Massachusetts Employment Labor and Training Grants

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.

The John R. Heerwagen Award for Nonprofit Leadership, presented by Middlesex Savings Bank, is designed to recognize and support experienced nonprofit leaders who demonstrate exceptional capabilities in developing and implementing effective organizational strategies. This award aligns with the Foundation's mission to strengthen local non-profits and its belief in the importance of leadership development and recognition within the sector. The grant provides a one-time award of $20,000 to a deserving individual. The primary target beneficiaries of this award are seasoned nonprofit leaders in Massachusetts, specifically Middlesex County, who are committed to advancing their organizations' work and producing tangible community benefits. The impact goal is to foster stronger, more effective nonprofit organizations through the recognition and empowerment of their leaders. By highlighting exemplary leadership, the program aims to inspire continued excellence and innovation within the nonprofit community. The program prioritizes leaders who demonstrate a clear focus on creating and stewarding collaborations and partnerships that yield tangible benefits to the community. Additionally, nominees should bring innovative ideas to fruition, build organizational and individual capacity and expertise, instill passion in their teams, and consistently exhibit the highest levels of integrity and ethical behavior. These priorities underscore the Foundation's strategic objective to support leadership that drives meaningful change and sustainable growth. Expected outcomes include the continued development of robust nonprofit organizations led by highly capable and ethical individuals. Measurable results would ideally involve observing the sustained success and growth of the awardees' organizations, the expansion of their community impact through effective collaborations, and the implementation of innovative programs that address critical community needs. While not explicitly stated as a formal theory of change, the program operates on the premise that investing in strong leadership directly translates to more effective and impactful nonprofit work, ultimately benefiting the broader community.

This funding opportunity is designed for nonprofit organizations in Worcester to develop projects that address the opioid overdose crisis through prevention, harm reduction, treatment access, and recovery support, with a focus on underserved populations.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is released by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announcing the potential availability of funds for agreements. The core purpose of this grant program is to leverage NRCS resources, address local natural resource issues, foster collaboration, and develop state-and-community-level conservation leadership within Texas. Proposals must focus exclusively on projects based in Texas and adhere to conservation priority topics outlined in Section A of the full notice. Collaborative projects offering on-the-ground support for Texas NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged, aligning the program with the broader federal mission of supporting sustainable natural resource management and conservation efforts at the local level. The intended target beneficiaries include a diverse array of governmental and non-profit entities equipped to carry out these conservation agreements. Eligible applicants range from City, County, Special District, and State governments to federally recognized and other Native American tribal governments and organizations. Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, as well as private and public institutions of higher education, are also eligible. Notably, research proposals are explicitly excluded from consideration. The immediate impact goal is to facilitate meaningful, on-the-ground conservation support, ensuring that funding directly translates into action addressing specific local resource challenges and building community conservation capacity. The strategic priority is clearly defined by the required Texas location and the focus on conservation priority topics. The program places a high value on encouraging collaboration and developing leadership. By prioritizing collaborative projects that support Texas NRCS Field Offices, the program aims to maximize the reach and effectiveness of federal conservation efforts. The estimated funding available per agreement is substantial, with a floor of $25,000 and a ceiling of $300,000 for the Federal share, indicating that the funding is intended for robust, outcome-driven agreements rather than small-scale initiatives. The expected measurable results revolve around the successful execution of these conservation agreements and the subsequent impact on natural resource issues within Texas communities. While specific metrics are deferred to Section A of the NFO, the overarching expected outcome is improved natural resource health, enhanced local collaboration, and stronger conservation leadership. The theory of change implicit in this NFO suggests that by providing targeted funding to a broad range of local partners, the NRCS can amplify its impact, ensuring that conservation needs are met efficiently through community-led action supported by federal resources. The agency anticipates making selections by June 15, 2024, and executing awards by September 15, 2024, signaling a rapid progression toward measurable conservation results on the ground.

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.

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 collaborative projects that improve digital access, devices, and literacy in Essex County, Massachusetts, prioritizing partnerships between organizations to address community needs.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide career development programs for Black youth aged 14-24 in designated NBA markets.

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

This funding opportunity provides unrestricted financial support to nonprofits and fiscally sponsored organizations in Western Massachusetts, focusing on enhancing social justice, community well-being, and local resilience.

This scholarship provides financial assistance to women in Massachusetts and New York for travel or equipment related to their studies, athletic pursuits, professional training, or alternative healing, helping to cover up to 50% of the associated costs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that help underrepresented communities in Massachusetts access training and career pathways in the clean energy sector, addressing systemic barriers and workforce gaps.

This grant provides financial support to charitable organizations that serve the residents of Marlborough, Massachusetts, focusing on economic growth, quality of life improvements, and youth initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides reimbursement for Massachusetts employers to invest in safety training programs that reduce workplace injuries and promote safer work environments.

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.

This grant provides financial support to job training programs in Greater Boston, helping participants in healthcare, clean energy, and childcare sectors access essential wraparound services to ensure their success.

This grant provides funding to community-based organizations in Boston that support immigrant populations by fostering resilience and collaboration through various community-centered programs.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Boston that provide employment programs for young adults aged 18 to 30 facing barriers to work, helping them gain essential skills and experience for sustainable employment.