Green zone funding (4) (1)

Funding a Green Zone in Grove Hall.
Elijah Miller
Northeastern University

General Funding Notes
1.) Funders like to work with grantees that can point to a clear record of
accomplishments. What would the Greater Grove Hall Main Streets consider to be
in its record of achievements?
2.) Funders like to work with grantees which utilize a methodological system of
evaluation. How will “Green Zone success” be measured?
3.) Funders like to work with grantees that are ready to launch specific projects
and/or programs. What will be the first concrete “Green Zone” initiative?

Federal Govt. Funds Note
1.) The federal government generally distributes funds to the States rather than
entities such as non-profits. Many of the grants they do offer are for research and
development rather than projects/programs.

American Rescue Plan Funds
1.) All American Rescue Plan Funds appear to be disbursed to the States so that the
States may set up systems of distribution.
• Community Navigator Pilot Program – Must demonstrate that you are (for free)
helping other eligible businesses to access COVID-19 assistance programs and
resources.
• Funding for Pollution and Disparate Impacts of COVID-19 – For activities
addressing the disproportionate environmental or public health harms and risks in
minority or low-income populations under the Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water
Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980, and the Energy Policy Act. Distributed by the EPA.
• State Small Business Credit Initiative – Loans to be distributed by the State
government.

Other Federal Funds
• Environmental Justice Small Grants Program – Awards up to $75,000
for 1-year projects with preference for activities that align with the text of
the American Rescue Plan. Can apply directly for the grant. Applications
due June, 1, 2021. Zoom webinar with updates April 26, 2021.

State Funds Notes
1.) The State prefers to fund specific projects that are as close to “shovel ready” as
possible.
2.) The State prefers to fund projects that seem to have community buy-in.
3.) Though not to the extent of the federal government, the State often disburses
funds to local governments for distribution rather than directly to entities like non-
profits.

State Funds
• Community One Stop Programs (A single application process for multiple
programs)
- MassWorks Infrastructure Program
- Urban Agenda Grant Program
- Planning and Zoning Grants (AKA Community Planning Grants)
- Brownfields Redevelopment Funds (Must be led by a municipality or EDIC)
- Site Readiness Program
- Underutilized Properties Program
• Community One Stop application due June 4, 2021.

MassWorks Infrastructure Program (One Stop)
• A competitive grant program that provides the largest and most flexible source of
capital funds to municipalities and other eligible public entities primarily for
public infrastructure projects that support and accelerate housing production, spur
private development, and create jobs throughout the Commonwealth (May be
difficult for a non-profit to obtain).
• Places particular emphasis on the production of multi-family housing in
appropriately located walkable, mixed-use districts that result in direct and
immediate job creation and/or support economic development in weak or
distressed areas.

Urban Agenda Grant Program (One Stop)
• Offers funding on a competitive basis to local partnerships in selected urban
communities to implement projects based on creative collaborative work models
with the goal advancing and achieving economic progress.
• The key is that the project be in direct response to a need or opportunity that the
community group has identified and deemed important.
• Primary funding priorities will be Early-Stage Strategy Development and Strategy
Implementation by an Existing Cross-Sector Consortium or Coalition.

Community Planning Grants (One Stop)
• Designed to provide communities funding for technical assistance for Community
Planning projects.
• The State does not publicly maintain more information on this grant.

Site Readiness Program (One Stop)
• Aims to increase the Commonwealth’s inventory of large, well-located, project-
ready sites; to accelerate private-sector investment in industrial and commercial
projects; and to support the conversion of abandoned sites and obsolete facilities
into clean, actively-used, tax-generating properties.
• Assistance available for activities like:
- Site Concept Plans – Including feasibility and planning studies in addition to
concept level master planning.
- Site Market Studies – Including broker consultation, market analysis, and
development of marketing materials.
Awards range from $50,000 - $1,000,000

