Best Massachusetts Grants for Nonprofits

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Seminarian Studies, funded by UNICO Foundation Inc, offers four scholarships worth $1,000 each to full-time seminarians attending accredited Catholic seminaries in the U.S. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and either reside in specific states or have a UNICO sponsor. This scholarship supports the educational journey of seminarians, reflecting UNICO's commitment to serving the community and promoting Italian American heritage.

The Inserra Scholarships, provided by the UNICO Foundation, aim to support students of Italian descent pursuing higher education. Two scholarships of $2,500 each are awarded annually to eligible candidates who are U.S. citizens attending accredited colleges or universities full-time. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and continue their studies in the 2026-2027 academic year. This initiative reflects UNICO's commitment to empowering the Italian American community through education.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Veterinary Studies, offered by the UNICO Foundation, provides two scholarships of $2,500 each for students pursuing veterinary studies at accredited U.S. colleges. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time, and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This opportunity supports diverse applicants and emphasizes community service, reflecting UNICO's commitment to Italian American heritage and educational advancement.

The Ralph J. Torraco Fine Arts Scholarship, offered by the UNICO Foundation, awards two $2,500 scholarships to U.S. students studying Fine Arts, including Performing, Visual, or Technical Arts. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0, enrolled full-time in an accredited college, and planning to continue their studies into the 2025-2026 academic year. This scholarship aims to support and promote Italian American culture and heritage through the arts.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Therapy Sciences, provided by the UNICO Foundation, awards two scholarships valued at $2,500 each to full-time students pursuing degrees in Therapy Sciences, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and continue their studies in the 2026-2027 academic year. This scholarship promotes educational advancement within the community.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Special Education, offered by the UNICO Foundation, provides two scholarships of $2,500 each for U.S. students pursuing degrees in Special Education. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plan to continue their studies into the 2026-2027 academic year. This scholarship supports students with various disabilities, ensuring that education is accessible and equitable for all.

The Robert J. Tarte Scholarship for Italian Studies, offered by the UNICO Foundation, supports students of Italian descent pursuing a major or minor in Italian Studies or Language. Valued at $1,000, this scholarship is awarded to full-time undergraduate students attending accredited institutions in the U.S. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and continue their studies through the 2026-2027 academic year, with preference given to those demonstrating financial need.

The Guglielmo Marconi Engineering Scholarship, offered by UNICO Foundation, provides $1,250 to students of Italian descent pursuing engineering degrees in various disciplines. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time in accredited programs, and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. This scholarship not only supports academic achievement but also promotes the heritage and contributions of the Italian American community, continuing UNICO's legacy of service and support.

The Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship, awarded by Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, supports first and second-year medical students conducting research over 2 to 12 months. With a total funding of $7,000, students can receive reimbursement for travel expenses up to $1,000 for presenting their findings at national conferences. Eligibility requires enrollment in schools with active AΩA chapters, while those taking a year off for research or holding a PhD are ineligible.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

The Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.

• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. 
• Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. However, some are also available to students who live in Berkshire County and Hartford County in Connecticut.
• We offer scholarships to those who attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States may apply.
• Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Wilbur H.H. Ward Education Fund

To support individuals from Hampshire County attending University of Massachusetts Amherst with preference given to residents of the Town of Amherst.

The David Gergen Summer Fellowship Program at Harvard Kennedy School offers an exceptional opportunity for students to engage in public service internships during summer 2026. Designed for current HKS students, this competitive program provides financial support for living and travel expenses, along with a robust co-curricular leadership development program. Recipients gain invaluable hands-on experience and networking opportunities, fostering principled public leadership in various sectors, including government and nonprofit organizations.

The Northeast SARE: Farmer Grant Program supports innovative sustainable agriculture projects by providing funding to farmers. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 enable farmers to conduct research, implement new ideas, and address issues affecting long-term sustainability. This program encourages proposals that explore diverse topics such as crop production, livestock raising, urban agriculture, and climate-smart practices. Successful projects promise significant benefits to farming communities while fostering collaboration and education within the agricultural sector.

The Jill Barrett Research Award in Biology offers prestigious research opportunities for undergraduate students at Northeastern University. This competitive program focuses on environmental sciences and behavioral neuroscience, providing mentorship, advanced research skills, and professional development. Participants engage in an 11-week summer project, culminating in a formal presentation of their research. Paid positions are available with on-campus housing at the Oakland campus, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience.

The David M. Rubenstein Fellowship at Harvard Kennedy School supports first-year joint-degree students from HKS and Harvard Business School, fostering leaders equipped to tackle global challenges. This fellowship offers financial aid, a comprehensive leadership development program, and a network of exceptional peers and mentors. Candidates are evaluated based on their commitment to public service and leadership potential. Since its inception in 2008, it has aimed to enhance the intersection of business, government, and nonprofit sectors.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is launching the FY2027 Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program to support Local Educational Agencies in developing diverse pathways to teacher licensure. This initiative emphasizes equitable access for underrepresented communities through paid training and mentorship. The program aims to strengthen workforce stability while addressing critical staffing needs in special education, ESL, and STEM. Districts will receive planning grants to enhance educator preparation and community engagement, ensuring a high-quality and inclusive education system.

The HKS Center for Public Leadership's Equity Fellowship aims to empower diverse, talented students committed to promoting equity within society. This fellowship offers financial support for a master's degree at Harvard Kennedy School, along with a comprehensive leadership development program. Recipients will connect with exceptional peers and mentors, focusing on enhancing their impact in communities, particularly among marginalized populations. The fellowship encourages applications from individuals with a demonstrated commitment to addressing disparities across various sectors.

