Community Grant Finder

The purpose of the Expression of Interest is to understand a community's larger objectives and goals as they relate to Community Development.

A single application portal and collaborative review process of grant programs that make targeted investments based on a Development Continuum.

The Community Compact is a voluntary, mutual agreement entered into between the Administration and individual cities and towns of the Commonwealth.

This competitive grant program focuses on driving innovation and transformation at the local level via investments in technology.

The Efficiency & Regionalization grant program provides financial support for entities interested in implementing regionalization and other efficiency initiatives.

A single application portal and collaborative review process of grant programs that make targeted investments based on a Development Continuum.

Grant funds are awarded to post-demolition redevelopment projects in which affordable housing is the primary end-use.

Provide assistance to communities that suffer from the negative health and economic impacts of severely blighted residential properties.

The Remediation Loan Program offers flexible loans up to $500,000 for environmental clean-up of brownfields.

The Site Assessment Program provides unsecured, interest free financing up to $100,000 for environmental assessment of brownfields.

Business Improvement Districts (BID) are special assessment districts in which property owners vote to initiate, manage and finance supplemental services or enhancements above and beyond the baseline of services already provided by their local city.

The goal of the Collaborative Workspace Program is to accelerate the pace of new business formation, job creation, and entrepreneurial activity in communities, by supporting infrastructure that fuels community-based innovation.

A collaborative initiative from MassDevelopment and the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity, Commonwealth Places provides a funding mechanism to advance community-driven placemaking projects in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts throughout Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant Program is a federally funded, competitive grant program designed to help small cities and towns meet a broad range of community development needs.

The CPA helps communities preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing, and develop outdoor recreational facilities.

EOHLC's Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI) offers a range of services and assistance to communities seeking help on how to revitalize their downtowns.

The Housing Choice Initiative rewards municipalities that have produced certain rates or amounts of new housing units in the last five years and that adopted best practices related to housing production that will sustain a 21st century workforce and increase access to opportunity for Massachusetts residents.

The Last Mile Infrastructure Grant program provides funding for eligible towns for municipally-owned broadband networks.

Part of the Community One Stop for Growth program

Seaport Economic Council grants help the economic growth of coastal communities.

Urban Agenda is focused on promoting economic vitality and cultivating safer, stronger urban neighborhoods across the state.

Expenditures will promote strategies to address food insecurity and to increase access of fresh, local produce in urban neighborhoods with a high concentration of low-moderate income residents.

EOHLC’s Division of Community Services administers the urban renewal program, including assisting municipalities which are establishing urban renewal agencies, and providing technical assistance to prepare and implement Urban Renewal Plans. Not really a direct funding source, but may help obtain funds.

Big Yellow School Bus provides $200 grants to help schools meet the transportation costs of educational field trips to non-profit cultural institutions and activities in the arts, sciences, and humanities across Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) is an initiative of the Commonwealth to increase public and private investment in cultural facilities throughout the state.

The Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences annually.

Big Yellow School Bus provides $200 grants to help schools meet the transportation costs of educational field trips to non-profit cultural institutions and activities in the arts, sciences, and humanities across Massachusetts.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's central website for their many grants to support a wide variety of education activities.

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) provides grants and other funding opportunities to support program development and quality.

Funding for school districts and charter schools to competitively solicit one-time grant funding to assist public schools and local municipalities with enhancing school security and the safety of students and staff.

This program is intended to increase the academic achievement of students in mathematics and science by enhancing the standards knowledge and teaching skills of educators.

Uses the Massachusetts Preschool Expansion Grant public-private partnership model to expand high-quality pre-kindergarten or preschool opportunities on a voluntary basis for children who will be eligible for kindergarten by September 2020.

This grant is designed to ensure preschool children demonstrate school readiness and positive outcomes through UPK programs utilizing and incorporating developmentally appropriate curricula and supports. Serves and integrate children of diverse abilities and special needs, diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

The purpose of this competitive grant is to provide a program in public schools from grades 5 through 12 that will promote healthy relationships and address teen dating violence.

The purpose of the state-funded Early Grades Literacy grant program is to support alignment of curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional development, and literacy planning

The purpose of this competitive grant program is to provide districts with funding and support to explore structures that promote greater school-level autonomy and empower educators. The planning grant will provide assistance for local stakeholders to participate in an exploration process to determine how their school

To enable the state's Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) to sustain the state's Connecting Activities (CA) initiative, by serving as the intermediaries that broker connections among and between public school districts in their regions and employers and community-based organizations.

