Grant & Funding Opportunities

Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program (rolling): The Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program seeks to improve cybersecurity through end-user training, evaluation, and simulated phishing campaigns. Through four Learning Paths, local government agencies must choose one or more: Traditional, Advanced, Comprehensive, and Education. Cybersecurity awareness training will ensure employees know the latest techniques cyber criminals use, how to identify phishing scams, and their role in keeping their organizations safe from cyber-attacks. For more information contact CyberAwarenessGrant@mass.gov. 

Cybersecurity Health Check Program (rolling): The Cybersecurity Health Check Program supports local government agencies in providing basic cybersecurity services at no cost. The program will aid in identifying security gaps and their ability to safeguard data and systems from cyber threats. For more information contact CyberHealthCheck@mass.gov.  

Mass Broadband Institute’s Residential Retrofit Program (Rolling): The Residential Retrofit Program intends to increase low-income residents’ access to high-quality and affordable broadband access through the replacement of deficient infrastructure with updated wiring and cabling in Public & Affordable Housing properties. Housing operators should submit an expression of interest through MBI’s online form. MBI is coordinating this program with their existing Apartment WiFi program being run through the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Your property may be eligible for both programs. Applications with multiple properties will be looked upon favorably, however, smaller-scale projects are also eligible. Contact Kerrie Salwa at ksalwa@cmrpc.org.

Greening the Gateways Program (rolling): Greening the Gateways Program provides funding to increase tree cover in urban residential areas. This will contribute to the reduction of household heating and cooling energy use by increasing tree cover in urban residential areas. For more information contact Hilary Dimino at hilary.m.dimino@mass.gov  

MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund (rolling): The MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund is available for municipalities that have received a district compliance determination letter from EOHLC. The funds will support activities related to housing development, infrastructure projects associated with housing, and acquisitions of property to promote housing. For information contact Email MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund at EOHLCMBTACommCatalyst@mass.gov 

Housing Stability Inclusion and Leadership Mini-Grants (rolling): The Housing Stability Inclusion and Leadership Mini Grants aim to support resident-centered initiatives that boost inclusivity and build capacity for resident leadership across the Mass Housing portfolio. Recognizing that communities may be at various stages in resident engagement, these grants intend to be a tool to support a plethora of resident-centered practices and leadership models. For more information contact housingstabilitygrants@masshousing.com. 

Brownfields Redevelopment Fund (rolling): The Brownfield Redevelopment Fund finances the assessment and remediation of brownfield sites. The redevelopment project must be located in an Economically Distressed Area, provide public benefits, and require financial assistance from the funds to be viable. For more information visit MassDevelopment.  

Municipal Decarbonization Roadmap Planning Assistance (rolling): This opportunity provides technical assistance to develop municipal decarbonization roadmaps to help achieve Climate Leader Community certification through the following tasks: option 1) A desktop analysis and roadmap development, and option 2) Facility condition assessment plush roadmap development. For more information contact Joanne Bissetta at Joanne.Bissetta@mass.gov. 

Housing Opportunity on Public Land Program (rolling): The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) Housing Opportunity on Public Land Program is a partnership between MHP and municipalities or local housing agencies to support the development of new affordable housing on publicly owned land or surplus buildings. Any municipality in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with buildings or lands is eligible to apply for this assistance and loan program. For more information, contact Carsten Snow-Eikelberg at csnoweikelberg@mhp.net. 

InnovateMass Program (rolling): Through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, the InnovateMass Program provides grant funding to startups and innovators to demonstrate new clean energy and climate technologies, or innovative combinations of existing technologies that demonstrate a strong potential for commercialization while providing significant, measurable clean energy and/or climate benefits. This grant round supports a “Gridtech Spotlight” opportunity for innovators to partner with a Massachusetts electricity utility on grid technology. For more information, email innovate@masscec.com. 