The Rogers Family Foundation Fund supports nonprofit organizations focused on education, health, human services, community development, and the arts in Massachusetts' Merrimack Valley and North Shore, as well as Southeastern New Hampshire. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) and not classified as private foundations. Proposal deadlines are March 1 and September 1, with specific funding interests prioritized for program support.

The Bayard Long Award supports students researching plant species in the Philadelphia area and surrounding regions. With a typical funding of $2000, it encourages studies that enhance understanding of local flora, including field and herbarium work. Eligible projects must include at least one native plant species, promoting both academic and practical botanical endeavors. This opportunity is available to all students enrolled in degree programs at any post-secondary institution, furthering educational and scientific exploration in botany.

The Gleitsman Leadership Fellowship at Harvard Kennedy School empowers emerging social activists with financial support for their master's program, alongside a co-curricular program enhancing leadership skills. Fellows are selected based on their potential to create transformative social impact and are provided with mentorship and a network to facilitate community engagement. This fellowship embodies HKS's mission to cultivate principled public leadership and bridge theory with practice in various sectors.

The Mosaic Opioid Recovery Municipal Matching Grant aims to distribute $3.75 million to municipalities in Massachusetts over three years, supporting initiatives to address the opioid crisis. Funded by RIZE, the program matches municipal opioid settlement funds to enhance community efforts in prevention, harm reduction, and recovery services. Eligible projects can receive up to $50,000 individually or $150,000 through collaborative efforts, fostering partnerships among municipalities and nonprofit organizations to improve public health outcomes.

Northeast SARE

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program offers competitive grants to farmers, educators, agricultural service providers, researchers, graduate students and others to address key issues affecting the sustainability of agriculture throughout our region. Northeast SARE is one of four regional SARE programs funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The program—including funding decisions—is driven by the Northeast SARE outcome statement:

Agriculture in the Northeast will be diversified and profitable, providing healthful products to customers. Farmers and the people they work with will steward resources to ensure sustainability and resilience, and foster conditions where farmers have high quality of life and communities can thrive.

Professional Development Grant

The Professional Development Grant program funds projects that help service providers improve the way they work with farmers through research-based education. These projects result in a change in practice or behavior by service providers that supports farmers in sustainable agriculture innovation.

Northeast SARE’s definition of a service provider is a professional who assists farmers as part of their work. Typical audiences include extension educators, consultants, agency personnel, and not-for-profit organization staff. Project audiences may include realtors, bankers, attorneys, or farmers who help other farmers.

The George W. Wells Foundation Grant supports quality educational, human services, and healthcare programs for underserved populations. Established in 1934, it primarily funds one-year grants, with occasional multi-year support. Eligible applicants include IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charities, particularly those serving Southbridge, Massachusetts. The Foundation encourages requests for both general operating and program support, allowing for small, program-related capital expenses to be included.

The Frank Reed & Margaret Jane Peters Memorial Fund I Grant supports educational, human services, and health care programs for underserved populations, particularly youth and children. Established in the 1930s, it typically offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $40,000, excluding support for the Summer Fund. Grant requests for general operating support are encouraged, with a preference for one-year projects, although multi-year support may be considered.

Business Builds: Climatetech

Business Builds: Climatetech is a competitive funding initiative created by the Mass Leads Act. It provides capital grants between $500K - $2M to help for-profit companies producing critical climate technologies make the capital investments needed to scale in or relocate to Massachusetts.

The Challenge: Overcome Barriers Facing Underrepresented Businesses Entering and Growing in the Clean Energy Sector

By 2030, the clean energy workforce is projected to grow by 34%, or more than 34,000 workers, to meet the state’s climate goals. New and expanding underrepresented businesses focused on the design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of clean energy and decarbonization projects are crucial to meeting the Commonwealth’s climate goals. These businesses put climate solutions into practice, foster environments that attract and support a diversified workforce, and pave the way to an equitable energy transition for environmental justice communities. Unfortunately, most underrepresented businesses face barriers to entry and growth. Regardless of sector, underrepresented businesses are denied access to capital at a much higher rate, face selection bias for projects, and often start with less personal wealth and social capital—all of which exacerbate the challenges that all businesses face during their start-up and early growth phases.​

About CUBS Grants

Climate-Critical Underrepresented Business Support (CUBS) Grants provide up to $800,000 in grant funds and technical support to applicants to support the expansion of services through a regional “Hub and Spoke” model.

This model provides accessible and uniform support through regional Hubs that will offer a suite of baseline core services designed to help underrepresented businesses become “business ready” to bid successfully on clean energy procurements. Spoke partners will offer complementary or additional services designed to enhance Hub services and further help underrepresented businesses pivot and grow in the clean energy sector.

This funding is not intended to benefit a single underrepresented business. Successful applicants propose projects that address barriers faced by underrepresented business, tackle both supply and demand needs, provide comprehensive wraparound services for individuals participating in the program, leverage existing support systems, and establish a robust cross-referral system between Hub and Spoke partnerships.

The Massachusetts Robotics Digital Twin Initiative aims to enhance access to robotics technology and foster the robotics entrepreneurial ecosystem across the Commonwealth. This funding opportunity, issued by the Innovation Institute's Robotics Department, will provide competitive capital grants for innovative robotic designs and applications. Projects will focus on building both physical robots and their digital twins, ensuring the resulting digital resources are publicly available for use by researchers and entrepreneurs, thus promoting collaboration and technological advancement.

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program provides grants for graduate students to research sustainable agriculture under faculty supervision. Proposals should address relevant issues for Northeast farmers and agricultural professionals. Projects should align with themes of stewardship, profitability, and quality of life. The aim is to support diversified and profitable agriculture in the Northeast, enhancing community and environmental well-being through effective resource management.