The program seeks to make capital grants to non-profit organizations to develop eligible facilities for social enterprises that target individuals facing significant barriers to employment.
Program Information
The Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program is administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) to support various costs related to the development of eligible facilities, specifically the purchase and/or renovation of a property owned by the nonprofit and utilized for the social enterprise. Purchase and installation of industrial equipment over $5,000 may be requested as part of a renovation or repair project.
The program will make capital grants, on a competitive basis, to projects that meet the eligibility and specific requirements of the program. Specifically, this grant is designed to support employment social enterprises that sell goods and services while providing supportive services for individuals who face significant barriers to employment.
For the purposes of this program, an employment social enterprise is defined as a discrete or embedded business venture operated by a mission-driven nonprofit organization with programming focused on hiring and assisting people who face barriers to employment. The organization must offer paid employment opportunities to low-income individuals, with priority to socially and economically disadvantaged populations who experience complex needs and barriers to employment that require intensive interventions.
The budget line item calls for grants to be awarded in a manner that promotes geographic, social, racial, and economic equity. The state’s economic development plan, Partnerships for Growth, highlights Equitable Opportunity as a guiding principle – noting that opportunity and growth to people and places that have not fully benefitted from the state’s overall prosperity, will have significant positive effects on families and communities. In addition, the Governor’s Black and Latino Advisory Commissions both published reports outlining strategies that emphasized workforce advancement as critical to advancing equity and increasing economic outcome in communities that have historically been disadvantaged.
For reference and access to the Commissions’ reports:
How to Apply / Key Dates
Application Deadline: Thursday, April 6, 2023 @ 5:00 PM.
Social Enterprise FY2024 RFP (PDF)
Social Enterprise FY2024 Budget Form (EXCEL) - To be completed and uploaded with application
Informational Webinar
To learn more about how to apply for this opportunity, watch a recording of our informational webinar held on March 21, 2023.