Massachusetts Community Development Grants

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based non-profit organizations to support projects that promote Japanese arts and culture, particularly in areas with limited access to such events.

This program provides matching funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts for projects that preserve and enhance the history and experiences of veterans.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and community groups in Central Berkshire to improve the quality of life for residents through projects in arts, education, environment, and health services, with a focus on underserved populations.

The Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program is a collaboration between the Smithsonian and Mass Humanities, bringing the "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" exhibit to rural communities in Massachusetts. This program aims to enhance local engagement by incorporating community-specific programming alongside the national exhibition. Each selected site will host the exhibit for six weeks from April 19, 2025, to February 1, 2026, and will develop six related programs. The initiative underscores the evolution of American democracy, with a particular focus on issues of representation, civic participation, and the responsibilities of citizenship.Key Dates: LOI opens March 11, 2024; LOI due May 10, 2024; Award Notification July 1, 2024; Voices and Votes Tour April 19, 2025, to February 1, 2026

The FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program is a $5 million fund aimed at helping fire departments across the Commonwealth purchase essential safety equipment that meets NFPA and OSHA standards, with applications open from September 19 to October 17, 2024.

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 grant provides financial support to municipal police departments in Massachusetts to implement programs that enhance roadway safety and reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities.

The 2024-25 Physical and Digital Infrastructure Security Grant Program for Health Care Practitioners, offered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), aims to enhance physical facility and digital security for healthcare practitioners. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to safeguard healthcare services, particularly those related to abortion and reproductive health, which may be vulnerable to violence and vandalism. The program's core purpose is to mitigate security risks, ensuring uninterrupted and safe access to essential healthcare services for communities across California. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are currently licensed healthcare practitioners located in California who provide abortion-related services (or referrals) and reproductive health care services. This includes medical doctors, osteopathic doctors, licensed midwives, certified nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and physician assistants. A key impact goal is to create a more secure environment for these practitioners and their patients, thereby preserving access to critical reproductive health services. The program prioritizes security enhancements to protect against physical and digital threats. Eligible applicants must demonstrate that they provide abortion-related and reproductive health care services and are located in California. Health Care Practitioners who received an award from the FY 2022-23 DP Program are also eligible to reapply. The focus is on proactive measures to prevent violence and vandalism, fostering a safe operational space for healthcare providers. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the security infrastructure of participating healthcare facilities, both physically and digitally. The program anticipates that enhanced security will reduce incidents of violence and vandalism, leading to improved access to and continuity of abortion-related and reproductive health care services. With a total of $3 million available and individual grants up to $150,000, the program intends to achieve a widespread impact across California. The grant performance period runs from September 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026, allowing for significant improvements in the security landscape for these vital healthcare providers.

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

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 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

The Hispanic Fund, an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation of Lorain County, is dedicated to improving and promoting socioeconomic and educational opportunities within the Hispanic community. This grant program is a direct reflection of the Community Foundation's broader mission to foster community well-being and addresses specific needs within the Hispanic population of Lorain County, Ohio. By focusing on areas such as citizen empowerment, neighborhood revitalization, public safety, and educational achievement, the program aligns with a comprehensive approach to community development and equity. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are non-profit organizations and community members whose projects directly impact the Hispanic community. The program aims to achieve significant positive impacts, including enhanced citizen empowerment, improved living environments through neighborhood revitalization, increased public safety and reduced crime, and a greater understanding and implementation of collaborative solutions to community problems. Ultimately, the goal is to address the root causes of social ills and elevate educational attainment within the Hispanic community. The Hispanic Fund's grant program prioritizes projects that provide or work to improve several key areas. These include initiatives that empower Hispanic citizens, address neighborhood revitalization or environmental issues, and promote public safety, education, and crime/violence prevention. Furthermore, the fund seeks projects that offer collaborative solutions or new approaches to existing problems, and those that directly tackle the root causes of social challenges within the Hispanic community. A significant focus is also placed on programs that positively influence Hispanic educational achievement in both public and higher education settings. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the focus areas inherently suggest expected outcomes. For instance, projects addressing citizen empowerment could lead to increased civic participation, while educational initiatives would aim for improved academic performance and higher rates of public or higher education enrollment. Neighborhood revitalization projects would likely target improvements in local infrastructure and living conditions, and public safety initiatives would work towards a reduction in crime rates. The fund's strategic priority is to support initiatives that create lasting, positive change, operating under the theory that empowering and educating the Hispanic community will lead to broader societal benefits and improved quality of life.