Site Readiness Program Cont.
- Site Acquisition and Related Tasks – Including costs of property acquisition, title
analysis, surveying, and legal fess.
- Demolition
- Construction of Site-Related Upgrades
- Engineering Documents – Including design and pricing of on- and off-site access
and infrastructure improvements.
- Pre-permitting and Permitting – Including assistance in reviewing existing zoning,
permitting, or other regulatory issues. Includes studies related to specific site
issues including traffic, historic resources, rare species, utilities, etc.
- Pro-Forma Development
- Due Diligence

• Review Criteria
- Community support for industrial development (43D/Priority Development Area designation may serve as
an indicator).
- Consistency with the existing municipal master plan and/or regional plans.
- As-of-right zoning or an affirmative statement from municipality to seek as-of-right zoning.
- Regional impact and regional appropriateness.
- Property size and scale of development (The program is targeting a minimum of 50,000 SF of developable
space).
- Potential level of private investment on the site.
- Benefits enabled (including new permanent and construction jobs created).
- Site access (proximity to highways and/or rail).
- Appropriateness of location (including proximity to housing and known off-site impacts).
- Marketability of the site (active interest a plus).
- Availability of matching funds from landowner and/or local contribution.

• Grant Terms and Conditions: Grantees will be required to execute a standard grant
agreement. The agreement provides that in most instances, the Commonwealth
will be repaid from any net land sale proceeds, long-term lease revenue, or
refinancing proceeds. If a grant does not result in new revenues, there is no
repayment obligation.

Underutilized Properties Program (One Stop)
• Funds “projects that will improve, rehabilitate or redevelop blighted, abandoned,
vacant or underutilized properties to achieve the public purposes of eliminating
blight, increasing housing production, supporting economic development projects,
increasing the number of commercial buildings accessible to persons with
disabilities.”
• All applications must include a letter of support from the municipality clearly
articulating the proposed funding’s public purpose/benefit.
Awards range from $50,000 - $2,000,000

Underutilized Properties Program Cont.
• Grant funds may be used for capital improvements that are essential to the
occupancy or increased occupancy of existing structures. Such improvements may
address building stabilization, roof repair, HVAC system improvements (provided
that they are fully integrated elements of a building structure or site), tenant
improvements and fit-out expenses, and other similar purposes.
• Grants may also be used to engage the services of architects, engineers, landscape
architects, and other related professionals to assess building conditions and to
develop design and construction documents…

Underutilized Properties Program Cont.
• Review Criteria:
- Eligibility
- Public Purpose
- Capacity and Readiness
- Project Benefits
- Financial Need
- Diversity

Economic Development Incentive Program
• Tax cuts for businesses that ‘help their local economy.’ Could be useful to help a
private sector partner acquire the tax cuts.
• Must submit a letter of intent to the municipality of interest and the municipality’s
Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) Regional Director.
• Must submit a preliminary application by the posted deadline to be considered at
the corresponding Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) meeting.

Relevant MA OneStop+ Programs
• The following programs have recently been administered through competitions
wherein applicants file a single application to have their project funded:
- Low Income Housing Tax Credits
- HOME Investment Partnerships Program
- Affordable Housing Trust Fund
- Housing Stabilization Fund
- Capital Improvement & Preservation Trust Fund
- Housing Innovations Fund
- Commercial Area Transit Node Housing Program
- Affordable Housing Preservation and Development Fund
Applications are currently closed.
Future competitions will be publicized
through a Notice of Funding.

Low Income Housing Tax Credits (OneStop+)
• Both for-profit and non-profit developers can qualify for the credit.
• At least 20% of the units must be reserved for persons with incomes at/or
below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) adjusted for family size; or
at least 40% of the units must be made affordable for persons with incomes
at/or below 60% of the AMI adjusted for family size. Plus, 10% of the total
units must be reserved for persons or families earning less than 30% of the
AMI. Additionally, the project must be retained as low-income housing for
at least 30 years.
• Tax credits can be used to support the acquisition and/or rehabilitation of
existing structures for rental use, including distressed or failed properties, or
the new construction of rental projects.
• The maximum tax credit award for a new assisted living project is
$500,000. The maximum for any other project is $1,000,000 (Except for
case-by case requests with large scale neighborhood impact.)

