Massachusetts Environment Grants

This program provides funding to designated Green Communities in Massachusetts for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, helping them reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides Massachusetts state entities with financial support to conduct feasibility studies for clean energy and decarbonization projects aimed at reducing fossil fuel use and preparing buildings for low-carbon technologies.

This program provides financial support to developers for housing projects in Massachusetts Gateway Cities, focusing on market-rate and mixed-income housing that includes affordable units and incorporates sustainable design features.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small community organizations and Tribal entities in New England to tackle environmental and public health issues in disadvantaged communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that support farmers, foresters, and commercial fishers in the Northeast U.S. to enhance agricultural and related industries through innovative projects and leadership development.

This funding program provides financial support to the Town of Lexington for projects that enhance open space, preserve historic resources, develop recreational areas, and create affordable housing, benefiting the community and its residents.

InnovateMass is a grant initiative administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) that seeks to bridge the funding gap known as the “commercialization valley of death”—the critical stage between early angel investment and later-stage venture capital. The program is designed to accelerate the commercialization of clean energy technologies by supporting projects with strong potential for market deployment and climate impact. It offers both financial support and technical assistance to climatetech startups operating within Massachusetts. The program awards up to $350,000 per project to applicant teams that include a Lead Applicant and one or more Demonstration Project Partners. The focus is on technologies or combinations of technologies that address key energy challenges in the state while advancing Massachusetts' clean energy leadership. Applicants must propose solutions that align with one of four core focus areas defined in the full Request for Proposals (RFP). An optional "Gridtech Spotlight" opportunity is available for projects that partner with a Massachusetts electric utility for grid technology demonstrations. This specific track has additional requirements, including submission of a concept paper. InnovateMass is structured around a trimester-based application schedule. For the current cycle, the final application deadline is March 9, 2026. However, applicants pursuing the Gridtech Spotlight opportunity must submit their concept papers to utility project partners by January 12, 2026. Notifications for finalists will occur in mid-April 2026, followed by pitch coaching through late May. Final pitches are expected during the week of May 25, 2026, with awards announced in early July. Funded projects are scheduled to begin by September 2026. Eligible applicants include climatetech startup companies that form Applicant Teams with relevant project partners. Applicants may submit up to two different projects per cycle, and prior awardees may reapply with distinctly new technologies. A Public Benefit Site designation—applying to public facilities, affordable housing, or underserved geographic areas—may reduce the required cost share to 25%. Projects must be located in Massachusetts, and companies must meet a combination of operational presence requirements to qualify as Massachusetts-based. The two-part application process involves submitting a written application followed by an invitation-only pitch presentation to a panel of judges. Gridtech Spotlight participants follow a three-step process, beginning with a concept paper. All full applications must be submitted via a new application portal launching in January 2026. A sample application is provided in the RFP for reference but should not be submitted. Visual elements are permitted within application materials, and evaluation criteria include climate impact potential, project feasibility, and commercialization readiness. For questions, applicants may contact MassCEC at innovate@masscec.com or consult the Business Front Door resource for guidance on additional state support services. Full details, including technical assistance roles, project partner requirements, and Total Addressable Carbon analysis expectations, are available in the InnovateMass RFP.

The Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust offers grants to organizations that develop programs centered around arts, music, crafts, conservation, wildlife, and history preservation. The trust's mission is aligned with supporting initiatives that enrich communities through cultural, environmental, and historical engagement. The grants are intended to confer a benefit upon the citizens, particularly children and adults, in the towns of Westport and Dartmouth, and the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The primary target beneficiaries are children and adults residing in Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford, MA, who will participate in educational or cultural experiences. The impact goals include fostering appreciation and understanding of the arts, music, crafts, conservation, wildlife, and local history within these communities, thereby enhancing the quality of life and cultural enrichment for residents. The trust's priorities and focuses are clearly defined: programs must relate to conservation, wildlife, history of the area, and/or the promotion of music, the arts, and crafts. While open to all counties, there is a strong preference for programs that directly benefit Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford. Furthermore, proposals of equal merit will be prioritized if submitted by organizations located within the Town of Westport, MA, highlighting a strategic focus on local community development. Expected outcomes include increased participation in cultural and educational programs, greater awareness of local history and environmental issues, and the promotion of artistic and musical expression among the target populations. Measurable results could include attendance numbers at events, participant feedback, and the successful execution of conservation or preservation projects. The foundation's strategic priority is to support programs that align with its core thematic areas and demonstrate a direct benefit to the specified Massachusetts communities.

