Massachusetts Transportation Grants

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center seeks qualified consultants or professionals with experience in clean transportation, municipal procurement, on-street electric vehicle charging, and utility coordination to serve as a technical consultant and project manager under MassCEC’s On-Street Charging Program. Donor Name: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/04/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: In January 2024, the Healey-Driscoll administration provided American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to MassCEC to develop a program that will improve access to affordable EV infrastructure for residents in multi-unit dwellings. The Program aims to increase the supply of overnight curbside parking with an emphasis on positive impacts for Low Income Disadvantaged Communities (LIDAC). In addition to increasing charging station access, MassCEC, in close collaboration with the MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER), plans to pilot innovative On-Street Charging technologies, models, and ownership structures. Through this program, MassCEC intends to demonstrate successful deployments of innovative On-Street Charging options in order to promote wide-scale adoption across the Commonwealth. Through this Program MassCEC aims to:  Increase access to On-Street Charging options and reduce barriers to EV adoption for LIDACs in MA;  Pilot innovative On-Street Charging models that can be replicated and scaled across the Commonwealth;  Develop resources for municipalities in MA to implement On-Street Charging solutions independently; and  Ensure that small and diverse MA-based businesses are included in the Program and meaningfully compensated to foster MA workforce development. Funding Information Total Funding Available: $11,250,000. Eligibility Criteria Eligible Applicants include sole proprietors, professional consultants, nonprofits, institutions or companies with multiple employees. MassCEC encourages Applicants to form a team with sub-vendors (“Applicant Team”) to provide all the requisite experience required for the Scope of Work, including subvendors responsible for procurement, installation, and maintenance of On-Street Charging stations. Proposals must be submitted by a single lead Applicant and must clearly identify relevant Applicant Team sub-vendor(s) with whom to jointly respond to this RFP and their respective roles and experience. MassCEC strongly encourages Applicant Teams to include and meaningfully compensate MA-based vendors and small businesses, as well as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (Minority, Women, Veteran, LGBTQ, Portuguese, and/or Disability-Owned Business Enterprises) (“Diverse Suppliers”). For more information, visit MassCEC.

The Somerville Health Foundation (SHF) invites proposals to provide financial resources for projects or activities in Massachusetts. Donor Name: Somerville Health Foundation (SHF) State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Somerville Health Foundation Grants (SHF) has two main purposes. First, it is to promote and support the provision of primary care and preventive health services accessible to the residents of the City of Somerville, Massachusetts. Second, it is to promote and support educational, research and outreach programs that will improve the delivery and accessibility of primary care and preventive health services to the residents of the City of Somerville, Massachusetts. It is the Foundation’s goal to provide financial resources for projects or activities which will enable it to fulfill these purposes. SHF Priority Areas These principles are language justice, inclusion of underrepresented voices in leadership and decision making, and system improvements that encourage spaces for collective care. Proposals that also address the following preventative health priorities will receive extra consideration. Housing: This priority area can include, but is not limited to, addressing concerns such as housing affordability, stability and anti-displacement, safety, accessibility (e.g. for older adults and persons with disabilities), as well as homelessness and transitions to stable housing. Equitable economies: This priority area can include, but is not limited to, addressing concerns related to sustainable food systems, local jobs with living wages and benefits, healthy working conditions, and caregiving systems. Equity in access to healthcare, services and information: This priority area can include, but is not limited to, addressing elements such as costs, cultural and linguistic barriers, navigation of systems, referral systems, adequate staffing, transportation, digital access, quality, disability, and other aspects of accessibility of systems. Systems of note include healthcare (including mental healthcare) and other essential services and information, such as education, economic development opportunities, financial support, legal services and advocacy. Climate health and justice: air, water, preparedness: This priority area can include, but is not limited to, addressing concerns related to air quality, water quality, and climate change preparedness in recognition that the health impacts of climate change and exposure to environmental hazards are disproportionately shouldered by low-income communities and communities of color. Funding Information This year the Somerville Health Foundation plans to distribute approximately $30,000, funding 2 projects being $15,000 each. Eligibility Criteria Any organization that has been determined to be nonprofit under section 501c (3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code may apply for a grant. Partnerships with a fiscal agent will be considered. Ideal applicants for SHF funding will have a history of collaborating with other community coalitions and/or organizations addressing the specified interests in the proposal. SHF will consider repeat funding for up to three years for any given project, with few exceptions. Funds may be used to support capital expenses and/or staffing to support the goals of the project. Funds may not be used as operating reserves. New applicants, new collaborative efforts and innovative new programs are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information, visit Somerville Health Foundation.