Low Income Housing Tax Credits Cont.
• Selection Criteria:
- Conformance with Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) funding priorities.
- Strength of overall concept
- Strength of development team
- Demonstrated need for project in the target neighborhood
- Suitable site and design
- Appropriate scope of rehabilitation or construction
- Appropriate total development cost for properties included in proposal
- Financial viability of the project
- Degree of local support, including local funding commitments
- Evidence of readiness to proceed
- Evidence of satisfactory progress on projects previously funded with DHCD resources
- Incorporation of sustainable development

HOME Investment Partnerships Program (OneStop+)
• Provides funding to for-profit and non-profit developers for affordable rental
housing production and rehabilitation.
• Projects seeking HOME funds must have a minimum of 5 HOME-assisted units.
• All units receiving HOME assistance must be occupied by households earning no
more than 60% of AMI.
• At least 20% of the HOME units must be affordable to households earning no
more than 50% of AMI.
In general, DHCD HOME awards are structured as loans with 0% interest.
HOME loans to projects receiving Low Income Housing Tax Credits are made at
the applicable federal rate. All HOME loans are non-recourse and secured by a
mortgage on the property.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program Cont.
• In general, $750,000 to $1,000,000 is the maximum amount available per project;
$50,000 to $75,000 is the maximum amount available per affordable unit in
HOME entitlement/consortium communities (A project located in a HOME
entitlement/consortium community must include a matching commitment of local
funds.)
• In non-entitlement or non-consortium communities, the maximum amount
available per affordable unit is $65,000 to $90,000 up to the per project maximum.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program Cont.
- Incorporation of smart growth, fair housing, and sustainable development principles

Affordable Housing Trust Fund (OneStop+)
• The State does not maintain up to date information on this program, but it is
available to non-profit organizations.

Housing Stabilization Fund (OneStop+)
• Funds for municipalities, for-profit, and non-profit developers to support
affordable rental housing production and rehab.
• All units receiving HSF assistance must be occupied by households with incomes
no greater than 80% of the AMI during the first 40 years.
• During years 41-50, HSF assisted units may be occupied by households with
incomes no greater than 100% of AMI.
• Developers are permitted to charge up to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit
rents in HSF units only upon initial rent-up and upon unit turnover.
In general, HSF monies are structured as a 50-year deferred payment
loan at 0% interest. Projects also receiving Low Income Housing Tax
Credits may be structured with a higher interest rate. All HSF loans are
non-recourse and secured by a mortgage on the property.

Housing Stabilization Funds Cont.
• DHCD will award the lesser of $1,000,000 per project and up to $50,000 per HSF-
assisted unit in HOME entitlement/consortium communities (Projects located in
HOME entitlement or consortium communities must include a matching
commitment of local funds).
• In non-entitlement or non-consortium communities, the maximum award is up to
$65,000 per HSF-assisted unit, up to a per project maximum of $1,000,000.

Housing Stabilization Funds Cont.
- Incorporation of sustainable development
- Certification in accordance with Executive Order 418

Housing Innovations Fund (OneStop+)
• Provides funding for the production and preservation of alternative forms of
affordable housing. Projects may include:
- Supportive housing for veterans
- Elders
- Single Person Occupancy (SPO) units
- Limited Equity Cooperatives
- Transitional and permanent housing for formerly homeless households
- Housing for survivors of domestic violence

Housing Innovations Fund Cont.
• At least 50% of the occupants of HIF-supported housing must be persons whose
incomes are at or below 80% of AMI. Additionally, at least 25% of occupants
must be persons whose incomes are at or below 30% of AMI.
• Loans are limited to not more than 50% of the total development costs, with a
maximum HIF loan of $1,000,000.
• In general, HIF monies are structured as a 30-year deferred payment loan at 0%
interest, with discretionary 10-year extensions.
• Loans are issued with a Use Restriction providing that the land will be used for the
purpose of providing alternative forms of rental and ownership housing for up to
99 years.

