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Community Compact Information Technology Grant Program FAQ

Answers to your frequently asked questions about the Community Compact IT grant program.

Table of Contents

What is the Community Compact IT Grant program?

The Community Compact IT Grant Program is a competitive grant program to drive innovation at the local level via investments in technology.

Grants will support the implementation of innovative and transformative IT projects by funding one-time capital needs such as technology infrastructure and/or purchases of equipment or software. See below for eligibility specifics.

What is the deadline to apply for the Community Compact IT Grant Program?

Applications from eligible municipalities will be accepted from September 11, 2023 until October 13, 2023 at noon. Projects awarded grants must be completed within 18 months of the grant award.

What if my Community Compact already includes an IT best practice with tech assistance or a grant?

You are still eligible to apply for this Information Technology grant program.

What kind of IT projects are eligible?

Grants will support the implementation of innovative and transformative IT projects by funding one-time capital needs such as technology infrastructure and/or purchases of equipment or software. Incidental costs related to the capital purchase such as one-time planning, design, installation, implementation and initial training are eligible. In order to maximize the impact of this grant program across the Commonwealth, we kindly request that each grant application be limited to one project. We realize that technology initiatives can be multi-faceted and require multiple components to be successful, but if possible please limit requests to one project (or one component of one project) that would have the most significant impact on your community and be the most sustainable in the long term.

What kind of IT costs are NOT eligible?

On-going maintenance, operational costs or support are NOT eligible. Feasibility studies are NOT eligible. See below regarding eligibility of Software-as-a-Service/Cloud Service.

Is Software-as-a-Service eligible?

Software-as-a-Service costs such as subscription costs, cloud hosting costs, on-going maintenance, operational costs or support are eligible.

IT start-up costs related to Software-as-a-Service, such as design, consulting, planning, and implementation on the municipality’s end MAY be eligible.

What size grants will be awarded?

This is a competitive grant program. Grant requests of any size up to $200,000 will be considered.  A local match is not required.  Applications will be evaluated based in large part on the impact of the proposed project on the community.  For example, a small community’s low-dollar funding request may support a project that would have a big impact on that community.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the amount needed for their program and at a level of support that can be successfully implemented by the project completion deadline. 

Can communities have a joint application to the Community Compact IT Grant Program?

Yes, multi-community applications are encouraged. Two or more communities can apply to undertake an IT project together. The participating communities should complete a joint application. The application should be submitted by the community that will be the project lead.

How do I access the application?

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) in August 2023.

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