Massachusetts Arts Grants

This grant provides financial support to established livestock farmers in select New England counties to implement regenerative agriculture practices that enhance soil health, water quality, and pollinator habitats.

This grant provides funding to Massachusetts-based non-profits and organizations to expand and enhance previously funded projects that collect and share underrepresented narratives and experiences from the Commonwealth.

The Grow grant program, offered by the Grassroots Fund, is designed to support groups with existing project implementation experience in their communities. The program aligns with the Grassroots Fund's broad interpretation of "environment," funding a wide range of activities focused on local, grassroots work. The mission is to deepen community work by fostering vision development, increasing participation, identifying new stakeholders, and incorporating diverse voices and lived experiences into decision-making processes. Target beneficiaries for the Grow grant program are community-based, local initiatives, specifically those operating in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont. The program emphasizes supporting groups that represent a broad range of community voices and are not currently being reached by other funders. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen community-led efforts and ensure that decision-making processes are inclusive and reflective of various perspectives. The program prioritizes volunteer-driven groups or those with no more than two full-time paid staff (80 hours/week combined) and an approximate annual operating budget under $100,000. These priorities underscore the fund's strategic focus on supporting smaller, community-rooted organizations that may have limited access to other funding sources. The Grassroots Fund's theory of change appears to be centered on empowering local groups to drive community development and foster more equitable and participatory processes. Expected outcomes include communities with further developed visions, reduced barriers to participation, engagement of new stakeholders, and increased integration of diverse voices and lived experiences in core decision-making. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond these outcomes, the emphasis on "deepening their work" and "bringing more voices" suggests qualitative and potentially quantitative shifts in community engagement and project effectiveness. The grant size ranges from $1,000 to $4,000, providing crucial financial support to these initiatives. It's important to note that the fund does not support individuals, national or international work, lobbying, partisan political activity, land/building acquisition, studies without follow-up, publication of books/reports, micro/re-granting programs, or retroactive expenses. This clear outline of what is not supported further defines the strategic priorities of the Grassroots Fund, ensuring that grants are directed towards community-level, action-oriented initiatives that align with their mission of fostering grassroots environmental and social change.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Massachusetts-based organizations that help early-stage climatetech startups grow and innovate, covering various operational and developmental expenses.

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.

The Entertainment Business Interruption Fund (BIF), funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and managed by the LA Small Business Development Center Network, aims to support small businesses in the entertainment industry within Los Angeles County. This program directly addresses the economic hardship faced by these businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 double Hollywood Strikes. The fund's mission aligns with supporting the economic vitality of a key industry in Los Angeles, ensuring the continuity and recovery of small businesses that form its backbone. The target beneficiaries are for-profit small businesses in Los Angeles County's entertainment industry with $3 million or less in annual gross revenue. These businesses must have experienced at least a 70% loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 Pandemic (March 1, 2020, to present) and the 2023 double Hollywood Strikes (May 1, 2023 – November 30, 2023). A significant impact goal is to mitigate financial losses and facilitate recovery for these businesses, enabling them to sustain operations and contribute to the local economy. The program prioritizes businesses that demonstrate substantial revenue loss directly attributable to the specified crises. It focuses on providing financial relief for critical operational expenses, including the purchase of new certified equipment, restocking liquidated inventory, lease/rent/mortgage payments, business debt accrued due to the crises, COVID-19 related costs, employee payroll, working capital, and outstanding business expenses. A key focus is ensuring that funds are used to directly address and alleviate the negative economic impacts suffered. Expected outcomes include the stabilization of small businesses in the entertainment sector, preventing further closures, and preserving jobs. Measurable results will include the number of businesses receiving grants, the total amount of funds disbursed, and the extent to which these businesses are able to maintain or increase their operations post-grant. The grant amounts, either $10,000 for businesses with revenue less than or equal to $999,999 or $25,000 for those with revenue between $1,000,000 and $3,000,000, are directly tied to revenue size, indicating a structured approach to proportional relief. The foundation's strategic priority, through the LA Small Business Development Center Network, is to foster economic resilience within the entertainment industry. The theory of change posits that by providing targeted financial assistance to small businesses severely impacted by external economic shocks, the program can prevent widespread business failures, preserve the industry's ecosystem, and contribute to the broader economic recovery of Los Angeles County. This direct intervention aims to bridge financial gaps and allow businesses to regain stability and growth.

