Best Climate Change Grants in Massachusetts

Massachusetts-based climatetech companies developing solutions for climate mitigation, adaptation, or resilience can access funding through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, with typical investments of US $100,000 - US $600,000. Eligible firms must align with clean energy or climate goals and keep most core business functions within Massachusetts, supporting the state’s climate resilience and equity priorities.

Massachusetts climate-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, fiscally sponsored projects, and public agencies can access funding through Barr Foundation for clean energy, low-carbon mobility, and climate resilience initiatives. Priority goes to equity-centered, people of color-led efforts that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resilient communities, and strengthen inclusive climate leadership and narratives.

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 Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

Open space and land conservation nonprofits in Massachusetts can use this fund to acquire land or conservation easements that protect climate-resilient habitats. Open Space Institute provides capital grants and low-interest loans for permanent protection projects in designated resilient focus areas, prioritizing properties with high landscape resilience and strong long-term stewardship plans.

Massachusetts employers seeking to fund workforce training that boosts job retention, growth, wages, and productivity can apply for Commonwealth Corporation’s Workforce Training Fund Program, with awards from US $10,000 - US $125,000. Eligible businesses, including some nonprofits contributing to the Fund, may propose training in areas like adult basic education, ESOL, DEI, and climate change resiliency / green economy.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on climate change resilience, coastal conservation, and environmental justice in Massachusetts can apply for operating or project support; some fiscally sponsored groups may also be eligible. Grants from Island Foundation help strengthen marine and coastal resource protection, sustainable fisheries and agriculture, and community-focused climate and environmental health initiatives.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

Massachusetts nonprofits and community organizations working on land conservation, environmental education, and climate change can apply for US $2,500 - US $10,000 to support their programs. Focused on environment, the Adelard and Valeda Roy Foundation prioritizes projects serving immigrants, refugees, Indigenous communities, low-income youth, and the elderly in greater Boston and underserved rural and urban areas.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Insperity's Corporate Contributions program emphasizes community involvement and corporate citizenship, providing philanthropic grants and event sponsorships to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Eligible organizations must engage Insperity employees or contribute to the communities where they operate. The program aims to support nonprofits in achieving their service goals and enhancing community welfare. Applications must be submitted 90 days prior to events, and funding requests can be made once a year.

Owners of conserved private or municipal lands in Massachusetts can receive US $5,000 - US $75,000 for on-the-ground wildlife habitat restoration and management projects. Grants from Massachusetts Department of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA) support upland, wetland, and aquatic habitat work that can bolster climate resilience and benefit game species and species of greatest conservation need.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Massachusetts that support basic needs, at-risk youth, or domestic violence services and are located within 15 miles of a TJX site can seek program funding. The TJX Foundation invites eligible groups to complete an online eligibility questionnaire and, if approved, submit a letter of inquiry for consideration.

Massachusetts workforce and training organizations building clean energy career pathways for underrepresented residents can apply for funding from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, with awards up to US $1,200,000. Grants support climate-critical workforce training, pipeline preparedness, and planning projects that expand equitable access to high-quality clean energy jobs and advance climate change resilience and equity in Massachusetts.

Colleges and universities in Massachusetts seeking to enhance campus greening and climate resilience can apply for National Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus Higher Education recognition program. This framework supports campus tree advisory committees, care plans, dedicated tree budgets, Arbor Day observances, and student service-learning projects that strengthen green space and environmental benefits.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Ameriprise Financial provides Massachusetts nonprofits addressing basic needs, community development, or volunteer-driven causes with funding support. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations working on hunger, shelter, adult self-sufficiency, economic development, or cultural enrichment in the U.S. may benefit, with preference for communities near Ameriprise employee centers.

Academic, research, and educational institutions in Massachusetts can seek funding for two-year projects that address coastal and marine issues, climate resilience, and equity. Grants from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution help Massachusetts climate change resilience and equity efforts, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, coastal conservation, and environmental literacy, with awards up to US $250,000 requiring a 1:2 non-federal match.

With a mission to advance clean energy, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center provides Massachusetts K-12 public schools with funding to improve energy efficiency, cut carbon emissions, and address climate impacts. Eligible projects at any planning or construction stage can receive US $50,000 - US $5,000,000, helping districts decarbonize school buildings and support climate resilience goals.

Nonprofit conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies in Massachusetts and other Appalachian states can seek up to US $100,000 for land acquisition and related costs from The Nature Conservancy. With a mission to conserve lands and waters, it supports fee and easement projects that enhance climate resilience, connectivity, and community benefits.

Nonprofits, fiscally sponsored groups, and municipalities in Massachusetts can seek $2,000 - $10,000 for environmental preservation, outdoor education, and domestic animal welfare projects. Focused on local land and water conservation, habitat restoration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts supports work benefiting its 33-town North Central region.

Focused on genocide history education, Massachusetts local education agencies in Massachusetts can apply for up to US $160,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop curriculum, provide professional development, and create enriching learning experiences for secondary students. Projects that advance equity, sustainability, and community partnerships may be especially competitive and could intersect with climate resilience and equity initiatives.

Massachusetts coastal municipalities, eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits with publicly accessible vulnerable coastal property, and Massachusetts Tribes can seek up to US $2,000,000 for coastal resilience planning and projects. Massachusetts Department of Energy & Environmental Affairs supports vulnerability assessments, public outreach, resilience planning, infrastructure retrofits, and shoreline restoration to address storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise.

Massachusetts research institutions and organizations studying offshore wind impacts and climate-related marine issues can access funding through Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for projects in Massachusetts and select Maine coastal counties. Grants of US $50,000 - US $500,000 support fisheries, wildlife and habitat, regional transmission planning, Gulf of Maine monitoring, and communicating existing offshore wind science and research.

Urban agriculture organizations and municipal or nonprofit partners in Massachusetts can seek capital funding for commercial food production, processing, and marketing projects that expand access to fresh, local produce in low- to moderate-income urban neighborhoods. Focused on sustainable infrastructure, MDAR invites projects improving soil, land access, equipment, green and climate-resilient infrastructure, and distribution systems.

Nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts working on community projects in Boston that cut air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions can apply for the City of Boston’s Community Clean Air Grant Program, with awards up to US $200,000. Funding supports measurable air-quality improvements, health impact mitigation, and community capacity to monitor or prevent pollution, especially for vulnerable residents.

Nonprofit organizations helping disadvantaged people become self-reliant, including those addressing climate-related vulnerability in Massachusetts, can apply for US $5,000 - US $250,000 to support direct services and humanitarian aid. Grants from Gupta Family Foundation fund smaller, non-sectarian organizations worldwide whose leaders show deep personal commitment and ensure at least 90% of funds reach beneficiaries.