Grants: Small Business and Nonprofits
Melrose Small Business, Nonprofit and Arts Organizations Recovery Grant - Round 2
DEADLINE: April 21, 2023
The City of Melrose has launched a new temporary Grant Program to aid local small businesses and nonprofit organizations as they continue to recover financially from the COVID-19 pandemic. This competitive grant program, funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) relief funds, is now open for a second round and applications will be accepted.
Mayor Brodeur has authorized up to $225,000 of one-time ARPA funding to be made available to eligible Melrose small businesses, local non-profit organizations, and arts & cultural entities and will provide grants ranging from $2,500 to a maximum of $25,000 annually, as funds are available. Complete details are here.
Massachusetts Capital Growth Corporation Inclusivity Grant
DEADLINE: April 28, 2023 at 11:59pm
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $75,000,000 available to support small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation. This program targets businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups, underserved markets, and those owned by minorities, women, veterans, immigrants, first-generation immigrants, disabled individuals, or those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. MGCC will administer grants up to $75,000 for eligible small businesses, in a geographically equitable manner.
Program Overview and Required Documentation
Grant Amounts
Maximum grant amount is $75,000 and a minimum of $10,000. Grants will be limited to 3 months of operating expenses, as evidenced by 2021 Federal Tax Returns. MGCC reserves the right to award less than the amount requested.
Mass Humanities 2023 Staffing Recovery Grants Program
DEADLINE: May 1, 2023
These grants will fund organizations to sustain, expand the hours of, or hire new staff. The initiative is made possible through a special $2.5 million Cultural Sector Pandemic Recovery Grant from Mass Cultural Council, the state arts agency.
Aside from sustaining successful humanities programs, these grants aim to create, bring back, or grow humanities programs with new or expanded staff positions--including programming, fundraising, administration, or marketing positions.
Staffing Recovery Grants are a two-year funding opportunity for organizations with budgets of $500,000 or less and five or fewer full-time employees. Complete information here.
Massachusetts Capital Growth Corporation Grants
DEADLINE: June 30, 2023
- Biz Empower
The Biz-M-Power crowdfunding matching grant program offers small businesses in Massachusetts financial assistance with their acquisition, expansion, improvement or lease of a facility, purchase or lease of equipment, or with meeting other capital needs for the business. Eligible applicants will be empowered to advance their business with an innovative approach to obtaining capital. Through crowdfunding campaigns, these businesses connect with their local residents and stakeholders to advance projects that support economic success and transformation for their business and in their communities. Preference shall be given to small businesses owned by low- to moderate-income individuals (LMI), women, minorities, immigrants, non-native English speakers, U.S. military veterans, disabled individuals, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and businesses operating in Massachusetts Gateway Cities.
- Empower Digital
- The Empower Digital Grant provides funding for the needs of eligible Massachusetts-based small businesses seeking relevant capital expenses, tools, and services to develop their digital capabilities in partnership with a Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) provider. MGCC will administer grants for up to $5,000 for digital services and up to $5,000 for digital capacity-building capital expenses.
City of Melrose Grants
City of Melrose Sign & Facade Program
DEADLINE: Rolling
The Office of Planning and Community Development provides grants to Melrose business applicants for up to 50% of the cost of attractive business signs and façade improvement. The maximum grant is $1,000 for a sign and $500 for a façade improvement. Applications for a sign and façade improvement grant are available below and can be picked-up at OPCD. Applications must be received and approved before any work on the project begins.
Melrose Small Business, Nonprofit and Arts Organizations Recovery Grant - Round 1
DEADLINE: November 21 - check back soon for Round 2 Details
The City of Melrose has launched a new Grant Program to aid local small businesses and nonprofit organizations as they continue to recover financially from the COVID-19 pandemic. This competitive grant program, funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) relief funds, is now open and applications will be accepted until this year’s available funds have been disbursed.
Mayor Brodeur has authorized up to $225,000 of ARPA funding to be made available over the next three years to eligible Melrose small businesses, local non-profit organizations, and arts & cultural entities and will provide grants ranging from $2,500 to a maximum of $25,000 annually, as funds are available. Complete details are here.
Melrose Messina Fund for the Arts
DEADLINE: Rolling
The MMFA was established in 2012 to help Melrose artists and arts organizations finance their projects. Its goal is both to provide funding for projects occurring in Melrose that benefit the Melrose community and to supplement the budgets of local arts organizations and individual artists in order to encourage both diversity and innovation in arts presentations in the City and to provide broad-based arts experiences to the citizens of Melrose.
The MMFA seeks applications from Melrose artists and organizations to fund arts activities that will take place in Melrose. There is no funding deadline, and applications are accepted any time in the City’s fiscal year (July 1- June 30) for activities and events taking place within the same fiscal year. Learn more here.
Massachusetts Cultural Council Grants
Cultural Sector Recovery Grants for Individuals
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 1, 2022
Who can apply: Individuals
NEW in FY23! This one-time pandemic recovery program provides unrestricted grants of $5,000 for artists, creatives, culture bearers, and gig workers to support recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF)
DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 2, 2023
Who can apply: Organizations
Grants to support the acquisition, design, repair, rehabilitation, renovation, expansion, or construction of nonprofit cultural facilities. Nonprofit cultural organizations, municipalities, and colleges or universities that own or lease cultural facilities are eligible to apply. Grants range from $7,000 to $200,000. Managed in partnership with MassDevelopment.
Gaming Mitigation Program
DEADLINE: DECEMBER 8, 2022
Who can apply: Organizations
This program, which we administer at the direction of the Legislature, provides funding to Massachusetts nonprofit and municipal performing arts centers competing with casino venues to book and host touring shows and artists.
Festivals & Projects
DEADLINE: DECEMBER 15, 2022
Who can apply: Organizations
NEW! $2,500 grants to support cultural projects, programs, or festivals that provide community and/or public benefit.
To stay engaged and well informed about the Massachusetts Cultural Council's programs and services, follow them on social media -- @MassCultural -- or visit MassCulturalCouncil.org to sign up for our monthly e-newsletters.