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is offering the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects across the Northeast. The core mission of this program is to foster competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability. This aligns with a broader strategic objective of strengthening the regional dairy industry by enabling operations of all sizes to successfully launch and sustain their products in the marketplace. By focusing on start-up operations and tangible implementation, the NE-DBIC aims to facilitate direct economic impact and product innovation within the dairy sector. The program targets several key beneficiaries, including dairy farmers ready to begin processing, value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing or business startups, and dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in their start-up phase. The impact goals are centered on developing these businesses, supporting their entry into the market, and ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of the Northeast dairy industry. By providing financial assistance for start-up operations, the program seeks to create new opportunities for dairy-related businesses and products. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible implementation rather than earlier stages like research and development, concept development, or initial planning. This indicates a strategic emphasis on getting products to market and establishing sustainable business models. Eligibility criteria further refine this focus, requiring applicants to be headquartered or based in the Northeast, demonstrate proof of concept, have a robust business plan, obtain necessary licenses, and show commitment from buyers or distributors by the end of the grant period. Expected outcomes include the successful launch of new value-added dairy products, the establishment of competitive and viable dairy processing businesses, and increased market access for Northeast dairy products. Measurable results would likely include the number of new businesses launched, the volume of new products brought to market, and the economic growth generated within the participating dairy sectors. The NE-DBIC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve direct investment in the operational start-up phase, aiming for a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to the successful commercialization and long-term sustainability of dairy processing ventures in the region.

The Greater Worcester Community Foundation is inviting applications for its 2024 Community Grant Program, focusing on projects in Arts & Creativity, Basic Needs, and Economic Opportunity. This program is designed to be responsive and flexible, incorporating trust-based philanthropic principles to streamline the application process, encourage more interactive engagement, and offer diverse methods for storytelling. The foundation's mission aligns with this grant by seeking to build a diverse arts and culture ecosystem, ensure access to food and shelter, and promote economic opportunity through English Language Learning and Job Training & Financial Literacy programs within Worcester County. The grant program targets residents of Worcester County as its primary beneficiaries, with a strong emphasis on access and barrier reduction. Organizations based in or having a meaningful physical presence in Worcester County, or those providing unduplicated services with authentic local partnerships, are eligible. The impact goals revolve around addressing pressing community needs through creative and innovative solutions, fostering equity, amplifying community voice, and disrupting existing systems. The program prioritizes three key focus areas. Arts & Creativity aims to build and support a diverse and strong arts and culture ecosystem where all individuals feel they belong. Basic Needs concentrates on ensuring all community residents have access to food and shelter. Economic Opportunity focuses on English Language Learning programs and Job Training & Financial Literacy programs to empower individuals and enhance their financial well-being. Projects will be assessed based on several selection criteria, which inherently define the expected outcomes and measurable results. These include the feasibility of the proposed work and budget within the grant range ($2,500 - $25,000), the level of access and barrier reduction created for Worcester County residents, and the degree of creative or innovative solutions provided for community needs. Furthermore, projects must demonstrate measurable and manageable goals and outcomes aligned with one or more of the specified focus areas, along with an organizational commitment to equity, community voice, and systems disruption, backed by sound financial and governance functions.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Berkshire Taconic region to support capacity-building projects that enhance governance, diversity, and overall effectiveness in serving their communities.

The Cambridge Small Business E-Commerce Grant is a program initiated by the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to provide relief to local businesses significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant's primary objective is to assist Cambridge businesses in maintaining competitiveness, addressing the increased reliance on online ordering and shopping that emerged during the pandemic restrictions. This program directly aligns with a mission to support local economic resilience and adapt to evolving market demands, particularly for small businesses that may lack the resources to pivot effectively to digital operations. The City of Cambridge, as the donor, is strategically investing in its local economy to mitigate the long-term impact of the pandemic on its small business community. The target beneficiaries of this grant are non-franchise businesses located and operating in Cambridge, MA, with 25 or fewer full-time employees, established on or before March 3, 2021, and still in operation. A key criterion for eligibility is the demonstration of lost sales or revenue between 2019 (pre-COVID-19) or 2020 and 2021 through business tax returns or profit and loss statements. The program also specifically targets businesses that need a website, an e-commerce or online ordering/booking system, or a new point-of-sale, scheduling, or register system that can connect to a website, or those that have recently upgraded these systems after March 3, 2021. This focus ensures that the grant reaches businesses most in need of digital transformation to remain viable. The grant prioritizes improvements in e-commerce, software, and point-of-sale systems, offering up to $4,000 for these upgrades. Additionally, it supports training to empower business owners to manage and update their e-commerce websites independently. The expected outcomes include enhanced online presence for local businesses, increased capacity for online sales and operations, and a more competitive small business sector in Cambridge. Measurable results would include the number of businesses that establish or upgrade their e-commerce capabilities, the adoption rates of new software and POS systems, and potentially, the ability of these businesses to demonstrate a recovery or increase in sales/revenue post-grant utilization by December 31, 2024. The underlying theory of change for this program is that by providing targeted financial assistance and support for digital transformation, the City of Cambridge can directly address the economic challenges faced by its small businesses due to the pandemic. By enabling these businesses to adapt to the shift towards online commerce, the grant aims to not only prevent closures but also foster long-term growth and stability. The strategic priorities of the City of Cambridge, as evidenced by this grant, include local economic development, community resilience, and ensuring that its small businesses can thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