This program provides funding to Massachusetts cranberry farmers for renovating bogs and enhancing production practices to improve sustainability and efficiency.

The GrowBoston grant program offers a total of $15,000 to nonprofit organizations to support outreach and community-building events related to urban agriculture. The primary goal of this grant is to engage Boston residents more deeply in existing urban agricultural resources and broader urban agriculture activities. These events must be open to the public and focus on activities such as gardening, farming, food forest stewardship, beekeeping, henkeeping, and the consumption of locally-produced food. This initiative aligns with a mission to foster community engagement and education around sustainable food practices within urban environments, directly contributing to local food production and awareness. The target beneficiaries are Boston residents, with a particular focus on engaging them in various aspects of urban food production. The impact goals include increasing public participation in urban agriculture, enhancing community connection to local food systems, and promoting a greater understanding of sustainable living practices. The program prioritizes events that are planned for spring or summer 2024 and are specifically focused on Boston-based food production or urban agriculture. Examples of eligible events include garden-opening events, farm or food forest "open houses," and farmers market opening days, as long as they highlight urban agriculture. The expected outcomes of this grant program are a more engaged and informed Boston populace regarding urban agriculture. Measurable results could include the number of events hosted, the total attendance at these events, and the diversity of urban agriculture topics covered. While educational components are not mandatory, their inclusion would further support the program's objectives. The overarching strategic priority is to strengthen Boston's urban food ecosystem by encouraging community participation and utilizing existing resources effectively. The theory of change behind this grant program is that by funding accessible, public events focused on urban agriculture, GrowBoston can increase residents' engagement and knowledge, leading to a more robust and sustainable local food system. By supporting community-building initiatives, the program aims to cultivate a sense of collective responsibility and participation in urban food production. Allowable uses of funding include event supplies, food, non-alcoholic beverages, entertainment, and outreach materials, with up to 10% for indirect/administrative costs. This ensures that the grants directly facilitate event execution and community outreach, reinforcing the program's core objectives.

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 Public Art Learning Fund, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), is designed to fortify the public art landscape across New England by offering professional development opportunities directly to artists. NEFA's overarching mission, as reflected in this grant, is to cultivate more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout the region. This initiative aligns with NEFA's strategic goal of fostering a sustainable and equitable public art ecosystem by investing in the skills, resources, and connections of artists working in the public realm. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are artists residing full-time in one of the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) who are actively engaged in public artmaking or are in the process of expanding their practice into this domain. The fund aims to empower these artists, contributing to more just and inclusive public art. Expected outcomes include artists developing enhanced skills and resources, leading to the creation of more vibrant public spaces and a stronger regional community of practice. The Public Art Learning Fund prioritizes opportunities that specifically expand an artist's public art practice and contribute equitably to more just and inclusive public artmaking. NEFA seeks clarity on desired learnings and their application to the artist's practice. The fund welcomes artists at various stages of their public artmaking careers from urban, suburban, and rural communities, recognizing that diverse cultural and artistic expressions are crucial for equitable and vibrant public spaces. A key focus of this grant is equity. NEFA acknowledges that various barriers, including race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography, can limit access to professional development. Therefore, the Public Art Learning Fund actively prioritizes equity in its funding decisions. This may include, but is not limited to, prioritizing artists who self-identify as Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and/or those who are rooted in rural communities, aligning with NEFA's theory of change that targeted support can address systemic inequities and build a more inclusive artistic landscape. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 and support opportunities taking place between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Eligible applicants must also have a Creative Ground profile, and the proposed professional development must directly relate to strengthening their public art practice and occur within the grant period. These measurable results, such as the number of artists served and the nature of their professional development, contribute to NEFA's broader strategic aim of fostering a more equitable and sustainable public art ecosystem in New England.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to the Town of Ashby for essential services related to land acquisition and conservation efforts within the Nashua Wild & Scenic Rivers and Forests project area.

