Best Climate Change Grants in Massachusetts

About MassCEC

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits and to secure long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts.

Our Mission

MassCEC's mission is to accelerate the clean energy and climatetech innovation that is critical to meeting the Commonwealth’s climate goals, while advancing Massachusetts’ position as an international climate leader and growing the state’s clean energy economy.

2030 Fund

About the 2030 Fund

The $50M 2030 Fund is a signal to the market that Massachusetts is committed to the commercialization of climate technologies. MassCEC invests impactfully and countercyclically in Massachusetts’ most promising climate technology innovators. Our investments support climatetech companies as they de-risk their technology, reach early commercial milestones, and attract private funding for growth.  

Climatetech encompasses a wide range of tech solutions across sectors that further mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Portfolio companies work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change, and/or serve as enabling solutions to achieve the Commonwealth’s climate goals. We invest across seven major sectors: energy; industry and manufacturing; transportation; buildings; agriculture, food and nature; carbon management; and adaptation and resilience.

The 2030 Fund invests in a variety of financial instruments, including SAFEs, convertible notes, equity, and venture debt. Investments typically range from $100k-$600k per check and may total $1.5M cumulatively. MassCEC is able to provide more patient capital than a typical private investor. Deploying strategic state capital, with no artificial pressures of fund lifetimes, the 2030 Fund can invest counter-cyclically, back founders through challenging market conditions, and work for successful long-term exits. 

MassCEC considers new investments on a rolling basis. The timeline from pitch to close of investment is typically three to five months.

The Barr Foundation's Climate Grants program is committed to addressing climate change through equitable solutions that prioritize communities impacted by environmental injustices. With a focus on clean energy, mobility, and resilience, the program aims to foster an inclusive movement that supports diverse voices and builds capacity among organizations led by people of color. The initiative emphasizes collaboration and innovative strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare communities for climate impacts.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

The Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) provides essential grants to Massachusetts employers, focusing on small to medium-sized businesses. The program aims to enhance productivity and competitiveness by funding training for current and newly hired employees. Priorities include job retention, growth, and increased wages. Eligible employers must contribute to the Workforce Training Fund, ensuring that training aligns with state business needs. The program encourages applications emphasizing adult education, diversity, and climate resilience.

The Coastal Resilience Grant Program, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Energy & Environmental Affairs, aims to support coastal communities facing challenges from storms, flooding, and climate change. This program offers financial and technical assistance for projects that enhance understanding of climate impacts, conduct vulnerability assessments, and implement adaptation strategies. Eligible applicants include municipalities, nonprofits, and recognized tribes, focusing on proactive planning, public outreach, and shoreline restoration to ensure resilience against future climate threats.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers grants to support diverse initiatives, including museums, educational programs, and environmental activities. Aiming to make a significant impact with modest funding, the Foundation targets IRS-qualified non-profits in the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000, fostering community development and enhancement. Organizations focused on youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Foundation seeks to empower those in need.

The Island Foundation offers Environment Grants to support projects in coastal regions of Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, focusing on marine and coastal resource conservation. Priority is given to initiatives addressing climate change, promoting sustainable landscapes, and enhancing community health through environmental conservation. The Foundation encourages 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, with a preference for those engaged locally, to apply for funding that strengthens both ecological and community resilience.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) offers Equity Workforce Training Implementation Grants to enhance access to training for individuals from underrepresented communities. Grants of up to $1,200,000 are available over two to three years for projects that create career pathways in climate-critical occupations. Applicants can propose initiatives focused on employment training, pipeline preparedness for adult learners, or capacity planning for effective training programs, aiming to address existing barriers and foster employer engagement.

The Tree Campus Higher Education Program in Massachusetts promotes the importance of trees on college campuses. By meeting five key standards, colleges can achieve national recognition and foster a healthy, green environment for students. This initiative not only enhances campus beauty but also contributes to energy conservation, climate change mitigation, and mental health benefits for the community. Participation instills pride and encourages student involvement in environmental stewardship.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant is inviting proposals for innovative two-year research projects aimed at addressing coastal issues in Massachusetts. With a focus on healthy ecosystems, sustainable fisheries, and environmental literacy, the program seeks to enhance the conservation and practical use of marine resources. Approximately $1 million is available for funding, requiring a match of non-federal funds. This initiative emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the application of research results beyond academia.

Green School Works Grants

The Challenge: Decarbonize Public Schools

Massachusetts’ approximately 1,800 public school buildings are responsible for about 880,000 metric tons of carbon every year. Electrifying and decarbonizing these buildings represents a significant opportunity for the state to reach its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. However, with the increased costs of construction and competing capital needs, districts need additional resources for the installation and upgrades of clean energy infrastructure.

