial success.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in the Greater Lowell area that provide essential services to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ community.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in implementing one-year projects that improve their capacity and effectiveness, focusing on initiatives that can be sustained without ongoing fundraising.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that help underrepresented communities in Massachusetts access training and career pathways in the clean energy sector, addressing systemic barriers and workforce gaps.

This program provides funding to support projects that improve the lives of low- to moderate-income residents in Brookline through affordable housing, public services, and community development initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in New Bedford and nearby areas that assist historically marginalized populations, including recent immigrants and families facing food insecurity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that acquire, create, and preserve open spaces, historic resources, recreational land, and community housing in Wellfleet.

This grant provides financial and technical support to organizations in Massachusetts focused on protecting farmland, improving access to it, and enhancing farm viability, particularly for historically underserved farmers.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, governments, and educational institutions for projects that restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to support diverse wildlife in the Northeast.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations and municipal agencies to improve and preserve public outdoor spaces and art in Boston.

This grant provides funding for arts, humanities, and sciences projects in Massachusetts, supporting organizations that create accessible cultural experiences for the public, especially in underserved communities.

This funding opportunity supports local organizations in Watertown, Massachusetts, to create inclusive programs that enhance community access, promote intercultural understanding, and strengthen connections among residents.