Massachusetts DER Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance (CRMA) Grant Program (anticipated Spring 2025): The DER’s CRMA Grant Program funds projects to replace or remove an undersized, perched, and/or degraded culvert located in an area of high ecological value. It encourages applicants to replace aging culverts with better-designed crossings that meet improved structural and environmental design standards and flood resiliency criteria. It is a reimbursable grant; however, DER may not always be able to fund the full amount of a project. 

Municipal Fiber Grant Program (due April 10, 2025): The Municipal Fiber Grant Program will fund the closing of critical gaps that exist in municipal networks. Fiber allows communities to centralize the management of IT infrastructure, network monitoring, cybersecurity, records management, and backup and recovery. A cohesive network also creates opportunities to gain economies of scale by aggregating bandwidth purchases and the associated security infrastructure.  

Massachusetts Land Conservation Assistance Program (due April 11, 2025): The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) offers funding to address climate change, achieve the goals of the MA Clean Energy and Climate Plans, and improve green spaces and outdoor recreation opportunities. Specifically, funding awarded from this program may be used to update municipal Open Space and Recreation Plans (OSRPs), assist with grant applications related to land protection, and plan for the renovation or development of parks. Contact Danielle Marini at dmarini@cmrpc.org for more information.

Massachusetts TechHubs Program (due April 14, 2025): The Massachusetts TechHubs Program is a place-based economic development aimed at strengthening regional innovation ecosystems across the state. The program will award MA TechHub designations and grant support, to enhance their innovation capacity, and increase their visibility as an emerging, or established centers of technological progress. For more information visit Massachusetts TechHubs Program | Innovation. 

Waste Reduction Innovation Grant (anticipated April 15, 2025): The Waste Reduction Innovation Grant consists of two categories: start-up/pilot project and capital infrastructure investments. Through the start-up and pilot projects grant category, MassDEP is interested in supporting innovations that have demonstrated success outside of bench-scale laboratory environments and are ready to move from initial development to commercialization. MassDEP is also interested in supporting capital projects that will support significant infrastructure changes to enable the diversion of waste. For more information, contact Joann.E.Lai@mass.gov. 

MassDEP Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grant (anticipated April 15, 2025): This program awards for-profit and non-profit organizations, regional authorities, eligible municipalities, and educational institutions for short-term waste reduction projects. Eligible projects will promote the reduction of waste produced or extend the lifespan of products. The maximum award is $10,000. Contact Greer Jarvis for more information at gjarvis@cmrpc.org. 

Operating Grants for Organizations (due April 17, 2025): The Operating Grants for Organizations is an unrestricted grant for Massachusetts-based, nonprofit cultural organizations with year-round operations offering public programming in the arts, humanities, or sciences; grants start at $6,000. For more information contact Ethan Melad at emelad@cmrpc.org. 

Housing Choice Designation Application (due April 18, 2025): The Housing Choice Designation Application allows communities access to apply to the Housing Choice Grant Program and receive additional benefits from various programs offered by other state agencies in the Commonwealth. For more information contact McKenzie Bell at mckenzie.bell@mass.gov. 

Creative Experiences (due April 30, 2025): The Creative Experiences is open to organizations (including schools) to fund festivals, projects, residencies, and other cultural activities in the arts, humanities, and sciences. This program combines Festivals & Projects and Creative Projects for Schools into one program. For more information contact Ethan Melad at emelad@cmrpc.org. 

Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Program (opens May 1, 2025): The Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Program provides funding to Massachusetts towns and cities to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. Funding will aid in updating a municipality’s ADA Self Evaluation and Transition plans, as well as making capital improvements to increase access or remove barriers to municipal programs, services, and facilities. For more information contact Evan George at Evan.George@mass.gov 

DER Culvert Replacement Grant (due May 12, 2025): The Division of Ecological Restoration’s (DER) Culvert Replacement Grant is seeking to replace or remove undersized, perched, and/or degraded culverts located in areas with high ecological value in the Commonwealth. Culverts must meet improved structural and environmental design standards and climate resiliency criteria. Only projects that seek to meet the goals of the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards will be considered for funding. For more information contact DERCulverts@mass.gov. 