Commercial Area Transit Node
Housing Program (OneStop+)
• Funds may be used to finance the development of rental units located either
within a neighborhood commercial area, for projects with 25 units or less, or a
transit-oriented development located near a public transit node, for projects
with greater than 25 units.
• At least 50% of the units in a project receiving CATNHP financial support shall
be occupied by and affordable to households at or below 80% of the AMI. The
total amount of CATNHP funds requested per eligible project may not exceed
$1,000,000 or $50,000 per unit.
• CATNHP may also be used to finance a mixed-use development that includes
both residential housing units and commercial or retail space, including projects
which have residential units above commercial space. Commercial costs funded
with CATNHP funds shall not exceed the lesser of 25% of the total
development cost of the commercial portion of the project or $1,000,000.
CATNHP assistance will generally be provided
in the form of a 30-year deferred payment loan
at 0% interest.

Commercial Area Transit Node Housing Program Cont.
- Project location
- Evidence of local support
- Evidence of site control
- Evidence of zoning
- Identification of proposed financing and project feasibility
- Commitment to affordability
- Consistency with principles of sustainable development
- Good standing with DHCD

Affordable Housing Preservation and
Development Fund (OneStop+)
• The State does not have up to date information on this relatively new program, but
its funds were recently made available in a Winter 2021 competition.

Community Investment Tax Credit Program
• Provides State tax credits largely to certified Community Development
Corporations (CDC) which, in turn, provide these credits to donors in exchange
for qualified investments.
• May be useful to partner with a CDC and help them apply if they have not secured
credits from this program.
• Tax credits awarded to a CDC may be used to facilitate any authorized activity of
the CDC and implementation of its Community Investment Plan (CIP).
• Credits awards range from $50,000 - $250,000

Community Investment Tax Credit Program Cont.
• A CIP is an organizational business plan that details a CDC’s goals, outcomes,
strategies, and activities for a 3 - 5 year period and its financial plans for supporting its
strategy. The CIP will be valid, for CITC application purposes, for 3 years beginning
Jan. 1st of the year for which credits are applied. A CIP must be designed to engage local
residents and businesses to work together to undertake community development
programs, projects, and activities which develop and improve urban, rural, or suburban
communities in sustainable ways that create and expand economic opportunities for low
and moderate income households.

Community Investment Tax Credit Program Cont.
• CIP Scoring Criteria:
Section 1 - Community or Constituency (ies) to be served by the organization [5 points]
Section 2 - Involvement of community residents and stakeholders [20 points]
Section 3 - Plan goals [7 points]
Section 4 - Activities to be undertaken [7 points]
Section 5 - How success will be measured and/or evaluated [10 points]
Section 6 - Collaborative efforts to support implementation [12 points]
Section 7 - Integration of activities/consistency with community strategy and vision [7 points]
Section 8 - Financing strategy [20 points]
Section 9 - History and track record [12 points]
Community Investment Plan Total [100 points]

Commonwealth Places
• Appears to be a new program which continue into future years. A
‘GoFundMe/Kickstarter’ type program which tries to crowdfund projects with up
to $50,000 (if the communities median household income is less than 100% of the
state median household income) of matching funds from MassDevelopment if the
crowdfunding goal is reached within 60 days.
• Up to $25,000 of matching funds for projects in communities where the median
household income is between 100% and 120% of the state median household
income.

Commonwealth Places Cont.
• Projects must demonstrate that they will activate a new or underused space that is
open to and accessible by the public. The project must be a placemaking project
with the potential to catalyze economic impact. The project should be located in a
downtown or commercial area and enhance the public realm at the pedestrian
scale.
• Projects that provide permanent improvements (“Activate” a place for a period
exceeding 12 months) are eligible for up to $50,000 of matching funds. Projects
that provide temporary improvements (“Activate” a place for 1-11 months) are
eligible for awards between $5,000 - $15,000.

