Massachusetts Workforce Development Grants

Through this Request for Proposals (“RFP”), the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (“MassCEC”) is offering Climate-Critical Workforce Training, Equipment, and Infrastructure Grants (“Climate Training Grants”). Donor Name: Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC) State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Climate Training Grants will increase access to modern, relevant training equipment and infrastructure and provide direct funding and technical assistance support to organizations that can build and scale career pathways and upskilling programs that help Massachusetts residents access and advance in climate-critical priority occupations. The Climate Training grants are designed to help Massachusetts meet clean energy and climate tech employer needs while providing high-quality training and support opportunities for residents across the Commonwealth. Applicants may apply for Climate Training Grants for programming that falls within one (1) or more of the following categories: Strand A: Career Pathway Training Leading to Employment in Climate-Critical Priority Occupations; Strand B: Climate-Critical Upskilling for Incumbent Workers; or Strand C: Equipment and Infrastructure to Support Climate-Critical Training. Goals Climate-Critical Workforce Training, Equipment, and Infrastructure FY24 Grants Goals  This solicitation is intended to help build job training and support capacity to fill gaps in the workforce for climate-critical sectors through a range of project and program models, all of which should center employer and participant needs in the design and program implementation. These funds will enable applicants to: Expand recruitment pipelines to broaden access to climate-critical priority occupations. Create new and/or expand technical and job readiness training opportunities to provide the skills necessary to attain placement in climate-critical priority occupations. Create new and/or expand career advancement programming and upskilling training opportunities to help workers gain valuable skills while businesses expand capacity to support the state’s climate goals. Leverage effective workforce development models like registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships by providing the resources to launch and/or expand programs. Develop and nurture new relationships with employers in climate-critical sectors to develop job placements and identify avenues for career growth. Establish and grow wraparound and retention support services to address potential barriers to entry and advancement in climate-critical occupations. Expand the availability and/or effectiveness of climate-critical training by securing modern equipment and infrastructure resources for their programming. Funding Information Anticipated Available Funding: $6,450,000. Strand A: Career Pathway Training Leading to Employment in Climate-Critical Priority Occupations:  $100,000- $800,000 Project Period: One (1) to Two (2) year award. Strand B: ClimateCritical Upskilling for Incumbent:  $100,000- $600,000 Project Period: One (1) to Two (2) year award. Strand C: Equipment and Infrastructure to Support ClimateCritical Training: $50,000- $750,000 Project Period: One (1) year to Eighteen (18) month award. Eligibility Criteria The following entities are eligible to serve as a Lead Applicant with the following conditions: Community-Based Entities (often referred to as CBOs) such as community action partnerships, environmental justice organizations, neighborhood revitalization organizations, advocacy groups, affordable housing providers, affordable housing developers, and non-profits. Community Colleges, Colleges, or Universities, Comprehensive and Vocational High Schools, and Vocational Schools offering an after-hours or Career Technical Initiative evening training program. For-Profit entities such as for-profit training companies, trade associations, unions or other coalitions of businesses, clean energy installers, energy efficiency or home performance contractors, financial institutions, or other clean energy practitioners. Workforce Development Organizations, both non-profit and for-profit. MassHire Workforce Investment Boards and Career Centers. For more information, visit MassCEC.

The FY25 Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grant Program is a competitive grant program that will award funds to improve facilities and destinations visited by in state and out-of-state travelers, with the goals of increasing visitation, enticing repeat visitation, and increasing the direct and indirect economic impacts of the tourism industry in all regions of the commonwealth. Donor Name: Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) is committed to helping communities contribute to the long-term strength and sustainability of the Commonwealth. Eligible projects will enhance tourism resources and infrastructure and will aid in destination resiliency. Applications will be accepted for projects that include plans to expand, construct, restore or renovate Massachusetts tourism destinations and attractions. Applicants must demonstrate how the tourism capital project will work to promote the tourism goals of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and the corresponding Regional Tourism Council. The DDC grant is focused on capital improvements with a direct relationship to tourism, and other physical/structural items with a greater than five-year lifespan. In accordance with the ResilientMass Plan, projects that include elements intended to increase the climate resilience of a tourism destination or attraction will receive consideration in the review process. Projects with a presence in a Designated Cultural District, locations within rural communities, and nexus with commemorations of the 250th anniversary of American Independence may receive priority consideration. Funding Information The Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grant Program anticipates awarding up to $6,000,000 in FY25, subject to funding availability. Grant Period Grant awards are anticipated to be announced in June 2024, subject to appropriation. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  A public agency, municipality, or nonprofit organization incorporated in Massachusetts with 501(c)3, 501(c)5, 501(c)6, status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that does one of the following: Produces, promotes, or presents tourism attractions and activities for the public. Provides public access to physical collections and exhibits. In operation for at least two consecutive years since January 2020. Agency must be in good standing with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and city/town: Must be current on all taxes due through December 31, 2022; and have active and valid state licenses/registrations, if applicable. Applicants must have spent at least $15,000 in a fiscal year on tourism related items. Applicant must indicate how they are addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization. Applications must be complete, must include all required documentation and be submitted through the online portal, by the deadline, in order to be considered. Ineligible Organizations: For-profit organizations Any organization whose sole or primary purpose is to fundraise Public colleges and universities, and entities that receive state-level operating support or non-project support directly from the Massachusetts General Fund Organizations not located in Massachusetts. For more information, visit EOED.

Supports the construction, purchase, expansion, or upgrade of workforce or training-related infrastructure to better meet the needs of the offshore wind industry.

Dedicated to advancing the training and certification needs of maritime workers to ensure the Massachusetts labor pool is prepared for operations at offshore wind terminals.

Focuses on funding new initiatives or expanding existing workforce training programs and studies in the offshore wind sector, with an emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEIJ) principles.

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.

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.

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Taunton with fewer than 10 employees, helping them improve their digital capabilities and customer engagement through upgraded technology and enhanced online presence.

Career Readiness and Educational Access Grant Program focuses on preparing local residents for family-supporting jobs through career-related training, post-secondary education and other educational initiatives. Donor Name: Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts State: Massachusetts City: Selected Cities Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The objective of the grant is to advance the economic wellness of residents of North Central Massachusetts by increasing their access to education and effective career development initiatives. Priorities include: Scholarship programs that foster career pathways Career exploration Career navigation support systems Work-based learning programs Intermediaries that connect stakeholders to career advancement resources and services Requirements The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts supports programs, projects, and initiatives within 33-community region that address the Community Foundation’s goals and action areas executed by non-profit organizations or municipal governments and align with the applicant’s mission. Proposals for competitive grants should address each of the following principles: Capacity for impact: Demonstrate capacity and potential for achieving and sustaining long-term impact. Plan of action: Include a plan of action with evidence that the plan is likely to achieve its intended outcomes. Measuring impact: Include measurable objectives and outcomes with a plan to monitor progress. For more information, visit CFNCM.