Massachusetts Natural Resources Grants

This program provides financial support to Massachusetts municipalities for acquiring land to preserve open spaces and promote passive recreational activities.

This program provides funding to Massachusetts agricultural operations to enhance climate resilience, improve sustainability, and boost food safety and energy efficiency through various eligible projects.

This program provides funding to support the modernization and expansion of hydropower facilities in Massachusetts, targeting both existing sites and new projects that utilize water movement in infrastructure, with a focus on enhancing clean energy production and benefiting local economies.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in implementing one-year projects that build their capacity and effectiveness through training, pilot programs, or equipment purchases.

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 program provides financial support to projects that enhance economic resilience, diversity, and sustainability in the Cape Cod region, targeting local organizations and initiatives focused on housing, entrepreneurship, workforce education, infrastructure, and climate resilience.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Massachusetts-based organizations that help early-stage climatetech startups grow and innovate, covering various operational and developmental expenses.

This program provides matching funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts for projects that preserve and enhance the history and experiences of veterans.

This grant provides funding for marketing initiatives that promote events in Provincetown, particularly those that attract visitors during off-peak seasons and enhance community collaboration and diversity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local nonprofits and community organizations working to improve health outcomes and address disparities in mental health, financial stability, and access to healthcare for residents in the Emerson Health service area.

This grant provides financial support to multimedia artists in Northampton, MA, and nearby areas to help them create innovative projects that enhance their storytelling and artistic skills.

This grant provides matching funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts to implement initiatives that address the opioid crisis through prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.

This grant provides financial support to job training programs in Greater Boston, helping participants in healthcare, clean energy, and childcare sectors access essential wraparound services to ensure their success.

The FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program is a $5 million fund aimed at helping fire departments across the Commonwealth purchase essential safety equipment that meets NFPA and OSHA standards, with applications open from September 19 to October 17, 2024.

This program provides financial assistance to low and moderate-income homeowners in Scituate, Massachusetts, to make essential health and safety repairs and modifications to their primary residences.

The Assets for Artists' 2025 Capacity-Building Cohort is a 6-month program offering a $2,000 unrestricted grant and professional development resources to emerging or mid-career artists from under-resourced communities in Northern Berkshire County, Massachusetts, aiming to strengthen their creative practice and achieve long-term sustainability.

The Greater Worcester Community Foundation is seeking applications for the 2024 Community Grant Program for Arts & Creativity, Basic Needs, and Economic Opportunity projects. Donor Name: Greater Worcester Community Foundation State: Massachusetts County: Worcester County (MA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 6/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program is designed to be responsive and flexible and utilizes many trust-based philanthropic principles. They strive for this approach to take less total time for applicants, be more interactive, and provide a different method for storytelling. Focus Areas Arts & Creativity – Building and supporting a diverse and strong arts & culture ecosystem where all belong. Basic Needs – Working to ensure all residents of community have food and shelter. Economic Opportunity – English Language Learning programs and Job Training & Financial Literacy programs. Funding Information Grant range is $2,500 – $25,000. Eligibility Criteria Types of Organizations  501c3 nonprofits, or any entity operating under a fiscal sponsorship of a 501c3. Collaboratives and coalitions with a fiscal sponsor and identified project lead. Houses of worship running community-serving programs that are not faith based and do not proselytize. Large multiservice institutions applying for well-aligned discrete projects. Geographic Location & Service Area  Based in Worcester County and serve primarily its residents. Not based in Worcester County but have a meaningful physical presence. Providing an unduplicated service in Worcester County and can demonstrate they have authentic partnerships and relationships with local stakeholders. Selection Criteria Projects will be assessed in the following areas: Feasibility- the budget and proposed work match and are doable within grant range. The level of access and barrier reduction for residents of Worcester County that is created. How much of a creative or innovative solution to a pressing community need(s) the project or program is. Measurable and manageable goals and outcomes that are aligned with one or more of expressed focus areas. Organizational commitment in the areas of equity, community voice and systems disruption. Are sound organizations with strong financial and governance functions. For more information, visit Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