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR) is seeking grant applications to support traditional enforcement activities and develop new strategies to reduce roadway crashes, injuries, fatalities, and associated economic losses in Massachusetts. Donor Name: Office of Grants and Research (OGR) State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: This grant program makes federal funds available to provide police departments substantial flexibility in addressing local traffic safety issues, allowing funding beyond enforcement to include equipment options and developing novel traffic-safety programs. Funding Information OGR is pleased to make between $5 – $5.5 million in grant funds through this AGF process. 2025 Funding Levels Population Greater than 40,000 Tier 1: Max Award – $60,000.00 Population 20,000 – 39,999 Tier 2: Max Award – $40,000.00 Population 12,000 -19,999 Tier 3: Max Award – $30,000.00 Less than 12,000 Tier 4: Max Award – $20,000.00. Grant Period The grant award period will be approximately twelve months. The award period will start on or about October 1, 2024, and end on September 15, 2025. Program Elements  Applicants may propose projects that fall within one or more of the Program Elements. Each Element is optional and independent from each other. A department may apply for any combination of the following activities that best address their specific needs. The full budget, inclusive of all proposed elements, must be within the department’s appropriate funding tier. Note: For the elements being requested, a department must provide at least three (3) measurable target objectives that should be clearly related to a particular element. It’s important that these objectives are measurable (meaning that an indicator of progress can be quantifiable) and reasonable (able to be attainable via the proposed programming). Please see the following examples that may assist when developing your objectives: Traffic Enforcement: Deploy 8 overtime patrols to enforce speeding violations at the intersection of A and B Streets during June 2025 to reduce the number of speeding vehicles by 10%. A department should provide the monthly average of speeding vehicles identified in this intersection for June 2024 (e.g., 30 vehicles were cited for speeding in ’24) and track progress made during their 2025 enforcement campaign with the goal of reducing this number to 27. Pedestrian & Bicyclist Enforcement: Conduct 18 crosswalk decoy patrols over the course of the 6 enforcement campaigns at the intersection of C and D Streets to reduce the number of pedestrian crashes by 50% from 2024. A department should provide the number of pedestrian crashes at this intersection for 2024 (e.g., 4 pedestrian crashes in ’24) and track progress made during their 2025 enforcement campaign with the goal of reducing this number to 2. Non-Enforcement Traffic Safety Activities: Ten Officers to complete ARIDE training. Officers targeted pedestrian outreach activities (e.g., distributed 1,000 pedestrian safety flyers) on Main St. to address this high problem area as five crashes involving pedestrians occurred at this location in the past three years. Distribute 1,000 pieces of educational materials to pedestrians on Main St. since five crashes involving pedestrians occurred at this location in the past three years. Distribute 25 bicycle helmets during a Bike Rodeo event Officers provided 4 presentations at elementary schools on the topic of pedestrian safety. Eligibility Criteria  Only Massachusetts municipal police departments are eligible to apply. For more information, visit OGR.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, to develop innovative projects that enhance community engagement in the arts, particularly for underserved populations.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to regional transit authorities, councils on aging, and non-profit transportation providers to enhance transportation services in rural and small urban areas.

