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 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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and youth can seek funding for health, education, development, and welfare programs worldwide, including Massachusetts, from the Dan Paul Foundation, with awards up to US $15,000. Climate-focused youth initiatives, such as clean air and water education or environmental responsibility programs, may be eligible under its child- and environment-centered priorities.

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.

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 organizations in Massachusetts working on community-based programs, education, arts, health, or environmental and wildlife protection can seek US $1,000 - US $20,000 to strengthen their work. The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation supports IRS-qualified U.S. nonprofits, and Massachusetts groups addressing climate resilience within these areas may be competitive.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.