This grant provides Massachusetts municipalities with resources and training to establish or enhance safe drop-off locations for lithium-ion battery collection, promoting proper disposal and waste management for residents.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, governments, and educational institutions in the Northeast to restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands that benefit diverse fish and wildlife populations.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC) Commonwealth Hydro Program aims to increase energy production and reduce environmental impacts from hydropower facilities eligible for the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (MA RPS). The program provides funding for various projects, including construction, new technology deployment, relicensing, and feasibility studies for eligible hydropower generation facilities. The overarching mission of MassCEC, as implied by this program, is to advance clean energy technologies and promote sustainable energy practices within Massachusetts by leveraging existing hydropower infrastructure and encouraging innovation in the sector. The program targets a range of beneficiaries, including commercial, industrial, institutional, non-profit, or public entities that demonstrate long-term site control over project locations and water rights. The impact goals are centered on increasing the efficiency and capacity of hydropower facilities while simultaneously reducing their environmental footprint. This includes improving fish and eel passage, mitigating fish passage injury and mortality, and enhancing downstream water quality by increasing dissolved oxygen levels. Key priorities and focuses for funding include upgrades to existing hydropower facilities (e.g., turbine replacement, automated controls, improved fish passage), projects undergoing FERC relicensing to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, the development of new hydropower facilities eligible for FERC conduit exemptions, and the deployment of advanced hydropower technologies such as fish-friendly hydropower and in-stream hydrokinetic power. Feasibility studies for these types of projects are also supported. Expected outcomes include a significant increase in renewable energy generation from hydropower facilities within Massachusetts, improved ecological health of waterways adjacent to these facilities, and the widespread adoption of more environmentally sound hydropower technologies. Measurable results would include the amount of additional energy generated, the number of successful upgrades and new facility deployments, and quantifiable improvements in environmental indicators like fish passage rates and water quality. While a specific "theory of change" or "strategic priorities" for MassCEC beyond the program's objectives are not explicitly detailed, the program's design clearly aligns with a strategy of investing in both the modernization of existing renewable energy infrastructure and the development of innovative solutions to address environmental concerns associated with hydropower. This approach suggests a belief that targeted financial support can accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy grid while ensuring ecological sustainability. The grant offers between $100,000 to $500,000, with a maximum cap of $300,000 or 50% of actual costs, demonstrating MassCEC's commitment to substantial investment in impactful projects. Eligibility criteria ensure that funded projects contribute to the state's renewable energy goals, maintain FERC compliance, and have a useful life of at least twenty years.

The Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP) is a reimbursement grant program aimed at supporting produce and aquaculture operations to enhance their food safety practices. The program's primary goal is to minimize microbial contamination and food-borne illnesses risks, thereby expanding market access for the operations. To be eligible, applicants must be produce or aquaculture operations as defined, own or lease the property for the project, be legally recognized within the Commonwealth, and have been managed as a commercial enterprise for at least three years prior to application. Applications are due by May 24, 2024, at 4:00 PM. The grant encompasses a comprehensive review process, including a Request for Response (RFR) outlining grant criteria, timelines, and expectations. Award decisions will be based on these criteria, and successful applicants will enter into a grant agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), with reimbursements made upon project completion and submission of required documentation.

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 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