The Skills Capital Grant Program is to incentive and enhance the development of workforce training for in-demand industries at high schools, community colleges, and other vocational training providers across the Commonwealth.

The goal of this state funded competitive grant program is to provide funding to districts to organize, integrate, and sustain school and district-wide efforts to create safe and supportive school environments and coordinate and align student support initiatives based on their findings from

The goal of the FMA program is to implement cost-effective measures that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to buildings, manufactured homes, and other structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The HMGP provides funds to States, territories, Indian Tribal governments and communities after a disaster to significantly reduce or permanently eliminate future risk to lives and property from natural hazards.

EOPSS, as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has primary responsibility for the development and implementation of homeland security policies and for the management of homeland security grant funds.

On behalf of EOPSS, the Office of Grants and Research organizes and distributes homeland security funding for Massachusetts, helping communities prepare for, and respond to, terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

The BRIC Grant Program provides funds to States, territories, Indian Tribal governments and communities for hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation projects prior to a disaster event.

The DOER provides grant funding for a breadth of clean energy-related programs that relate to areas such as energy efficient buildings, combined heat and power, drinking and waste water treatment, energy education, energy use at municipal and state facilities, renewable solar and thermal energy, and transportation.

EEA's Office of Grants and Technical Assistance helps provide guidance to those seeking state funding assistance find the programs which are best for them!

The Green Communities Division empowers the Commonwealth's cities and towns to reduce their energy use and their carbon footprint on the journey towards healthier communities and stronger economies.

The Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) helps eligible public entities acquire electric vehicles and install charging stations for their fleets.

Eversource Energy is offering matching grants to municipalities within their service territory.

Grants are offered to specific municipalities in which National Grid has completed their ACT Reliability Improvement Program.

The Division of Ecological Restoration selects wetland, river and flow restoration projects through a state-wide, competitive process. We choose high-priority projects that bring significant ecological and community benefits to the Commonwealth.

For new or upgraded boater facilities.

These grants assist watershed municipalities in the protection of open space, rare and endangered species habitat, freshwater and saltwater wetlands, restore tidally restricted salt marshes, purchase oil spill containment equipment, restore fish runs, and remediate stormwater discharges threatening water quality.

Find a pumpout location near you or apply for CVA funds to provide free pumpout service to recreational boaters. If you already receive funds, you can find reimbursement forms here.

A social impact fund investing $100 million in business and municipal efforts to increase the recycling of products and packaging.

Provides funding to municipalities located within the Massachusetts coastal watershed for for planning / design and remediation including construction and implementation to reduce storm water pollution from paved surfaces, or for commercial boat waste pump out facilities.

Provide financial and technical support to increase awareness and understanding of climate impacts, identify and map vulnerabilities, conduct adaptation planning, redesign vulnerable public facilities and infrastructure, and implement non-structural (or green infrastructure) approaches that enhance natural resources.

The Community Forest Program is a US Forest Service competitive grant program whereby local governments, qualified nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes are eligible to apply for grant funding to establish community forests.

These grants aid communities in putting forest stewardship into practice and to help connect the local citizens to their forest and the benefits these forests provide—including a local source of wood products, clean water, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat.

Details and how to apply for grants to replace undersized, perched, and/or degraded culvert located in an area of high ecological value

Provides grants and loans for the repair or removal of dams, seawalls, and levees.

The Office of Municipal Partnerships was created to help municipal officials better understand MassDEP’s programs and to make agency resources more easily accessible to local governments.

The DWSP grant program provides Provides grants to assist public water systems and municipalities in acquiring land to protect the quality of public drinking water supplies.

EEA's Office of Grants and Technical Assistance helps provide guidance to those seeking state funding assistance find the programs which are best for them!

Assists regional planning agencies and other eligible recipients in providing water quality assessment and planning assistance to local communities.

This grant program provides reimbursement funding for appraisals completed in order to apply to the LAND grant program.

The Governor's Seaport Advisory Council (SAC) approves grant projects pursuant to Chapter 28 of the Acts and Resolves of 1996, the Seaport Bond Bill, for the "revitalization and development of the Commonwealth's seaports.

The Landscape Partnership Program seeks to preserve large, unfragmented, high-value conservation landscapes including working forests and farms, expand state-municipal-private partnerships, increase leveraging of state dollars, enhance stewardship of conservation land, and provide public recreation opportunities.

These grants are used to implement land use regulations that are consistent with land conservation and development objectives.