Commonwealth Places Cont.
• A project’s ability to catalyze economic development will be evaluated based on
potential to attract new users into the commercial district, test a market for new
businesses and uses, leverage additional private and/or public dollars for follow-
on investment, and shift perceptions or increase public awareness of the
commercial district.
• Project sponsors/applicants should conduct sufficient outreach and engagement
activities.
• In addition to the required letters of support from the municipality, preference will
be given to applications that include letters of support from local organizations
and/or community leaders.
• Selected projects must produce a professional-quality crowdfunding pitch video in
coordination with Patronicity (Videographer provided).

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
• Financing scheme to fund energy improvements on commercial and industrial
buildings, multifamily properties with 5 or more units, and buildings owned by
nonprofits.
• To finance improvements, a property owner agrees to a betterment assessment and
lien on their property, which repays the financing.
• Projected savings from the energy improvements must cover the cost of the
improvements in the allowed financing period…

Urban Agriculture Program
• Funding to promote strategies to address food insecurity and increase access to
fresh, local produce in urban neighborhoods with a high concentration of low-
moderate income residents.
• Urban agriculture encompasses wide variety of activities related to the growing of
plants and raising of animals for food including, but not limited to: production
techniques such as land-based outdoor and greenhouse cultivation, rooftop open
air and greenhouse production, hydroponics, aquaculture, aquaponics, beekeeping,
and egg-producing poultry.

Urban Agriculture Program Cont.
• Each project must represent long-term capital investments such as infrastructure
improvements, building upgrades, purchase of computer software and systems,
land procurement, or purchase of farm equipment. Projects will also foster youth
development, small business development, and job training directly related to
commercial urban farming.
• The program also seeks proposals from municipal agencies and non-profits for the
development of community gardens or infrastructure for existing urban
community gardens to implement climate change tools/infrastructure.

Urban Agriculture Program Cont.
• For all projects, other than land/property access, matching funds of 25% are
required for requests over $15,000.
• The program will provide grant award in the range of $5,000 - $15,000 for
commercial urban agriculture projects, $1,000 - $15,000 for community garden
projects.

Green Communities Designation and Grants
• Provides funding to qualified municipalities for energy efficiency and renewable
energy initiatives once designated as a Green Community.
• Boston is a designated Green Community, but has thus far spent its Green
Community Grants renovating municipal buildings.
• However, other cities have proven that this money could be spent to directly help
citizens such as by retrofitting commercial or residential buildings.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
& Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP)
• LIHEAP provides eligible households help to pay a portion of winter heating bills.
Eligibility is based on household size and the gross annual income of every household
member 18+. Household income cannot exceed 60% of State Median Income. Payment
for actual usage or fuel delivery are made directly to the heating vendor for primary
energy needs from Nov. 1st – April 30th except when the cost of heating is included in
the rent.
• WAP provides eligible households with full-scale home energy efficiency services.
Households eligible for LIHEAP are eligible for WAP. Additionally, households with a
member receiving TAFDC or SSI are categorically eligible.
• Could help Grove Hall residents apply for these programs.

City Funds Notes
1.) Boston seems to have a history of spending delegated funds either on its own
(municipal) property or its own agenda. A grassroots campaign to apply political
pressure is likely needed to redirect funds.
2.) Boston offers very few opportunities for entities to apply for funds.

Boston Green Links
• A citywide plan to connect people in every neighborhood to Boston’s greenway
network by installing new paths, bike facilities, and safer road crossings.
• Greenways are linear parks with paths that provide people with access to natural
environments close to where they live.
• Individuals/community groups that would like to connect their neighborhood to
the greenway network can submit Green Links project ideas to the City
(charlotte.fleetwood@boston.gov).

