Grants + Technical Assistance

The BBEC publicizes grants that we believe will be of benefit to Black entrepreneurs and Black businesses. Grants marked with the BBEC logo have been reviewed by our organization.

BBEC Equipment & Infrastructure Grant

Funding will be available to support Black businesses and entrepreneurs with equipment and infrastructure costs. St. John’s Episcopal Church is pleased to partner with BBEC in making our local economy more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We hope that grants from this fund become a form of blessing for all recipients that can ripple out through our community. Grants up to $4,500 available.

First come, first served. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

BBEC Professional Expertise Grant

Funding will be available to cover the cost of professional expenses for Black businesses. This grant is made possible by the generous contribution of Mike and Rebecca Thompson. Grants up to $1,500 available.

First come, first served. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Black Arts Council Grant

The Black Arts Council Grant program will award funds to finance the purchase of art supplies and equipment for Black youth ages 7 – 22 years old. All forms of art are welcome and celebrated including but not limited to music, visual arts, photography, textiles, theatre/performing arts, graphic design, mixed media, and more. Younger applicants (ages 7-14) may complete the application in person with a parent/guardian at the BBEC office on select Sundays between the hours of 10 am – 12 pm. Advanced scheduling is required for in-person applications. Contact Erica Barreto (assistant@berkshirebec.org)

Apply now! Rolling deadline.

BBEC & Roots Rising’s BIPOC Vendor Fund

Roots Rising is committed to fostering inclusive participation in the movement towards a just and sustainable food system. To that end we are excited to announce this fund to support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) farmers and entrepreneurs.

Apply now! Rolling deadline.

BBEC & Roots Rising’s BIPOC Vendor Fund

Roots Rising is committed to fostering inclusive participation in the movement towards a just and sustainable food system. To that end we are excited to announce this fund to support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) farmers and entrepreneurs.

Apply now! Rolling deadline.

Equity workforce planning and capacity grants

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

$894, 422 available for organizations to expand workforce training and minority-and-women owned business support programs.

Applications accepted on a rolling basis until May 20, 2024

-Up to $50,000 for planning projects.

-Up to $150,000 for capacity grant projects.

-Plan and build capacity for your organizations to develop programs that expands access to career and business opportunities in climate-critical fields

-Form partnerships and build clean energy expertise through MassCEC office hours and networking resources.

-Apply by the first priority review date October 16th, 2023

We award $1,000 grants every month.

The Awesome Foundation

The Awesome Foundation is an ever-growing worldwide community devoted to forwarding the interest of awesome in the universe. Created in the long hot summer days of 2009 in Boston, the Foundation distributes $1,000 grants, no strings attached, to projects and their creators. At each fully autonomous chapter, the money is pooled together from the coffers of ten or so self-organizing “micro-trustees” and given up front in cash, check, or gold doubloons.

We award $1,000 grants every month.

Global Majority 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training for BIPOC Practitioners

This August, Kripalu is pleased to offer for the first time in our 50-year history a teacher training specifically dedicated to preparing members of the Global Majority to become Kripalu Yoga teachers. This training is taught by BIPOC Kripalu faculty—and designed for BIPOC practitioners—to uplift the experiences, wisdom, and talents of all involved.

Live online training: August 18—December 10, 2023

Black Farmer Fund Rapid Response fund

The Black Farmer Fund Rapid Response Fund exists to support Black farmers & food actors across the Northeast in emergency situations including but not limited to equipment breakdown, weather damage, loss of crops or animals, medical expenses, stolen or damaged supplies, etc.

This fund intends to provide direct financial support more quickly than traditional funding options. The main goal of this fund is to address acute emergencies to provide immediate restoration of your operation. Decisions for the RRF are made by a community-led committee.

We will reach out with a response between 10-14 weekdays after the application is submitted.

Nursing Assistant training programs

The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board is excited to continue recruitment for future cohorts of our Nursing Assistant Programs! We are accepting applications on a rolling basis for future programs. You will be contacted when dates are announced to confirm that you are available and interested.

Possible programs include:
– A Blended Online training, provided by our partners at Integritus Healthcare, pairs online learning with hands-on clinical experience. Locations vary throughout the county.
– A modified nursing assistant training program, provided by our partners at Berkshire Health Systems, taking place in Pittsfield.

Limited spots available.

Fall Manufacturing Training

Are you un/underemployed in Berkshire County? Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to explore our comprehensive training program at absolutely no cost to you! This Fall, we’re offering 100 Hours of Training in Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing!

Program Schedule: Tuesday – Thursday, 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Location: Charles H. McCann Technical School
In this program, you’ll learn essential skills to boost your employability, such as OSHA, Shop Math, Blueprint Reading, Programming in Mill and Lathe, Hands-on Machining, and CAD/CAM. But that’s not all! Enjoy Employer Tours, Career Readiness sessions and access to Job Fairs to boost your employability.

Email your completed application to Sara@masshireberkshire.com or fax it to 413-448-2801.
Questions? We’re here to help! Call 413-442-7177 ext. 153 for any inquiries. 