MassDEP Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program (opens May 14, 2025): The Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program is available to community and municipal groups to enhance public participation in assessment and cleanup activities at oil or hazardous material disposal sites. TAGs may also be used to obtain expert advice and technical assistance and promote community education for qualifying projects. For more information, contact Nancy Fitzpatrick at Nancy.Fitzpatrick@mass.gov or Margaret Shaw at Margaret.Shaw@mass.gov. 

MassDEP Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grants (anticipated April 15, due May 15, 2025): The MassDEP Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grants range from $3,00 to $10,000 for projects that reduce waste through donation, sharing, repair, reuse, and/or rescue. Businesses, schools, colleges, nonprofits, regional authorities, and municipalities are all eligible to apply. For more information, contact Leah Kelleher at leah.kelleher@mass.gov. 

Farmland Partnership Program (due May 19, 2025): The Farmland Partnership Program aims to build networks of partners who may work together collaboratively and in coordination to protect farmland, enhance farm viability, and ensure access to farmland. This will be achieved through providing funding to eligible partners to work in tandem with farmers, farmland owners, agricultural service providers, and municipalities. Important to note, this grant program focuses on providing funding to partners rather than individual farmers. A partner is an organization/entity that can support implementation tasks within the plan. For more information contact Katharine Otto at katharine.s.otto@mass.gov. 

Housing Choice Grant Program (due June 4, 2025): The Housing Choice Grant Program is exclusive to municipalities designated as a Housing Choice Community; to further their housing efforts to meet statewide, regional, and local housing needs. This grant opportunity awards funds based on projects focused on housing, infrastructure, transportation, economic development, and community development. For more information contact McKenzie Bell at mckenzie.bell@mass.gov. 

Community One Stop (due June 4, 2025): The Community One Stop for Growth grant supports public economic development investment in the Commonwealth. Community One Stop combines 12 of the Commonwealth’s most popular community-focused economic development and housing grant programs into a single application portal and collaborative review process. For more information visit Community One Stop for Growth Questions. 

The Climate Leader Communities Decarbonization Technical Support (Program) (due June 30, 2025): The Climate Leader Communities Decarbonization Technical Support is designed to aid certified Massachusetts Climate Leader Communities by offering funding for technical support and developing recommendations and engineering design documents. This will support the implementation of projects that align with the applicant’s Climate Leader Communities Decarbonization Roadmap. For more information, contact Paul Carey at paul.s.carey@mass.gov. 

LSPA Environmental Justice Grant Program (due July 1, 2025): The LSPA Environmental Justice Grant Program provides small grants to non-profit environmental advocacy groups, community-based groups, environmental education organizations, and/or volunteer efforts for local projects that support the environment in Massachusetts communities with Environmental Justice Populations. LSPA will distribute a total of $5,000 in 2025 to one or more grantees serving an EJ population in Massachusetts. For more information, contact EJGrant@lspa.org. 

Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity (LAND) (due July 8, 2025): Municipal conservation and agricultural commissions from communities with an up-to-date Open Space and Recreation Plans (OSRPs) can apply for a LAND grant to acquire interests in land that will be used for conservation and passive recreation purposes. Please contact Vanessa Farny (DCS) at Vanessa.Farny@mass.gov or Dani Marini-King (CMRPC) dmarini@cmrpc.org for more information.  

Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity (LAND) (due July 8, 2025): Municipal conservation and agricultural commissions from communities with an up-to-date Open Space and Recreation Plans (OSRPs) can apply for a LAND grant to acquire interests in land that will be used for conservation and passive recreation purposes. Please contact Vanessa Farny (DCS) at Vanessa.Farny@mass.gov or Dani Marini-King (CMRPC) dmarini@cmrpc.org for more information.  

Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office: This is a new resource that is currently offering federal funding opportunities to qualifying local and tribal governments. This recently introduced Federal Funding initiative presents as an invaluable resource for local leaders, aiding them to optimize federal funding prospects for the benefit of Massachusetts communities. 

Cyber Resilient Massachusetts Grant Program (rolling): The Cyber Resilient Massachusetts Grant Program allows municipalities to receive up to $25,000 to fund cybersecurity technology upgrades identified through a cybersecurity vulnerability assessment. Funds may be used to support upgrades in equipment, infrastructure, and technology improvement projects, including contractors/vendors or IT-related staff costs. For more information contact Maxwell Fathy at proposals@masstech.org 

Public Electric Vehicle Charging (rolling): The Electric Vehicle Charging Program provides resources to help determine the costs of proposed Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure, as well as identifying potential funding sources. For more information contact the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. 

Technical Assistance for Adoption of Building Energy Codes Assistance (rolling) The Technical Assistance for Adoption of Building Energy Codes Assistance grant will support states and local jurisdictions in adopting, implementing, and enforcing zero energy codes, or equivalent codes and standards, improve residential and commercial construction and retrofits, and transitioning the building stock to more efficient, decarbonized buildings. For more information contact IRACodes@hq.doe.gov 

 Lead Service Line Replacement Program (rolling): The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) are offering 0% percent interest construction loans to lead service line replacement and planning projects grants for assisting public water suppliers with completing planning projects for lead service line inventories and replacement programs. For more information contact MassWaterTrust@tre.state.ma.us  

Cyber Resilient Massachusetts Grant Program (rolling): The Cyber Resilient Massachusetts Grant Program allows eligible municipalities to be awarded up to $25,000 for cybersecurity technology upgrades. Grants will be determined through a cybersecurity vulnerability assessment to build a municipality’s defense against cybersecurity threats. For more information contact Maxwell Fathy at proposals@masstech.orgmailto:ATIIP@dot.gov 

Clean Bus Planning Awards (rolling): The Clean Bus Planning Awards program aids in reducing barriers to zero-emission bus deployment by aiding school and transit bus fleets with technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized fleet electrification transition plans. For more information contact CBPA@nrel.gov 

EDA Public Works Program (rolling): The EDA Public Works program provides funding to help communities build, design, or engineer critical infrastructure and facilities. Examples of projects include water and sewer system improvements and the creation or expansion of industrial parks. Projects must advance the EDA’s Investment priorities and be consistent with the region’s current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). They also must be in a geographic region subject to the EDA’s economic distress criteria. The typical EDA cost share rate for projects is 50 percent. Eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofit organizations. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Contact Kerrie Salwa at ksalwa@cmrpc.org for more information. 

EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) (rolling): The EDA’s EAA program provides investments that support a wide range of construction and non-construction activities. Examples of projects include the construction or upgrading of public infrastructure and the procurement of equipment for workforce training programs. Projects must advance the EDA’s Investment priorities and be consistent with the region’s current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). They also must be in a geographic region subject to the EDA’s economic distress criteria. The typical EDA cost share rate for projects is 50 percent. Eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofit organizations. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Contact Kerrie Salwa at ksalwa@cmrpc.org for more information. 

EDA Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs (rolling): The EDA’s Planning and Local Technical Assistance programs are designed to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment. The Planning program assists eligible recipients in managing and coordinating the development and implementation of regional economic development plans, such as Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), and plans to guide the creation and/or retention of high-quality jobs and private investment attraction. The Local Technical Assistance program strengthens the capacity of local, regional, or State organizations and institutions to undertake economic development projects such as feasibility studies, impact analyses, disaster resiliency plans, and project planning. Projects must advance the EDA’s Investment priorities. The typical EDA cost share rate for projects is 50 percent. Eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofits. Contact Kerrie Salwa at ksalwa@cmrpc.org for more information. 