Grassroots and Open Space Development
• Supports the development of community gardens, urban farms, and other open
spaces. Provides grant funds, City-owned land, and technical assistance to
neighborhood groups and nonprofits that want to organize, develop, own, and
manage community gardens and open space in low and moderate income
neighborhoods.
• Currently offers funding of up to $100,000 per project. Funding is on a rolling
first-come, first-served basis.
• Applicants will work with the City and local communities to finalize and work on
proposals.

Boston Tax-Exempt Lease Program (TELP)
• A financing scheme similar to PACE but only offered to nonprofits. Goal is to
provide nonprofits even more affordable up-front financing for renewable energy
renovations that are paid for through energy cost savings.
• Nonprofit institutions are then allowed to retain all cost savings after the financing
for renovations is paid off.

Philanthropic Funds Notes
1.) Philanthropic organizations generally like to award grants to projects that already
have other funding commitments.
2.) Philanthropic grants tend to be small.
3.) Philanthropies tend to avoid multi-year commitments.
4.) Though perhaps not to the same extent as the State, philanthropies prefer to
donate to projects that are already well-developed and demonstrate community buy-
in.
5.) Philanthropies prefer to give to proposals that incorporate a methodological
system of performance evaluation.

Eastern Bank Foundation Community Grants
• Awarded to nonprofits on a rolling basis throughout the year to support programs,
projects, and events.
• The average community grant is $2,900. The maximum award is $10,000.
• Multi-year commitments not offered.
• Applications for events should be submitted at least 60 days before your earliest
print deadline.

Cabot Family Charitable Trust Grants
• Considers grant applications for general support, support for specific programs
and activities, and for capital campaigns.
• Awards range from $5,000 - $50,000 for a 1-year period. Multi-year commitments
are made in limited circumstances.
• Prefers to support services to individuals and groups not served adequately
through other programs/institutions.
• Prefers to promote productive cooperation between nonprofits and community
groups that work based on a community needs assessment.
• Prefers to fund new approaches to problems or adaptations to solutions proven
successful elsewhere.
• Applicants must begin by submitting a concept paper. Applications are due by
Feb. 1st or Sept. 1st. Applications for capital campaign support are due Feb 1st.

Foley Hoag Foundation Grants
• Concerned with inequality and allocates grants to projects across multiple fields
including arts, education, training and research, cultural activities, and social
services.
• Prefers to support community organizing and advocacy, civic
engagement/community empowerment, research, and collaborative efforts.
• Awards range from $5,000 - $10,000. Grants usually made for 1-year only. Next
application deadline is likely Oct. 1st.

The Herman and Frieda L. Miller Foundation Grants
• Supports organizing and advocacy for social justice. Supports work targeting the
most vulnerable such as those affected by homelessness, domestic violence,
immigration or refugee status, disability, addiction and mental illness, former
incarceration, old age, and/or those challenged in obtaining health services,
COVID-19 vaccines, and economic relief.
• Projects proposed must be experimental in outlook…
• New grants appear unavailable until 2022.

Horne Family Foundation Grants
• Funds efforts related to land and wildlife conservation, combatting climate
change, human services, and animal welfare.
• The foundation welcomes requests for general operating support, efforts designed
to increase organizational capacity,, and funds for specific program
initiatives/improvements.
• Does not accept requests for capital campaigns or expenditures relating to
construction and other infrastructure improvements.
• Grants range from $5,000 - $25,000 and applications are due March 31st and Sept.
30th. Sometimes offers funding for multiple years. Organizations that receive
funding for 2 years must take a 1-year hiatus before reapplying.

The Hyams Foundation Grants
• Prioritizes support for nonprofits that work in coalition with grassroots
organizations to address systemic (Economic, Racial, Social) problems.
• Supports applications with a systemic/structural analysis of the underlying causes
of racial/intersectional inequalities.
• Supports applications with a base-building strategy to challenge current power
dynamics.
• Supports applicants that promote leadership development and constituent
engagement of low-income communities of color.
• Supports applicants engaged in policy advocacy campaigns and connected to a
larger social movement ecosystem.
Does not specify the size
of awards offered.

