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.

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.

Vibe North Street

The Berkshire Black Economic Council (BBEC) is proud to lead the "Vibe North Street" storefront recruitment grant program in collaboration with Downtown Pittsfield Inc. (DPI). The grant, which is funded by Mass Development's Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), will offer businesses the opportunity to receive TDI Local funds in amounts between $7,500 and $25,000 to help cover the costs of relocating to currently vacant storefronts in the North Street district.

Applications will be selected and awarded on a rolling basis until funds are fully disbursed.

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.

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.

Lee Bank Foundation Grant

Funding: 501(c)(3) organizations may submit one application for review in any 12-month period. Grants awarded range from $1,000 – $25,000.

The primary focus of the Lee Bank Foundation is the reduction of the opportunity and wealth gap for youth and families in Berkshire County. Our grants fund organizations that are committed to creative and original approaches to serving the community. 

Deadline: June 1, 2023.

Small Business Technical Assistance Grant Program

MGCC is seeking proposals for technical assistance to assist underserved small businesses in Massachusetts. MGCC will accept applications from not-for-profit organizations that currently provide technical assistance and training programs to small businesses and start-ups. These grants are intended to supplement the organization’s current and anticipated funding and not to be the primary funding support. If applying organization(s) currently receives, or will receive, funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for its small business assistance program, articulate how those funds are being used and how funding from the Small Business Assistance Grant Program will not be duplicative.

Deadline: Friday, June 2, 2023.

Progressive® Driving Small Business Forward Fund (2023)

Progressive would like to support these business owners with funds to take their business to the next level. The Driving Small Business Forward fund will provide $25,000 to 10 small businesses towards the purchase of a commercial vehicle to accelerate their business. To be eligible, a business must be majority (51%+) owned and operated by a Black-identifying entrepreneur(s), have a demonstrated need for a commercial vehicle, commitment to local community and a clear plan to keep their business moving forward.  Applications are open now through June 2, 2023. For frequently asked questions or to see the full list of eligibility criteria, please visit our FAQs and Terms and Conditions.

Deadline: June 2, 2023, at 6 p.m. ET.

Biz-M-Power matching grant program

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. This program is funded by the Commonwealth’s Operating Budget appropriated $7,500,000 for this program.

Deadline: June 30, 2023. Rolling applications with review 2-6 weeks after submission.

Empower Digital Grant

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.

Deadline: When funds are fully disbursed with the latest possible deadline of June 30, 2023.

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS

Grants for Arts Projects is our largest grants program for organizations, providing comprehensive and expansive funding opportunities for communities.

Applicants may request cost share/matching grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

Designated local arts agencies eligible to subgrant may request from $30,000 to $150,000 for subgranting programs in the Local Arts Agencies discipline. A minimum cost share/match equal to the grant amount is required. 

Deadline: Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov by July 6, 2023 at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time

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.

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.

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.

MBDA small business center’s Covid-19 relief

COVID 19 Project Small Business Center expands support to our most vulnerable New England minority-owned businesses across Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts. Objective of this grant is to help our smallest minority-owned companies prepare for, and respond to, the continued effects of the coronavirus

COVID-19 Project launched July 1st and is actively recruiting new clients in all six New England states.

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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