Massachusetts Private Grants

This grant provides funding for experienced artists to collaborate with children in Boston's after-school programs to create a community art piece inspired by the Museum of Fine Arts' collection.

The Public Art Learning Fund aims to strengthen the field of public art in New England by providing professional development support directly to artists. Donor Name: New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Through the Public Art Learning Fund, NEFA intends to foster the continued development of more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout New England. The Public Art Learning Fund aims to strengthen the public art field in the region by supporting artists in further developing the skills, resources, and connections they need to build a more vibrant and equitable community of practice in the region. Learning in partnership with grantees, NEFA strives to learn how we may be able to better support a more equitable and sustainable public art ecosystem throughout the region. Funding Priorities Public Art Learning Fund equips artists with skills, resources, and connections to strengthen public art practices that contribute to more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout New England. The Public Art Learning Fund gives priority to timely opportunities that are: Specifically expanding an artist’s public art practice. NEFA will look for clarity on desired learnings and application to artist’s public art practice. Equitably contributing to more just and inclusive public artmaking in the region. Artists at various stages in their public artmaking practice from urban, suburban, and rural communities across all six states in New England are welcome to apply. NEFA values diverse cultural and artistic expressions as essential to more equitable and vibrant public spaces and recognizes that some artists may experience barriers to accessing professional development opportunities due to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography. The Public Art Learning Fund intends to prioritize equity in funding opportunities. This may include but is not limited to prioritizing artists who self-identify as Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and/or are rooted in rural communities. Funding Information The Public Art Learning Fund provides grants of $500 to $ 3000. For opportunities that take place January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria Applicant must be an artist who resides full-time and makes work in one of the six New England States (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) Applicant must be an artist whose artistic practice engages the public realm or who can demonstrate that they are in the process of expanding their artistic practice towards public artmaking Applicant must have a Creative Ground profile. Proposed professional development opportunity must: specifically relate to strengthening the applicant artist’s own public art practice take place during the grant period For more information, visit NEFA.

This grant provides funding to dairy processors, associations, packaging manufacturers, and educational institutions in the Northeast to support innovative projects that improve processing and packaging in the dairy industry.

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 Bliss, Gross, Horowitz Fund, established at the Rhode Island Foundation, supports charitable Jewish community organizations located in and serving the greater Providence area. Donor Name: Rhode Island Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information Generally, grants for this program will range from $5,000 to $10,000. Eligibility Criteria Proposals from eligible organizations should meet one or more of the following criteria: Projects that seek to develop connections between the Jewish community and all Rhode Islanders, including community service projects led by Jewish organizations; Projects that seek to deepen understanding of Jewish life and culture through scholarship and historic preservation; Projects that provide basic human needs such as food, clothing, housing or prescription assistance; and Projects that support the organizational development of Jewish institutions, including strategic planning, board development and program evaluation. A scope of work must accompany all capacity building requests. Projects must be non-sectarian in nature and designed to reach beyond an institution’s core constituency. Capital requests will not be considered. Criteria The Foundation will use the following criteria in making funding decisions: Proposal has clearly stated goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes; Organization has the capacity to implement the proposal; Proposal outlines a clear sustainability plan; and Organization must be located in and serving the greater Providence area. For more information, visit RIF.

This grant provides funding to New England nonprofit organizations for touring projects that feature regional, national, or international artists, with a focus on community engagement and expanding access to the arts, particularly in rural and BIPOC communities.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit programs that help young people in economically challenged neighborhoods of Greater Boston prepare for successful careers, particularly those facing barriers such as homelessness, disabilities, or low income.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit and municipal performing arts centers in Massachusetts to help cover costs associated with hosting touring artists and performances, ensuring they remain competitive in a market influenced by casinos.

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 funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide housing stability and services for youth experiencing homelessness in economically challenged areas of Greater Boston.

The Educational Opportunities Program is designed to encourage organizations to provide unique and meaningful educational opportunities to youths and adults. Donor Name: Middlesex Savings Bank State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Programs include, but are not limited to: Job training and job readiness programs Adult education and English as a Second Language Credit education and home-buying seminars Youth enrichment programs Funding Information Grant requests considered up to $20,000. Geographic Areas Acton, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, Bellingham, Berlin, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dover, Dunstable, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Groton, Harvard, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norfolk, Northborough, Norwood, Pepperell, Sharon, Sherborn, Shirley, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Townsend, Tyngsborough, Upton, Walpole, Waltham, Wayland, Wellesley, Westborough, Westford, Weston, Westwood, Worcester, and Wrentham. Eligibility Criteria To apply for the A. James Lavoie Scholarship or a grant from the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation or a contribution from Middlesex Savings Bank, applicants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving one or more communities served by Middlesex Savings Bank. Ineligibility Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation will not fund political or sectarian activities. Additionally, it will not fund organizations which utilize a fiscal agent. For more information, visit Middlesex Savings Bank.

The second round of the 2024 Boston Athletic Association Gives Back Grant Program is open for applications. Donor Name: Boston Athletic Association State: Massachusetts County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The B.A.A. Gives Back Grants launched in 2023, with 32 organizations in Massachusetts having benefited since its inception. To date, the program has awarded $400,000 state-wide to nonprofits that advance the B.A.A.’s mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running, in order to build healthy communities. Funding Information Grants from $5,000-$15,000 are available. Eligibility Criteria The competitive application process is open to all nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria: Organization is a registered 501(c)(3) or a public agency.  Organization is not political.  The organization’s program advances the B.A.A.’s mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running, in order to build healthy communities. The organization is located in and serves residents of Massachusetts. Organizations are eligible to receive funding once per calendar year. For more information, visit BAA.

The Albert W. Rice Charitable Foundation is seeking applications to support and promote quality educational, human services and health care programming for underserved populations. Donor Name: Albert W. Rice Charitable Foundation State: Massachusetts City: Worcester Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Program Types Education Health Human Services Funding Information A typical grant range is $15,000-$25,000; on occasion, the range may expand between $10,000 and $40,000. Grant awards will be for a period of one or two years.  Criteria For many years, the fund’s primary focus has been to support nonprofit organizations serving the needs of the people of the city of Worcester, and nearby towns, in Massachusetts. For more information, visit Bank of America.

This grant provides funding to organizations and businesses in the Northeast to develop and expand dairy workforce training programs, enhancing opportunities for current and potential employees in the dairy industry.

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 funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Worcester County for projects that enhance arts, basic needs, economic opportunities, health, and youth development.

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.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and community groups in Brookline that provide programs for youth, particularly those from underserved or low-income families, focusing on areas like education, mental health, and leadership development.

This grant provides funding for organizations in Massachusetts and New York that support young individuals facing intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, or substance use disorders, with a focus on historically marginalized communities.

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.