Rural Business Investment Program (rolling): The Rural Business Investment Program provides a Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC) license to newly formed developmental capital organizations to aid in meeting equity capital investment needs in rural communities. For more information contact RBIP@usda.gov  

Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance (rolling): This program assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing Rural Energy Development Assistance (REDA). Funds must be provided to agricultural producers and small businesses in eligible rural areas. Government organizations, rural electric cooperatives, and public power entities are among the eligible organizations. For more information contact Jessica Debarros at Jessica.debarros@usda.gov

On-Farm Labor Housing Loans (rolling): This program provides affordable financing to develop or rehabilitate affordable rental housing for very low to moderate-income domestic, migrant, and seasonal farm laborers. It also provides funding used to increase the supply of affordable housing for farm labor; and the ability of the farmer to provide affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary housing for farm workers. Individual farm owners, family farmers, and farmer associations are among those eligible to apply. For more information contact the USDA Processing and Report Review Branch at MFHprocessing1@usda.gov  

Community Facilities Loan & Grant Program (rolling): This program provides funds to improve, construct, develop, and finance essential community facilities for rural communities such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, certain schools, childcare centers, fire and rescue, public safety facilities, libraries, and town halls. Government organizations, public bodies, and community-based non-profit organizations are among those eligible to apply. For more information contact Lyndon Nichols at lyndon.nichols@udsa.gov

Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program (rolling): This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and stormwater drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Funds can be used to buy, build, repair, and improve public water and waste treatment and collection systems. Government organizations and non-profit organizations are among those eligible to apply. For more information contact Lyndon Nichols at lyndon.nichols@udsa.gov

Hometown Grants (rolling on a quarterly basis): The Hometown Grant is an initiative to support community projects including but not limited to historic revitalization, creating downtown assets or destinations, and improving community gathering spaces. Projects that focus on a sense of place or could lead to future investments are of interest. For more information visit https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/hometown-grants#FAQs 

DOE Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Funding Opportunity (TBD) The DOE Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Funding Opportunity will provide funding to 20 – 50 projects with awards ranging from $2 – $50 million per award. This opportunity is open to state, local, and Tribal governments, and other communities of less than 10,000 residents. Projects funded will prioritize the improvement of cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or distribution systems; siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines; greenhouse gas emission reduction, modernizing or providing electric generation facilities, developing microgrids, or increasing energy efficiency. For more information email OCED@hq.doe.gov. 

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) (due April 18, 2025, for communities that have submitted a Statement of Interest by February 10, 2025): The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant is a competitive program that provides funding to states, federally recognized Tribal governments, U.S. territories, and local governments. Funds are for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA chooses recipients based on the applicant’s ranking of the project, eligibility, and cost-effectiveness of the project. FEMA requires applicants to have a current hazard mitigation plan. For more information, contact Marc Granato at mgranato@cmrpc.org. 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) (due April 18, 2025): BRIC supports states, local communities, tribes, and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The program’s guiding principles are supporting communities through capability and capacity building; encouraging and enabling innovation; promoting partnerships; enabling large infrastructure projects; maintaining flexibility; and providing consistency. For more information, contact Marc Granato at mgranato@cmrpc.org. 

Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program (due April 25, 2025): The Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program offers municipalities the opportunity to engage in digital equity planning activities to assess how internet access, or lack thereof affects their community. Digital Equity Planning enables municipalities to engage in planning activities related to digital equity and bridging the digital divide; this is followed by a strategic document designed to identify the community’s needs, interests, and assets providing a framework that will guide future decision-making, potential investments, and activities in tandem with increasing internet and digital device accessibility. For more information contact Gloria Agossou at gagossou@cmrpc.org. 

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (due May 31, 2025, for Tribes applying) The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program assists states, local governments, and tribes in implementing strategies for energy reduction, reducing fossil fuel emissions, and improving energy efficiency. For more information contact eecbg@hq.doe.gov.