The MassDEP Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grant program provides grants of up to $10,000 to for-profit and non-profit organizations, regional authorities, eligible municipalities, and schools/colleges, for short-term waste reduction projects. Donor Name: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Projects must focus on reducing waste generation and prolonging the lifespan of products via donation, rescue, reuse and/or repair in Massachusetts. Funding Information Individual Micro-Grants have a maximum award of $10,000, with a total available budget up to $125,000. MassDEP reserves the right to award more or less than the full budget available for this program. Eligible Expenses Grant funds may be used for costs associated with developing and implementing the proposed project such as, equipment, signage, outreach/education, event space rental fees, event marketing/promotion, professional services (e.g., legal, engineering, design) and new personnel (consultants, contractors, or staff that will dedicate additional hours to the proposed project for a specified and finite period of time). Eligible Projects  Eligible projects include but are not limited to: Purchase inventory technology or other software to increase operational efficiencies. Examples include inventory management systems, online market-place platform development, environmental benefits calculators, and reporting systems. Develop or expand programs to collect and redistribute reusable clothing, footwear, bedding, electronics, home goods, and other items via social service agency networks, furniture banks, schools, and institutions. Develop reusable transport packaging systems that replace limited-life packaging used in manufacturing, transportation and/or distribution with durable alternatives designed for many years of use. Examples include the replacement of cardboard boxes with reusable hand-held plastic totes or crates and switching to reusable pallet wraps instead of using disposable plastic film used to secure loads onto pallets. Convert from single-use to reusable food service ware at schools, food service businesses, or institutional cafeterias (e.g., dishwashers, electrical, plumbing, minor kitchen modifications and/or reusable dishware). Note: Purchase of food service ware for establishing a new program/new construction is excluded. Install bulk dispensing systems in commercial, retail and/or hospitality settings for food, beverages, personal care products (soap, shampoo, lotion), or cleaning products. Projects must replace single-use packaging. Develop or expand programs to repair used furniture, appliances, electronics, bicycles, or durable household goods for resale or distribution. May include purchase of tools and supplies and/or set-up of training program. Develop textile/clothing/footwear repair programs, at or in conjunction with a second-hand goods retailer or distributor. Creation or expansion of food donation collection, storage, and distribution programs (e.g., purchase of community fridge or pantry at a community center for food rescue distribution). Develop community repair training or apprenticeship program for home goods, textiles, clothing, footwear, electronics, bicycles, etc. Develop and host trainings on deconstruction techniques targeting the construction industry, tech/carpentry schools, or individuals engaged in building and renovation work. Conduct a deconstruction pilot program involving one or more buildings (municipal or private). Promote recovery and resale of used building materials in remodel, renovation, and new construction projects to close the loop and reduce waste. Develop/expand and promote community tool-lending libraries or Library of Things. Develop and/or promote statewide community repair or fix-it events for the general public; set up a community repair space. Eligible Applicants An organization or business (for-profit or non-profit) properly licensed to do business in Massachusetts. A regional entity, such as a solid waste management district, solid waste/recycling cooperative or regional planning authority, as long as the entity is recognized as a governmental body under Mass General Laws. An individual Massachusetts city or town, or a MA municipality acting as a lead for a multi-town regional initiative. Pre-K-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities, both public and private. For more information, visit MassDEP.

The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) is pleased to announce the availability of funding from the Rural Development Fund (RDF), through the 2025 Community One Stop for Growth. Donor Name: Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The RDF is a competitive grant program created to provide financial support for a variety of activities related to economic and community development in rural communities and small towns throughout the Commonwealth. Eligible municipalities and other public entities are invited to submit project proposals to be considered for funding. The program is designed to support projects that address the unique economic needs and challenges faced by smaller communities, which sometimes includes difficulty competing against larger cities/towns for grant resources. RDF offers grants for a variety of project types, including community planning efforts, predevelopment activities, and/or construction. Funding Information Grants in this category will likely be in the $50,000-$500,000 range. Projects that apply under the “Planning and Zoning” category will be limited to no more than $100,000 per application. Grants in all other categories will be limited to a maximum of $500,000. At its discretion, EOED may make partial awards, for an amount less than requested by an applicant or make grants over $500K, as appropriate. All funding for this program is subject to annual appropriation. Eligible Projects  The program will consider a variety of projects for funding support. Examples of project types that may be submitted for considered include, but may not be limited to the following (projects listed under the corresponding Development Continuum categories): Planning and Zoning Category (generally, grant requests are for consulting services) Create a housing production plan to better understand housing needs of the community and identify strategies to reduce gaps in existing housing relative to identified needs. If applicable, create a multi-family zoning district near a transit station to comply with M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 3A. Conduct a zoning review to identify and remove language that hinders economic growth, such as housing and/or commercial development. Create a plan to update zoning rules to unlock potential housing production and economic development growth. Site Preparation Category (generally entails hiring of consultants, engineers, and/or contractors) Create a site master plan, including predevelopment activities, on an underutilized commercial property with the intent to create mixed use that may include affordable housing. Conduct design, engineering, and/or permitting activities to address changes to existing water, sewer and stormwater in a prospective development site. Demolish a blighted building that cannot be recovered to prepare a portion of a parcel or an entire parcel for mixed-use redevelopment that may include affordable housing. Buildings (generally entails hiring of consultants, engineers, and/or contractors) Conduct design, engineering, and/or permitting activities to address ADA accessibility requirements for public buildings and resources. Rehabilitate housing to bring an underutilized property back onto the market. Provide further subsidies to an affordable housing project to directly create affordable housing units or increase the number of affordable units in a new housing project. Infrastructure (generally entails hiring of engineers and contractors) Conduct design, engineering, permitting, and construction for road improvements, including projects that address public safety concerns, such as dangerous road conditions and/or imminent collapse of a bridge or culvert. Conduct design, engineering, and/or permitting activities to address improvements to existing water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure. Conduct design, engineering, and/or permitting activities to address construction of a new water line connection to an adjacent town or making plans to consolidate water districts for an area served only by wells. Conduct design, engineering, permitting, and construction of alternative transportation infrastructure to address ADA accessibility requirements for pedestrians and cyclists between residential and/or commercial areas. Eligibility Criteria  A municipal government, or other public entity, from any Massachusetts town that meets (based on the 2020 Census data) the definition of a Rural Community (having less than 500 persons per square mile) and/or a Small Town (having a total population of 7,000 or less persons). Other public entities may include a Public Housing Authority, Redevelopment Authority, Water/Sewer District, Economic Development Industrial Corporation, a public body created by legislative act, etc. Regional Planning Agencies may also be eligible applicants if applying on behalf of a clearly identified and eligible public entity or entities within their assigned region, with clear and evident support from those communities. Applications must be submitted by a single lead applicant. However, a lead applicant may submit a joint application in partnership with one or more other eligible applicant(s). For more information, visit EOED.

