Massachusetts Grants

The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations located within its market area, covering Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and southeastern Connecticut. The Foundation's grants support a wide array of initiatives including affordable housing, business and economic development, youth and family services, health and human service organizations, arts and cultural institutions, educational entities, environmental groups, and scholarship programs. Notably, the Foundation contributes to local education through scholarships at Providence College, Bryant University, and the University of Rhode Island, facilitating students' access to higher education. The Foundation is a strong supporter of the United Way, reflecting its commitment to community welfare through employee contributions and volunteerism. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline: October 1st. Grant awarded in January

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.

This funding opportunity supports grassroots community groups in New England that focus on environmental initiatives and social justice, providing financial assistance for projects led by volunteers or small teams.

This program provides funding to the City of Malden for home rehabilitation, social services, and community improvements that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents.

The Child Health Research Awards Program by the Charles H. Hood Foundation aims to advance child health by providing grant support to newly independent faculty within New England-based pediatric researchers. The program offers two-year grants of $200,000 ($100,000 per year inclusive of 10% indirects) to researchers who are within five (PhD scientists) or seven (physician-scientists) years of employment following completion of training. The grants support hypothesis-driven clinical, basic science, public health, health services research, and epidemiology projects focused on child health. Application deadlines occur in the spring and fall of each year, with funding beginning every January 1st and July 1st. For complete eligibility requirements and application guidelines, visit CharlesHoodFoundation.org.

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.

Community Engagement Planning Grants in Massachusetts aim to provide support to community-based organizations, municipalities, and other entities to facilitate meaningful community input in the development and deployment of solar energy projects owned by electric and gas distribution companies. The program goals include enabling informed community engagement, providing flexible funding for stakeholder meetings and public participation incentives, building capacity for future collaboration in clean energy projects, creating a framework for robust future community engagement, and facilitating discussions with diverse stakeholders.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life for residents of Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth through projects in education, health, culture, and community services.

SMAC Quick Support for Organizations in Minnesota provides grants of up to $2,500 for planning and small projects. The grant is available to nonprofit organizations within the eighteen counties of the SW MN Arts Council service region or on tribal lands within their service area. Applicants may choose from five project types including Art Legacy Project planning, Small arts project, Small equipment purchase, Arts organization development, and Arts organization start-up. For more information, visit Southwest Minnesota Arts Council.

This grant provides financial support to community-based nature and land conservation organizations in New England and upper New York State to advance impactful conservation projects that benefit the environment and local communities.

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.

City of New Bedford Enhanced Facade Improvement Program in Massachusetts offers a Facade Grant to owners and tenants of commercial properties to enhance or restore the original character of their buildings. The program aims to facilitate commercial revitalization, stimulate private investment, preserve and beautify New Bedford’s Commercial Districts, and create a pleasant walking environment. The objective is to assist in substantially beautifying the entire facade or elevation of a commercial building while promoting retail activities, encouraging neighborhood character and architectural design, and using quality materials with good design concepts. Applications prepared by tenants must be signed and submitted by the building owner.

NBForward! is a small business assistance program administered by the New Bedford Economic Development Council (NBEDC). It aims to help businesses navigate the challenges of the pandemic recovery phase while preparing for future growth. The program offers grants of up to $20,000, which must be matched with an NBEDC loan ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 with deferred payments for three months. In addition to financial assistance, technical support such as business planning and resource guidance is provided. Eligible applicants are for-profit businesses that have a physical location in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and have been in operation since at least January 1, 2020. Businesses must demonstrate continued adverse effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. Chains, franchises, liquor stores, tobacco shops, pawn shops, adult entertainment establishments, passive real estate investments, and businesses not complying with all local, state, and federal laws are ineligible.

This program provides small grants to organizations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire that focus on improving community wellness, education, clean energy, diversity, equity, inclusion, and economic development.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont for various charitable activities, including capital projects and youth campership programs.

Transformational Capital Grants Program for Massachusetts & South Carolina offers nonprofit organizations the opportunity to receive up to $5 million in funding to enhance their mission delivery through the development of physical spaces. The grants aim to support organizations in providing high-quality programs and services. To be considered, applicants must demonstrate project need and viability, strong board commitment and community support, progress toward regulatory benchmarks, at least 50% of project costs pledged or received, and a milestone within one year of the initial proposal submission. Priority will be given to organizations with strong leadership and proven impact in providing direct services and programs for unmet needs in underserved regions aligned with the Yawkey Foundation’s geographic priority areas.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in specific communities to support initiatives that enhance social and financial empowerment, improving the well-being of residents through access to resources and capacity building.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations focused on improving community well-being through initiatives in affordable housing, financial literacy, food security, health and wellness, and veteran support.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits focused on community development initiatives in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, particularly in the Northeast, Florida, and Texas.

This grant provides funding to non-profit organizations and schools in New York City, Boston, and Newark, New Jersey, that focus on youth development and education, helping young people achieve academic and career success.