About Green School Works Grants

Green School Works grants provide K-12 public schools with funding to implement projects that improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, or mitigate the impacts of climate change. Up to 15% of an award's total funds can be used for project “soft costs,” such as design or project management.

Up to $19 million will be available to schools for this round of funding. Awards may range from $50,000 up to $5 million for projects with a larger scope that opt for a recoverable grant of at least $2 million. See Section 8 (Budget & Award Limits) of the RFP for details on recoverable grants.

The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program, offered by The Nature Conservancy, provides up to $100,000 for projects that acquire land and easements throughout the Appalachian region. This program emphasizes equitable conservation, aiming to support historically marginalized communities and enhance access to nature while addressing climate change impacts. Projects must demonstrate community engagement and align with the program's goals to protect vital habitats and foster resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

The Environmental Preservation & Animal Welfare Grant aims to enhance the natural beauty and animal welfare in North Central Massachusetts. This endowed fund supports initiatives such as habitat restoration, animal rescue, and environmental education. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt nonprofits and municipalities within the region. The grant emphasizes public access to natural areas and promotes humane treatment of animals through advocacy and education, ensuring community engagement in environmental stewardship.

Purpose

The purpose of this competitive grant program is to support teaching and learning related to the history of genocide. As stated in Chapter 98 of the Acts of 2021 , "Every school district shall, for the purpose of educating middle and high school students, provide instruction on the history of genocide consistent with the content standards articulated in the history and social science curriculum framework."

This grant supports LEAs to develop and/or select curriculum materials, implement professional development, and design other enriching learning experiences intended to further secondary students' understanding of the history and patterns of genocide. LEAs may propose to collaborate with vendors to support this work.

This grant is structured as a two-year program. LEAs awarded funding in FY27 (Year 1) may apply only for continuation funding in FY28 (Year 2) to support the next phase of their projects, contingent upon available funds and satisfactory progress. Continuation funding is not guaranteed. FY27 awardees will not be eligible to apply under a new FY28 competitive RFP. However, contingent upon available funds, a new cohort of LEAs may be selected through the FY28 competitive RFP process.

For more details about the genocide education in Massachusetts, please visit Genocide Education Resources and Guidance.

Priorities

DESE seeks to fund genocide education initiatives that exemplify:

Grant-funded projects should increase all students' access to high-quality genocide education experiences and work to address historical inequities where they exist. In addition, projects should provide students with culturally and linguistically sustaining learning experiences that value and affirm their identities and linguistic resources, center student and community agency, and develop students' critical perspectives. Supports for multilingual learners should be developed in alignment with the 2020 WIDA English Language Development Framework.

Grant-funded projects should take steps toward long-term enhancements to genocide education, including, but not limited to, the development of supportive instructional leadership structures. Investments such as professional development for educators or acquisition of needed instructional materials can provide benefits long past the period of this grant, as opposed to "one-off" activities.Grant-funded projects should include opportunities to work in partnership with relevant organizations and/or engage local community members. Examples include (but are not limited to): partnering with organizations with expertise in genocide education, partnering with local community-based organizations, soliciting input from relevant community stakeholders, and designing learning opportunities at local sites.Competitive priority in the scoring process will also be given to:

• Districts and schools in the strategic transformation region.
• LEAs that have not previously been awarded a Genocide Education Grant
• LEAs with a student population in which greater than 40% are designated as low-income.
• Grant-funded projects that enhance the antibias impact of their work by strengthening students' sense of safety and belonging in school. This may include learning about the relationship and differences between bullying, hate, prejudice, bias, and factors that can potentially lead to or disrupt violence and genocide, and/or applying these concepts to modern-day contexts and examples relevant to the school community. These efforts may also include work grounded in an analysis of available data [such as from the Views of Climate and Learning (VOCAL) and Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)].

Funding

Approximately $1,200,000 is available through this grant. Total amount of awards will be determined based on quality of proposals received.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available, it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.

Maximum award is determined by the total student enrollment of the applying LEA or group of LEAs if applying as a partnership. The maximum award represents what an LEA may receive over a two-year period.