The LAND Program (formerly the Self-Help Program) was established in 1961 to assist municipal conservation commissions in acquiring land for natural resource protection and passive outdoor recreation purposes.

This grant finances recreational fishing improvement programs.

Grants for applied planning and research projects that protect coastal habitat, reduce stormwater pollution, protect shellfish resources, manage local land use and growth, manage municipal wastewater, manage marine invasive species, monitor marine and estuary waters and adapt to the projected impacts of climate change.

This program provides grants of up to $5,000 to municipalities, regional authorities, and eligible organizations for short-term waste reduction projects.

The Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund provides up to 50% of the total project cost for the acquisition, development, and renovation of: Parks, Trails and Conservation areas

Grants are awarded for a variety of trail protection, construction, and stewardship projects throughout Massachusetts.

Provides assistance to private and municipal owners of protected lands to support active habitat enhancement while promoting public access for hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation.

The Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant program (MVP) provides support for cities and towns in Massachusetts to begin the process of planning for climate change resiliency and implementing priority projects.

MassDEP awards grants to public and non-public entities to fund restoration projects. This funding does not follow a set schedule. Grant opportunities are announced as settlement funds become available.

The OHV Technical Assistance Program provides funding for a vendor to assist interested parties in forming a sustainable Massachusetts-based OHV riding club. The grant will fund consultation regarding finances, budgeting, legal requirements, paperwork for incorporation and paperwork for 501(C) status.

This grant program helps connect people in urban areas to outdoor spaces, such as parks and playgrounds. It funds projects in areas that don’t have many recreational resources.

The PARC Program (formerly the Urban Self-Help Program) was established in 1977 to assist cities and towns in acquiring and developing land for park and outdoor recreation purposes.

This grant program is authorized under Section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act for implementation projects that address the prevention, control, and abatement of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution.

EPA is announcing a grant competition to fund two-year Source Reduction Assistance (SRA) agreements that support source reduction approaches (also known as pollution prevention (P2)). 

This program provides subsidized loans to assist municipalities and water and wastewater districts in the implementation of capital projects that protect, enhance or mitigate water quality and public health.

Enables groups of Massachusetts municipalities to expand their efforts to meet requirements for the 2016 Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permits, and to reduce stormwater pollution through coordinated partnerships that emphasize resource sharing. 

Supports local recycling, composting/organics, reuse, source reduction, program development, and enforcement activities that increase diversion and reduce disposal.

The Recycling Dividends Program (RDP) provides payments to qualifying municipalities that have implemented specific waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs and policies.

There are two types available: Municipal Assistance Coordinator (MAC) project assistance and Recycling IQ Kit assistance.

TURI invites proposals from community organizations, municipal departments and regional and state-wide organizations or collaborative groups that raise awareness and educate people about safer alternatives to toxic chemicals.

These are 50-50 matching grants offered to municipalities and non-profit groups in Massachusetts communities of all sizes for the purpose of building local capacity for excellent urban and community forestry at the local and regional level.

Grants are available for projects to help public water suppliers plan and manage water use in their communities. 

Searchable database of all grants offered by the federal government.

This Program implements local policy, practice, systems and environmental change to prevent the use/abuse of opioids, prevent/reduce fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses, and to increase both the number and capacity of municipalities across the Commonwealth addressing these issues. 

This new grant program supports the creation of new and the expansion of existing public health shared services arrangements across municipalities. The shared services arrangements are intended to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of local boards of health

Funding to local health departments is provided from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management (OPEM) annually to one of six regional Health and Medical Coordinating Coalitions (HMCC). The HMCC works with the local health departments to establish annual plans for the

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Bureau of Community Health and Prevention funds municipalities or regional planning agencies or regional councils of government representing municipalities to lower the risk of chronic disease by addressing the community conditions that support healthy living.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Community Health and Prevention’s Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention program (MTCP) funds local boards of health to implement municipal tobacco and public health programming.

DPH funds local public school districts, regional school districts, or local boards of health that provide school health services to provide additional support to the existing required baseline of school health services.

The Department of Public Health provides community funding on a variety of issues that are open to municipalities as well as non-profit and healthcare organizations.The Office of Local and Regional Health provides updates on opportunities to municipalities.

The CPA helps communities preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing, and develop outdoor recreational facilities.

The Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey and Planning Grant Program is a federally funded, reimbursable, 50/50 matching grant program to support historic preservation planning activities in communities throughout the state.

The Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund (MPPF) is a state-funded 50% reimbursable matching grant program established in 1984 to support the preservation of properties, landscapes, and sites (cultural resources) listed in the State Register of Historic Places.

EOHLC’s Division of Community Services administers the urban renewal program, including assisting municipalities which are establishing urban renewal agencies, and providing technical assistance to prepare and implement Urban Renewal Plans. Not really a direct funding source, but may help obtain funds.

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund has been structured to ensure that many different types of organizations are eligible to receive financing.

The Capital Improvement and Preservation Fund is a state bond funded program that seeks to preserve and improve existing privately owned, state or federally assisted affordable rental developments.

Business Improvement Districts (BID) are special assessment districts in which property owners vote to initiate, manage and finance supplemental services or enhancements above and beyond the baseline of services already provided by their local city.

For-profit and non-profit developers and local housing authorities are eligible to apply for CIPF funds.

Encourages communities to create dense residential or mixed-use smart growth zoning districts, including a high percentage of affordable housing units, to be located near transit stations, in areas of concentrated development such as existing city and town centers, and in other highly suitable locations.

Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant Program is a federally funded, competitive grant program designed to help small cities and towns meet a broad range of community development needs.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated to Massachusetts, $7.21 million from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-2) for distribution through the Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.  

EOHLC offers additional incentives to municipalities that adopt zoning districts promoting the Commonwealth’s strong interest in smart growth and housing for working families of all incomes.

The Housing Development Division of the Department of Housing and Community Development provides funding to developers, non-profit organizations and communities to assist first time homebuyers.

The Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP), established as M.G.L., Chapter 40V, provides Gateway Cities with a development tool to increase residential growth, expand diversity of housing stock, support economic development, and promote neighborhood stabilization in designated geographic target areas.

The HOME Program is a federally funded program that provides funding to non-profit or for-profit developers for affordable rental housing production and rehabilitation.

The Housing Choice Initiative rewards municipalities that have produced certain rates or amounts of new housing units in the last five years and that adopted best practices related to housing production that will sustain a 21st century workforce and increase access to opportunity for Massachusetts residents.

HDIP provides Gateway Cities with a tool to develop market rate housing while increasing residential growth, expanding diversity of housing stock, supporting economic development, and promoting neighborhood stabilization in designated areas.

The Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF) is a state funded bond program that assists in the production and preservation of affordable housing for low and moderate-income families and individuals.

The Infrastructure Investment Incentive Program (“I-Cubed”) is an innovative public-private partnership created to spur economic development and job growth in the Commonwealth through support for large-scale private real estate development projects.

Local Initiative Program (LIP) is a state program that encourages the creation of affordable housing by providing technical assistance to communities and developers who are working together to create affordable rental opportunities for low- and moderate-income households.

To assist in the production and preservation of affordable rental housing for low-income families and individuals

MassHousing's Planning for Housing Production Program builds on local affordable housing planning, by providing cities and towns with additional technical capacity to implement their own housing production goals, and deliver new mixed-income housing.

This program authorizes cities and towns to promote housing and commercial development, including affordable housing, in commercial centers through tax increment financing.

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners assists communities in developing their public libraries through the renovation and expansion of existing buildings or the construction of new facilities.

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners offers an array of grant programs plus additional possibilities from years past. If a grant idea isn't covered in the program offerings, there is an Innovative "Open" program that lets you tell us about your program idea.

Encourages municipalities to support and improve public library service; encourages reciprocal resource sharing among libraries; compensates for disparities among municipal funding capacities; and offsets costs to municipalities whose libraries circulate materials to patrons from other certified municipalities.

FTFMPs add a more formal mediation process to the continuum of consumer assistance services, handling a range of consumer issues. 

Planning Grant: These grants are for updating or creating a Self-Evaluation and/or Transition Plan required under the ADA. Project Grant: These grants are for removal of architectural or communication barriers that are present. Design plans or Applicant salaries are not eligible.

Provides Massachusetts police officers with the best lifesaving equipment available, assists local police departments, the Massachusetts State Police, Sheriff's Departments, and state agencies, authorities, and educational institutions with law enforcement functions in providing bulletproof vests to their officers.

This is a reimbursement-based grant program with a goal to assist local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) programs in preparing for all-hazards in support of local first responder efforts.

The purpose of the Development Grant is to support the development and startup of public safety answering points (PSAPs) or regional emergency communication centers (RECCs) to maximize effective 9-1-1 services.