This grant provides funding for marketing initiatives that promote events in Provincetown, particularly those that attract visitors during off-peak seasons and enhance community collaboration and diversity.

This mini-grant program provides funding to Boston residents and nonprofits for neighborhood block parties during the Halloween and fall season, promoting safe and festive community celebrations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Massachusetts public school systems with at least six schools to enhance principal leadership and drive instructional improvement through collaborative planning and pilot initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations and community groups in Nantucket that provide essential human services and substance misuse prevention and intervention programs to improve the well-being of local residents.

This track supports projects that examine the impact of climate change on communities within Massachusetts, highlighting local knowledge, experiences, and strategies for resilience. Offering up to $20,000, the grant focuses on narrative projects that use humanities methodologies to discuss climate-related changes and challenges. Projects should not include capital projects, feasibility studies, or collections preservation. Applicants must demonstrate how their work contributes to a broader understanding of climate impacts on local communities.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide stable housing and empower low- and moderate-income communities, focusing on vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, and veterans.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit legal service organizations in Massachusetts to help tenants understand and navigate the new eviction sealing process, promoting housing access and economic mobility for marginalized communities.

The Mass Cultural Council's Festivals & Projects Grants program aims to foster a diverse and valued creative and cultural sector within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This grant initiative provides one-year grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, with a fixed amount of $2,500 for eligible activities, to support projects that offer public benefit through the arts, humanities, or sciences. The program's activities are scheduled to take place between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The Council's broader mission aligns with advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion across the cultural sector, viewing it as essential to the Commonwealth's vitality. The target beneficiaries for this program include a broad spectrum of organizations and the general public of Massachusetts. Eligible applicants encompass Non-Profit Organizations, For-Profit Organizations (specifically Profit Corporations, Multiple-Member LLCs, Limited Partnerships, or Limited Liability Partnerships), Government Entities (federally recognized Tribal, State, or Municipal), and Unincorporated Organizations operating with a fiscal agent. The grants aim to impact communities by supporting festivals, projects, or activities that are free to the public, thus increasing accessibility to cultural experiences. Furthermore, there's a strong focus on empowering organizations led by and serving people of the global majority (BIPOC-centered organizations) and those operating in cities and towns with lower median household incomes and educational attainment, including Gateway Cities. Prioritization for funding is given to festivals, projects, or activities that significantly incorporate or are primarily focused on arts, humanities, or sciences, and those that align with the agency's values of public service and inclusion. Special consideration is given to applicants who have not received Mass Cultural Council funding in the last three fiscal years or are first-time applicants, as well as those participating in the Agency’s Card to Culture program. This approach reflects the Council's strategic priority to broaden its reach and support new and underserved cultural entities. The expected outcomes of the Festivals & Projects Grants program include a more equitable and diverse cultural landscape across Massachusetts, increased public engagement with arts, humanities, and sciences, and enhanced cultural opportunities in economically disadvantaged areas. Measurable results will likely include the number of new organizations funded, the proportion of funding directed to BIPOC-centered organizations and those in priority communities, and the accessibility of cultural events to the public (e.g., free events). The Mass Cultural Council's theory of change posits that by strategically investing in diverse cultural initiatives and organizations that advance equity, they can strengthen the overall creative economy and ensure that cultural experiences are accessible and reflective of all communities in the Commonwealth.