This grant provides funding for experienced artists to lead collaborative art projects with children from local after-school programs, culminating in an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Transit Connectivity Grant Program provides up to $10 million in grants to Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs). This program, authorized by Section 1596-2406 of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Act, aims to foster connectivity between existing public transportation routes, encompassing both RTA and MBTA routes. The core mission of this grant program is to enhance the overall accessibility and efficiency of public transit throughout Massachusetts, aligning with broader goals of promoting sustainable transportation and community development. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) in Massachusetts. Through the creation or alteration of routes, the program ultimately seeks to benefit the general public, particularly low-income individuals, by providing increased access to public transportation. The impact goals are centered on improving the public transit experience by increasing ridership, extending the total mileage covered in single trips (thereby increasing coverage), and ensuring that these improvements reach underserved communities. The program prioritizes operating projects that directly address three key criteria: opportunities for increased ridership, opportunities for increased total mileage covered in a single trip (coverage), and opportunities to reach low-income individuals. Awards are made on a competitive basis, indicating a strategic focus on projects that demonstrate the most potential for achieving these objectives and providing a clear return on investment in terms of public benefit. The expected outcomes include a more interconnected and efficient public transportation system across the state. Measurable results will likely involve tracking increases in ridership numbers, the expansion of transit coverage as measured by total mileage, and the demonstrable impact on low-income communities. While not explicitly detailed as a "theory of change" in the provided text, the underlying strategy is that by investing in improved transit connectivity, MassDOT will create a more equitable and effective public transportation network, thereby enhancing the quality of life for residents and contributing to economic vitality.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Berkshire Taconic region for innovative projects that improve environmental quality and promote community health, with a focus on engaging at-risk and low-income youth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and collaborations that address community needs in Andover, Lawrence, and North Andover, focusing on areas such as basic needs, economic development, education, and environmental stewardship.

This grant provides funding for innovative arts and culture projects that address community challenges and enhance the vibrancy of New Bedford, Massachusetts, benefiting its residents, visitors, and businesses.

The Zollner Foundation offers grants to support educational organizations, hospitals, YMCA and Boy Scout organizations, and other charitable organizations primarily in the Fort Wayne, IN and Golden Beach, FL areas. The foundation's mission aligns with supporting community well-being through strategic investments in key sectors. This grant program is designed to foster positive community development and address critical needs in health, education, and human services within its specified geographic focus. The target beneficiaries include a diverse range of non-profit entities such as educational organizations, hospitals, and youth-focused groups like the YMCA and Boy Scouts. The impact goals are broad, aiming to enhance educational opportunities, improve health outcomes, and strengthen human services for residents in Fort Wayne, IN, and Golden Beach, FL. The foundation seeks to empower these organizations to provide vital services and programs that contribute to the overall betterment of the community. The foundation's grantmaking priorities show a clear focus on specific areas. Preference is given to requests for scholarship, research, and educational purposes at educational organizations across the United States, as well as general charitable organizations in Fort Wayne, IN, and Golden Beach, FL. Hospitals and youth organizations in these regions are also high-priority recipients. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its emphasis on these core areas, suggesting a theory of change that centers on supporting established community pillars to achieve widespread positive effects. Expected outcomes include improved access to education, enhanced healthcare services, and robust support systems for youth development. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of quantitative targets, the average grant size of $5,000 to $15,000 and average total giving per year of $350,000 indicate a commitment to providing substantial support to a considerable number of organizations. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by funding these critical community services, it will contribute to a healthier, more educated, and more civically engaged populace in its target areas.

This funding opportunity provides $7,500 to individuals or organizations in Cambridge to create artistic projects that promote social justice and engage with underserved communities.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Massachusetts that provide education, health care, and human services specifically for underserved populations, with a focus on improving the lives of elderly women.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in implementing one-year projects that improve their capacity and effectiveness, focusing on initiatives that can be sustained without ongoing fundraising.