• Size Tier 1: LEAs or LEA groups enrolling up to 1,000 students (total)
  • May apply for up to $40,000
• Size Tier 2: LEAs or LEA groups enrolling 1,001 – 6,000 students (total)
  • May apply for up to $80,000
• Size Tier 3: LEAs or LEA groups enrolling 6,001 – 10,000 students (total)
  • May apply for up to $120,000
• Size Tier 4: LEAs or LEA groups enrolling 10,001 or more students (total)
  • May apply for up to $160,000

Fund Use

The total funding amount listed in this RFP represents the maximum cumulative award an LEA may receive across both FY27 and FY28. This means the amount is not per year, but rather the combined ceiling for the entire two-year period. Year 2 funding is not guaranteed and is dependent on annual funding appropriation and continuation grant application approval. Applicants may request any portion of the maximum funding amount for Year 1. While applicants are encouraged to plan a two-year project, LEAs may propose a one-year project if it better aligns with their needs and capacity. Please see the Fund Use Details attachment for additional information including allowable fund use.

Offshore Wind Science and Research RFP

Massachusetts remains committed to offshore wind as a key energy source to provide critically needed energy, spur economic development, and create good-paying jobs. MassCEC recognizes that offshore wind development occurs in a dynamic ocean environment that supports existing marine industries of economic and cultural importance, is inhabited by critically endangered wildlife, and is itself undergoing climate-induced changes. These variables, among others, present a wide range of technical, logistical, and analytical research opportunities related to the offshore wind industry, particularly now that several projects have or soon will reach commercial operation. Focused science and research activities, and the organizational capacity to conduct that science and research, are needed in the near- and long-term to inform, optimize, and catalyze industry growth.   

The 2026 RFP will fund up to $2.5 million for projects aligned with priority research areas identified by MassCEC. While a broad array of research projects will be eligible to apply, this round of funding has also specified topic areas of interest within each of the following categories:

• Fisheries: Understanding Effects in Southern New England Lease Areas
• Wildlife and Habitat
• Regional Transmission Planning
• Gulf of Maine Regional Monitoring
• Communicating Existing Science and Research

MassCEC has allocated up to $2.5 Million Dollars ($2,500,000) in funding for awards and commitments under the Solicitation. We expect that awards will range from approximately $50,000 to $500,000. An application proposing higher amounts of MassCEC funding must present a compelling case for the funding need and potential outcomes toward achieving the Objectives.

The Massachusetts Urban Agriculture Grant Program aims to enhance food security and access to fresh produce in urban areas. It supports commercial projects for the production and marketing of food, focusing on long-term investments in infrastructure and innovative farming techniques. The program prioritizes initiatives that address soil quality, land acquisition, and community engagement, ensuring that urban farming benefits low to moderate-income neighborhoods and fosters local economic development.

The Community Clean Air Grant Program, initiated by the City of Boston's Air Pollution Control Commission, seeks proposals from nonprofit organizations for projects that reduce urban air pollution. This initiative aims to enhance public health and tackle climate change impacts, particularly in marginalized communities disproportionately affected by air pollution. Eligible projects include efforts to mitigate pollution sources, improve community monitoring capabilities, and achieve measurable air quality improvements. The program emphasizes support for vulnerable populations facing health risks from environmental pollutants.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

The MassWildlife Habitat Management Grant Program, managed by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, aims to improve and restore habitats for wildlife across the state. It supports landowners in enhancing ecological communities, managing habitats for endangered species, and promoting sustainable recreational opportunities. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $75,000 are available for approved projects that benefit wildlife on conserved lands, ensuring the long-term preservation of Massachusetts' diverse ecosystems.

The Adelard A. and Valeda Lea Roy Foundation Grant focuses on supporting organizations in arts, education, health, and environmental sectors, especially in underserved communities in Massachusetts and Northern New England. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $10,000, with an emphasis on projects that address food security, housing, and cultural access for disadvantaged populations. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that align with its current funding priorities, particularly benefiting low-income youth, Indigenous communities, and immigrants.

GrowBoston Capacity-Building Grant

About Grow Boston

GrowBoston is the City of Boston's new Office of Urban Agriculture, and part of the Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH). 

MOH has been supporting the development of community gardens, urban farms, food forests, and other open spaces for more than 25 years through the Grassroots Program, which is now part of the new GrowBoston. GrowBoston works to increase community gardens, urban farms, and other food-growing spaces throughout Boston; support innovative food production strategies; provide technical assistance to prospective and existing gardens and farms; develop resources for gardeners, farmers, and other residents; and coordinate with other City departments associated with food production in Boston. 

Capacity-Building Grant Description

GrowBoston is offering a total of $250,000 (available through grants of up to $50,000) to support organizations that produce food in Boston. Funded through City of Boston operating funds, these grants are intended to increase the capacity of urban agriculture organizations to produce food and to strengthen their climate resilience. Eligible project may improve the ability of farms and gardens to enhance long-term food production and/or prepare for the impacts of climate change and extreme weather. The public purpose of this grant is to support increased food production and climate-resilient urban agriculture for Boston resident