Pending the availability of funds, MEMA - through an annual sub-grant application process - makes EMPG funding available to all communities and Tribes in the Commonwealth through their local emergency management department.

The Office of Grants and Research oversees the distribution and administration of grants, and conducts research, related to criminal justice, anti-drug and violence prevention education, law enforcement and traffic safety.

The Office of Grants and Research allows interested organizations to submit a General Traffic Safety Grant Funding Application to apply for funding of a potential traffic safety-related project they have designed or developed.

This is a reimbursement-based grant program with a goal to assist local and regional Emergency Planning Committees (EPC) in preparing for hazardous materials transportation hazards and to obtain the resources needed to support the U.S. EPA's Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).

EOPSS, as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has primary responsibility for the development and implementation of homeland security policies and for the management of homeland security grant funds.

CNSGP grants improve the physical security of nonprofit organizations that are at high-risk of a terrorist attack outside the UASI sites.

The Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program provides critical funding to support a wide range of criminal justice program areas.

This program supports up to two programs to address Alternatives to Detention for juvenile offenders.

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), Office of Grants and Research (OGR) is pleased to announce the availability of up to $375,000 in federal funding for grants to improve traffic safety information systems.

The intent of this grant program is to assist eligible municipalities to maintain public safety and emergency response services by helping to address police and/or fire department staffing shortfalls.

Improves pedestrian and bicyclist safety via overtime enforcement of traffic laws applicable to pedestrians and bicyclists, educational materials, and safety items for public distribution.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) represents a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the U.S.

After a disaster event that causes significant damage, MEMA works with FEMA, local, and state agencies to begin the Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program process.

The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) program helps enhance the capability of state and local units of government to provide residential substance abuse treatment for incarcerated inmates and prepares offenders for their reintegration into society.

Funding for school districts and charter schools to competitively solicit one-time grant funding to assist public schools and local municipalities with enhancing school security and the safety of students and staff.

Senior SAFE is a grant program that supports fire and life safety education for seniors. Seniors have a high risk of dying in a fire.

This is a program to stimulate regional and multi-disciplinary approaches to combat gang violence through coordinated programs for prevention and intervention.

The Support and Incentive Grant is designed to assist public safety answering points (PSAPs) and regional emergency communication centers (RECC) in providing enhanced 9-1-1 service.

The Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) program provides grants to local fire departments to teach fire and life safety to children in schools.

Traffic Enforcement Grant Program is for eligible municipal police departments within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for high-visibility enforcement mobilization.

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research, Highway Safety Division (EOPSS/OGR/HSD) announces the availability of federal grant funding for eligible municipal police departments for high-visibility traffic enforcement and traffic safety equipment. 

Through this program, governmental entities hosting primary public safety answering points (PSAPs) or regional emergency communication centers (RECCs) are eligible to receive reimbursement for training-related costs associated with the 9-1-1 system.

The intent of the VAWA STOP Grant program is to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies and victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women.

These grants are available to non-profit rural call or volunteer fire departments that primarily serve a community or city with a population of less than 10,000.

Fire departments can apply for funding for NFPA-compliant washer-extractors to clean personal protective equipment (PPE).

Funding for law enforcement to establish and implement body-worn camera (BWC) programs.

Big Yellow School Bus provides $200 grants to help schools meet the transportation costs of educational field trips to non-profit cultural institutions and activities in the arts, sciences, and humanities across Massachusetts.

Chapter 90 entitles cities and towns to receive reimbursements on approved projects. It is a 100% reimbursable program.

Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Shared Streets and Spaces quick-launch/quick-build grant program will provide grants as small as $5,000 and as large as $300,000 for cities and towns to quickly implement or expand improvements to sidewalks, curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces and off-street parking

The Community Transit Grant Program awards funds to help meet the transportation and mobility needs of seniors and people with disabilities.

A Complete Street is one that provides safe and accessible options for all travel modes - walking, biking, transit and vehicles – for people of all ages and abilities.

The MassWorks Infrastructure Program provides a one-stop shop for municipalities and other eligible public entities seeking public infrastructure funding to support economic development and job creation.

This Program provides financial support to cities and towns for small bridge replacement, preservation and rehabilitation projects.

This Program provides safe places for children to walk and bike, starting with their trip to school.

The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is a Federally mandated prioritized listing of highway, bridge, intermodal and transit projects expected to be undertaken during the next four federal fiscal years.

Looking for funding for a community transportation service or coordination effort? Check out these federal, state, foundation, and other funding opportunities.