Massachusetts Local Grants

The Cambridge Small Business E-Commerce Grant is a special grant program providing relief to local businesses heavily impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Donor Name: City of Cambridge State: Massachusetts City: Cambridge Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The goal of this grant is to help local Cambridge businesses remain competitive as there was an increase in customer online ordering and shopping due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Funding Information Cambridge businesses may be eligible to receive up to $4,000 for e-commerce, software, and/or point of sale systems. Eligibility Criteria If your answer to most of these questions is  “yes,”  you could be eligible for this grant: Is your current non-franchise business located and operating in Cambridge, MA? Do you have 25 or fewer full-time employees including yourself? Did you open your business on or before March 3, 2021? Is your business still in operation? Can you provide business tax returns or profit and loss statements that your business loss sales/revenue between 2019 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) or 2020 and 2021? Does your business need a website? Did your business not have a website prior to March 2021? Do you need an e-commerce or online ordering or booking system for your business or your current website? Do you need a new point-of-sale, scheduling, or register system that can connect to your website? Did you upgrade your business point-of sale system (including software), develop a website, or did you add e-commerce to your website after March 3, 2021? Do you have the paperwork to prove you made these upgrades? Do you need training to make sure you can update your e-commerce website on your own? Can you complete your website, e-commerce, and/or point of sale system improvements by December 31, 2024? Businesses NOT eligible for this grant:  Businesses not located in Cambridge, MA Cambridge businesses that recently closed Cambridge businesses that have signed a lease, opened, or started on or before April 2021. Businesses must be in operation prior to April 2021. Cambridge businesses that cannot provide taxes or sales documents that show a loss of sales/revenues from 2019 and 2021 Businesses not currently compliant with all federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to zoning, licensing, and permits Although cannabis businesses are permitted in the City of Cambridge, the use and possession of cannabis is illegal under federal law for any purpose. Since this is a federally-funded program, cannabis businesses are not eligible for the program Businesses that received a City-ARPA Grant (such as the Restaurant-Nightlife Relief Grant or Small Business Relief Grant) and have not provided proof of use for those grants to City staff. For more information, visit City of Cambridge.

This program provides $5,000 to eligible Worcester-based businesses seeking certifications as Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, or Veteran-Owned through the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office.

The Susan Bradbury Animal Welfare Fund supports nonprofit organizations that run programs and services that provide safe havens and care for domestic and/or wild animals in Essex County. Donor Name: Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) State: Massachusetts County: Essex County (MA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information Applicants are invited to apply for grants up to $5,000. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must represent qualified 501(c)3 nonprofits serving Essex County. ECCF is committed to non-discrimination. They support organizations that use all reasonable efforts to recruit, hire, train, promote and serve persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law, except where such status is a bona fide qualification for the service being provided and is related to the organization’s mission. Grants will not be awarded: To individuals. For sectarian or religious purposes. For political purposes. For debt or deficit reduction. For capital campaigns for buildings, land acquisition or endowment. For more information, visit ECCF.

This program provides financial support to Worcester-based minority, women, veteran, LGBTQ+, and disability-owned businesses that achieve certification with the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office, prioritizing those from disproportionately impacted communities.

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

The City of Somerville’s New Small Business Vitality Grant offers up to 12 months of rental support for physical storefronts. Donor Name: City of Somerville State: Massachusetts City: Somerville Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Priority Applications During the review process, priority points will be given to: Businesses that have not received funding from the City or State previously (1 point) Businesses that are opening this storefront as a result of business displacement. Displacement is defined as: a business had to close its previous location as a result of the business storefront relocating from an “act of God” or extreme rental increase since April 2020. Documentation of rent increase from previous location required. Evaluation will be case-by-case as rent structures are varied (1 point) Immigrant-owned/women-owned/black, indigenous, people of color–owned (BIPOC)/ veteran-owned/lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQIA)-owned/disability-owned business enterprises (1 point) Businesses within a Qualified Census Tract (QCT) (1 point) Businesses with fewer than 5 full-time employees (1 point) Somerville resident-owned business enterprises  (1 point) Funding Information Funding will be up to $50,000 in rental support, covering both past and future rent expenses with a limit of 12 months. Eligibility Criteria Eligible Applicants Eligibility requirements for the New Small Business Vitality Grant include: The Business must be physically located in Somerville, Massachusetts. The Business must have opened a new storefront to the public on or after January 2023, or has leased a vacant space and is intending to open a new storefront in 2024. The Business must be a physical (brick-and-mortar) storefront; home-based businesses are not eligible. The Business must have fewer than 20 full-time employees. The Business must have a lease agreement for at least one year following the grant award. The Business must be operating in 5 or fewer locations. The Business must not meet the definition of formula retail – franchises, including independently owned locations, are not eligible for this Program. The Business must agree that if awarded, the Business will prioritize hiring local Somerville, MA residents, with a preference for low to moderate-income individuals when possible and suitable. For more information, visit City of Somerville.

The Chelsea Neighborhood Market & Food Business Grant Program aims to bolster the local food economy in Chelsea, MA, in response to increased food insecurity and economic turbulence exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the program provides $100,000 over three years to support Chelsea residents who are first-time entrepreneurs and food business owners interested in becoming vendors at Chelsea Neighborhood Market. The market, intended to create entrepreneurial opportunities and expand food retail options, will be located near residential areas and accessible by public transport. Eligibility is determined based on residency in Chelsea, operation or intention to operate a Chelsea-based food business, and a commitment to being a market vendor for at least three months. APPLY BY APRIL 9, 2024 FOR FIRST CONSIDERATION. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ON A ROLLING BASIS UNTIL FUNDING IS EXPENDED.

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.

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.

This program provides financial assistance to for-profit businesses in New Bedford that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them cover essential expenses and improve their operations.

This program provides up to $10,000 in kick-starter grants to local entrepreneurs in New Bedford who have completed technical assistance training and are looking to grow their businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

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.