The Greater Worcester Community Foundation is seeking applications for the 2024 Community Grant Program for Arts & Creativity, Basic Needs, and Economic Opportunity projects. Donor Name: Greater Worcester Community Foundation State: Massachusetts County: Worcester County (MA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 6/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program is designed to be responsive and flexible and utilizes many trust-based philanthropic principles. They strive for this approach to take less total time for applicants, be more interactive, and provide a different method for storytelling. Focus Areas Arts & Creativity – Building and supporting a diverse and strong arts & culture ecosystem where all belong. Basic Needs – Working to ensure all residents of community have food and shelter. Economic Opportunity – English Language Learning programs and Job Training & Financial Literacy programs. Funding Information Grant range is $2,500 – $25,000. Eligibility Criteria Types of Organizations  501c3 nonprofits, or any entity operating under a fiscal sponsorship of a 501c3. Collaboratives and coalitions with a fiscal sponsor and identified project lead. Houses of worship running community-serving programs that are not faith based and do not proselytize. Large multiservice institutions applying for well-aligned discrete projects. Geographic Location & Service Area  Based in Worcester County and serve primarily its residents. Not based in Worcester County but have a meaningful physical presence. Providing an unduplicated service in Worcester County and can demonstrate they have authentic partnerships and relationships with local stakeholders. Selection Criteria Projects will be assessed in the following areas: Feasibility- the budget and proposed work match and are doable within grant range. The level of access and barrier reduction for residents of Worcester County that is created. How much of a creative or innovative solution to a pressing community need(s) the project or program is. Measurable and manageable goals and outcomes that are aligned with one or more of expressed focus areas. Organizational commitment in the areas of equity, community voice and systems disruption. Are sound organizations with strong financial and governance functions. For more information, visit Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

This funding program provides financial support to Massachusetts municipalities for acquiring and developing parkland, focusing on enhancing recreational opportunities and climate resilience, particularly in underserved communities.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (“MassCEC”) seeks applications to its Commonwealth Hydro Program (the “Program”) to facilitate greater energy production and reduced environmental impacts from hydropower facilities that are eligible for the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (“MA RPS”). Donor Name: Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC) State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Program provides funding for construction projects, new technology deployment, relicensing, and feasibility studies for eligible hydropower generation facilities. Applicants may request funding in the following activity areas: Upgrade of existing hydropower facilities, including but not limited to: turbine replacement or refurbishment; installation or upgrade of automated controls; replacement of wooden flashboards with rubber skirt/inflatable crest gate systems; and enhanced fish or eel passage (in conjunction with measures to increase generation). Existing hydropower facilities that are engaged or will soon be engaged in the FERC relicensing process and are considering means to increase efficiency, increase capacity, and reduce environmental impacts, including but not limited to: Installation of minimum flow turbine on bypass reach; Installation of turbines that reduce fish passage injury and mortality; Closer-spaced and/or self-cleaning trash racks; and Upgrades that increase levels of dissolved oxygen downstream of facility. Development of new hydropower facilities that are eligible for FERC conduit exemptions or FERC determinations that facilities are Qualifying Conduit Hydropower Facilities. Deployment of advanced hydropower technologies, including but not limited to technologies that enable: Fish-friendly hydropower; In-stream hydrokinetic power; and Hydropower operational flexibility. Feasibility studies for facilities described in (1-3) above. Funding Information Maximum possible grant amounts will be capped at the lesser of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) or fifty percent (50%) of actual costs. Eligibility Criteria Each Applicant must demonstrate compliance with the following minimum criteria: Eligible Applicant An Eligible Applicant must be a commercial, industrial, institutional, non-profit or public entity. The Applicant must demonstrate long-term site control over the project location and the rights to the water used to power the system. If the Applicant does not own the dam or conduit associated with the project, a letter of support from the dam or conduit owner is required. Note that once an Applicant has been awarded a grant and executed a grant agreement withMassCEC, that entity is referred to as the Grantee. FERC Status Subject facilities must:  Have a FERC license or exemption and be in substantial compliance with its conditions (the need to amend a license or exemption to accommodate the proposed project will not disqualify the facility); Have a FERC order indicating the facility is non-jurisdictional to FERC (the proposed project must not jeopardize this status, as determined by MassCEC in the sole exercise of its discretion); Have a FERC determination that the facility is a Qualifying Conduit Hydropower Facility; OR Be seeking a license or exemption under one of the following conditions: on a canal system where environmental conditions are managed by the canal system operator under an existing FERC license; OR likely be eligible for a conduit exemption (the determination that a facility is likely eligible for a conduit exemption shall be at MassCEC’s sole discretion). MA RPS Status Facilities must be qualified for the MA RPS, or demonstrate a strong likelihood of gaining qualification. Facility Size, Type and Location  Useful Life -Applicants proposing to rehabilitate or upgrade existing facilities must affirm that the project will have a useful life of at least twenty (20) years and/or that plans and financing are in place to make additional repairs to achieve this useful life. Location- Facilities that are located within the service territory of an electric distribution company that pays into the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust are eligible. Eligible Dams  Dams associated with proposed projects must be intact (i.e., must not have been breached). Projects requiring new dams are ineligible. Minimum Technical Requirements  Hydroelectric turbines and generators may be either new or refurbished. However, all equipment should be accompanied by warranties and service support options, which may be subject to MassCEC approval. Related Parties  The Applicant must procure services from contractors using commercially responsible procurement mechanisms, and to the greatest extent practicable, using competitive procurement procedures. For more information, visit MassCEC.