The Massachusetts Food Ventures Program (MFVP) is designed to increase access to healthy, affordable food options and improve economic opportunities for low to moderate income communities. Donor Name: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/06/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The MFVP will provide funding through grants to support food ventures, sited primarily in or near communities of low or moderate income, including Gateway Cities and rural communities. The MFVP will help implement goals of the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan and contribute to the financing needs of local Massachusetts food enterprises.  With expanded investment, completed projects will improve access to Massachusetts grown, harvested or caught food products through the development of collaborations with local agricultural enterprises and private/public entities. Key areas for investment include: food processing infrastructure to meet the needs of the expanding local food system; improved distribution systems to support opportunities for equitable access to fresh local food; and retail outlet strategies that enhance access to healthy food. The following are examples of potential, eligible Food Ventures projects Food Processing Infrastructure – Creation of commercial food processing infrastructure to ensure availability of Massachusetts produced foods and which can benefit low and moderate income households. Non Retail: Food Commissaries – Innovative proposals by commercial food commissaries that connect local farms and partners, create new local food retail markets or improve marketing within low income communities. Proposals may include requests for support for infrastructure, distribution, processing and marketing plans that demonstrate increased access to low to moderate income communities. Food Co-Ops – Proposals for construction, renovation or build-out of existing facilities that will create new permanent jobs and/or  greater access to affordable, fresh food. Greenhouses and Farmers’ markets – Develop and build facilities designed to increase year round access of diverse food production and distribution to existing or new markets to benefit low to moderate income communities. Food Hubs – Capital for infrastructure to build or renovate sites for new or existing ventures that improve commercial food access in low to moderate income communities. Commercial Markets – Innovative projects that connect local food producers and partners in order to develop, build or renovate a large scale retail market, designed to improve commercial distribution of healthy, locally produced food. Proposals may include initiatives for new construction or the renovation of an existing building. Must clearly document a community demand and outline a marketing strategy for expansion of commercial food access and distribution in low to moderate income areas. Mobile Markets/Innovative Markets – To purchase, design, and upgrade vehicles to provide healthy Massachusetts food including meats, seafood, vegetables, and fresh or frozen produce for purchase. Must provide marketing strategy that demonstrates the expansion of commercial access and distribution in low to moderate income communities. Who May Apply? Massachusetts Municipalities. Massachusetts Non-Profit or For-Profit Organizations. Individual Residents of Massachusetts. Examples of ineligible project areas: Funding for audits, feasibility studies or design work. Operation or maintenance costs associated with the proposed grant investment. Staff or consultant time on proposals for projects that have already been completed or for which the applicant seeks reimbursement. For more information, visit MDAR.

This program provides funding to Massachusetts-based clean technology startups and academic institutions for projects that advance innovations in areas like high performance buildings, clean transportation, offshore wind, and net zero grid technologies.