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.
Grants for Arts Projects is our largest grants program for organizations, providing comprehensive and expansive funding opportunities for communities. Through project-based funding, the program supports opportunities for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector.
We welcome applications from a variety of eligible organizations, including first-time applicants; from organizations serving communities of all sizes, including rural and urban areas; and from organizations with small, medium, or large operating budgets.
The Pittsfield Glow Up! Business Improvement Grant Program is made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act and is facilitated by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) and the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC). Its purpose is to provide grants of up to $10,000 to eligible businesses affected by COVID-19 within ARPA’s disproportionately impacted district of Pittsfield. The grant funds are for physical improvements that will enhance the experience of foot traffic and create a visual vibrancy in the district.
Small businesses owned by low- to moderate-income individuals, women, minorities, immigrants, non-native English speakers, U.S. military veterans, disabled individuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are encouraged to apply.
MASS MoCA’s Assets for Artists Capacity Building Grant Program pairs an unrestricted micro-grant of $2,000 with professional development tools for artists to design and build their creative future. In this program, each artist determines what they need from a broad array of opportunities, which means that each artist’s path through the program will look a little different. In order to receive their funds, each grantee must first produce a simple written plan that outlines a few goals for the coming year(s). This is a supported process – we have plenty of resources to help artists create plans.
Local Media Consortium (LMC) has established a scholarship program to assist students who plan to pursue a degree in Journalism or Media at a four-year college or university.
The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team. Awards for this scholarship are granted to eligible recipients without regard to creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or national origin.
For Youth ages 14-25. Held in-person at MassHire Berkshire Career Center OR virtually on Zoom, Thursdays from 2:30-4:00 via zoom. Hosted by MassHire Berkshire Career Center Youth Employment Specialist.
Helps young people search for employment, apply for jobs, and provides access to resources within the community.
Free training opportunity worth $2000!
Want a Job in the Diverse World of Manufacturing? Many jobs are available!
ONLINE training through TOOLING-U in collaboration with Berkshire Community College
25 online classes in many topics including: OSHA, Shop Math, Blue Print Reading, CNC, Robotics and other Manufacturing fundamentals
CommonWealth Kitchen has partnered with Santander to provide an intensive, 12-week FREE mini-MBA program, in collaboration with Babson College to early-stage entrepreneurs in the food-industry.
Santander’s Cultivate Small Business provides entrepreneurs with the tools they need to catalyze growth. The program is anchored by a food business-specific curriculum taught by Babson College MBA professors.
The 12-week course is completely virtual and is accepting applications now for classes beginning in April 2023!
$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.
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.
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