Free Berkshire Advanced Manufacturing Training Program begins September 2023.

Summer Youth Works

Youth Works provides PAID Internship and training services to a wide range of participants in terms of ages, levels of career awareness, and goals. To provide all participants with effective and relevant youth workforce development services, Youth Works consists of four specific tiers: Service and Project-based Learning for 14-15-year-olds, Early and Career Trajectory Experiences for 16-17-year-olds, Career Pathway Training and Support for 18-21-year-olds and Emerging into Career and Career Management for 22-25-year-olds.

The application can be printed out and completed, completed online at the Youth Works link above OR found at MassHire Berkshire Career Center, which is located at 160 North Street Pittsfield, MA, 3rd Floor.

North Adams Office Hours

Starting April 4, 2023, MassHire Berkshire Career Center will be at the North Adams Public Library 9am-3pm every Tuesday to assist with job search! No registration needed, walk ins welcome!

Visit MassHire Berkshire Career Center staff every Tuesday from 9am-3pm at the North Adams Public Library, 74 Church St, 3rd Floor Community Room, North Adams, MA.

BridgeSong Fund: Emergency Relief for Western MA Women, Nonbinary, and Genderqueer Artists of Color

This trans- and queer- affirming emergency fund will support Western MA BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) women, nonbinary, and genderqueer musicians* who already face economic, medical, equity barriers and systemic oppression in their line of independent, gig-based work. The COVID-19 outbreak has rendered many musicians unemployed for the foreseeable future. This relief fund is set up to offer financial relief for housing, medical expenses, and sustenance during this challenging time.

Our goal is to get funds to recipients ASAP. We are a small team, so please be patient as we work to respond to applications and distribute funds as they become available.

Mass Mutual Catalyst Fund (MMCF)

$25 million to target investments in Black-owned, founded, or managed businesses across Massachusetts.

What we look for
Geography: Companies must have headquarters and/or significant operations in Massachusetts.

Ownership/Founding Teams: Companies must be Black-owned and remain majority Black-owned after investment.

Impact: MMCF portfolio companies will create positive economic impact in MA. In addition, MMCF prefers companies where environmental, social or governance impact are an intrinsic part of the company’s product or service. 

Currently accepting applications.

Massachusetts Small Business Growth Fund

Entrepreneurs of color in Massachusetts have an unmet capital demand estimated at $574 million annually.

LISC’s entrepreneur-friendly Massachusetts Small Business Growth Fund is critically needed to fill gaps in capital access. 

Currently accepting inquiries.

small business technical assistance

Whether you want to launch, pivot, or expand your small business, the goal of our free Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) program is to equip you with foundational business operations knowledge and practical guidance on business development issues, tasks, and initiatives.

Currently accepting applications for the next round of SBTA clients.

small business technical assistance

Whether you want to launch, pivot, or expand your small business, the goal of our free Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) program is to equip you with foundational business operations knowledge and practical guidance on business development issues, tasks, and initiatives.

Currently accepting applications for the next round of SBTA clients.

Operating Grants for Organizations

Who can apply: Organizations NEW in FY24! Unrestricted general operating grants for Massachusetts-based, nonprofit cultural organizations with year-round operations offering public programming in the arts, humanities, or sciences. Grant amounts range from $6,000 to $60,000.

OPENS: March 14, 2024/ DEADLINE: June 13, 2024

Festivals & Projects

Who can apply: Organizations

Grants of $2,500 for organizations to fund public activities that incorporate the arts, humanities, or sciences.

OPENS: March 28, 2024/ DEADLINE: May 23, 2024

Gaming Mitigation Fund

Who can apply: Organizations Grants to Massachusetts nonprofit and municipal performing arts centers to spend on touring shows or touring artist fees.

OPENS: December 5, 2023/DEADLINE: February 1, 2024

Grants for creative individuals

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.

OPENS: October 2023/ DEADLINE: December 2023

cultural facilities fund(CFF)

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.

OPENS: October 12, 2023, 2024/ DEADLINE: December 14, 2023

Stars Residencies

Who can apply: Individuals and Organizations

Residencies that bring students and teachers together with practicing artists, scientists, and humanists to create rich cultural experiences in Massachusetts K-12 classrooms. Schools, individuals, and cultural organizations are eligible to apply. Residences must last a minimum of three days. Grants range from $2,500 to $6,100.

OPENS: September 21, 2023 14, 2024/ DEADLINE: October 24, 2023

Local cultural council program

Who can apply: Individuals and Organizations Every community in Massachusetts is served by a Local Cultural Council (LCC), led by municipally appointed volunteers who administer an annual grant program to support local cultural projects. Grant amounts vary and applications are submitted directly to each LCC.

OPEN now/ DEADLINE: October 17, 2023

Business to Business

For economic justice, try our business to business matchmaking to contact our directory of Black businesses.

Internships

If you are interested in pursuing an internship, don’t be shy, just apply!

Once you have completed our matchmaking form once, it is yours to redecorate or not. Thus, making it easier to apply again for other internships.

For Supervisor:
For intern:

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