Apply for the Efficiency & Regionalization grant

The application period will open on January 8, 2024 and close February 9, 2024 at Noon.

In order to fill out the application, you will need the link that was included in FY24 Community Compact Cabinet kickoff letter from Lt. Governor Driscoll emailed to your community’s Chief Municipal Executive (Mayor or City Manager in a City, Selectboard Chair or Town Manager/Administrator in a Town).

If you have questions not answered above or your organization’s Chief Executive needs assistance, please contact the DLS by sending an email to Sean Cronin at croninse@dor.state.ma.us. 

Please review the application instructions below. You will be asked to enter your passcode to fill out the application. You can only apply for ONE E&R Program per community.

Step 1 – Eligible entity: Identify as a city, town, regional school district, school district considering forming a regional school district or regionalizing services, regional planning agency, or council of government.

Step 2 – Name of Entity

Step 3 – Contact Information: Include the contact’s name, title, phone number, and email. This should be the person who can be reached if there are questions about your grant application.

Step 4 – Grant Contract Signatory: Identify the person who would sign a grant contract if grant awarded.

Step 5 – Multi-jurisdictional application: Please check this box if this application is for a project with two or more eligible entities seeking to undertake a regionalization/shared services or other efficiency project together. You will then enter the names of the other participating entities. The participating communities should submit one joint application. The application should be submitted by the entity that will be the project lead.

Step 6 – Grant Amount Requested: Please enter an amount. Grant requests from a single government entity of up to $100,000 will be considered. Grant requests from multi-jurisdictional applications of up to $200,000 will be considered.

Step 7 – Purpose: Describe the proposed project, including purpose of the grant request, project objectives and the challenge(s) this project would address.

Step 8 – Benefits: Identify project benefits including efficiencies, cost savings, enhanced service delivery, and/or improved public access to local government services.

Step 9 – Cost Impact and Sustainability Plan: Identify any new costs that will be incurred and how the costs will be paid for or offset, including ongoing operational costs. If an applicant seeks to initiate a new program with an Efficiency and Regionalization Program grant, the applicant should be able to show how the new program will be self-sustaining within one year. Grant funds cannot be used to sustain a new program’s operations beyond year one.

Step 10 – Measures of Success: What defines success for this project? Describe how the success of the project will be evaluated. Include expected measurable improvements in service delivery or efficiency.

Step 11 – Project Budget: Provide a detailed and realistic project budget estimate. Include breakdown of amount requested by activity/task.

Step 12 – Project Timeline: Provide a timeline for the proposed project. Note projects must be completed within 18 months of the award date.

Step 13 – Submission: Once you have completed the application, please click the submit button. You will not be able to save or review your application once you hit submit. You will receive notice via email confirming your application.