Eversource Grants
• Offers Event Sponsorship grants averaging $2,500 which support community
organizations where goods or services are received as part of the event.
• Offers Charitable Grants ranging from $2,500 - $10,000.
• Offers Community Impact Grants ranging from $500 - $2,500.
• Grants offered to organizations focused on community wellness and basic human
needs; education, clean energy and environmental stewardship; diversity, equity,
and inclusion; and economic, community, and workforce development.
• Requests accepted on a rolling basis. Requests must be submitted at least 90 days
in advance of launching a program, project, or a print deadline for events.

Roy A Hunt Foundation Grants
• Supports community development initiatives related to programs, projects, facilities,
and public amenities. Multi-year grants offered on a selective basis.
• Grants for programs and projects range from $25,000 - $75,000.
• Grants for facilities and public amenities range from $50,000 - $250,000.
• Prioritizes proposals with clear and measurable objectives. Prioritizes proposals
seeking to expand economic opportunity for low-income and disadvantaged people
through workforce readiness and retention, entrepreneurship and business
development, wealth creation, asset development, and neighborhood revitalization.
• All proposals should closely connect with a neighborhood-approved vision or plan
and/or a regional economic development plan.
• Applications must begin by submitting a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Next LOIs can be
submitted between May 10 and June 30, 2021.

Santander Bank Grants
• Supports nonprofits focused on financial empowerment, small businesses and
entrepreneurship, and affordable housing and healthy neighborhoods. Does not
support endowments/capital campaigns.
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis from Jan. 2nd – Oct. 15th.
• Does not specify the size of grants offered.

Merck Family Fund Grants
• Supports, among other things, the promotion of energy efficiency & Carbon
Pricing as well as Urban Farming & Youth Leadership.
• Welcomes energy efficiency related proposals which advocate for residential and
commercial utility programs that result in measurable energy efficiencies;
demonstrate financing models that create affordable capital for investments in
efficiency, provide incentives or mandates that result in utility-based efficiency
programs; and engender bi-partisan study, design, and acceptance of carbon
pricing alternatives.
Awards have historically ranged from $10,000 -
$150,000. Applications must begin by submitting
an LOI. Unclear whether submissions are still
being accepted this year.

Merck Family Funds Grants Cont.
• Welcomes urban farming proposals which provide high quality leadership
development and employment for youth; support highly productive urban farming
projects and increase local access to fresh food; engage residents in food access
and food security issues in the community.
• The fund generally does not support capital campaigns, capital construction, the
purchase of equipment, or the acquisition of land.

The Boston Foundation Grants
• Supports nonprofits working on initiatives related to arts & culture; education;
health & wellness; neighborhood development & housing; jobs & economic
development; and nonprofits which situate themselves within a broader social
justice ecology.
• Offers general operating support grants ranging from $25,000 - $150,000 and
project support grants ranging from $25,000 - $100,000.
• All applications must begin with a conversation with a Strategy Leader

The Barr Foundation Grants
• Offer climate grants related clean energy, mobility, and climate resilience.
• Does not fund program-related investments and generally does not fund climate
projects. Also does not specify the size of grants which might be awarded.
• New partners must submit a LOI briefly describing their organization and the
funding opportunity they would like considered before attempting a full grant
application.

SVP Boston Grants
• Offers Capacity Building Grants which support early to mid-stage organizations that are
working to close the opportunity gap in the greater Boston area.
• SVP grantees receive $25,000 a year in general operating support, coupled with an
average of 450 hours of pro-bono consulting. Engagements are renewable for a total of
up to 3 years.
• Potential applicants must begin by submitting a LOI.
• Next Grant Cycle: Fall 2021.

Bank of America Grants
• Will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Economic Mobility focused on Needs
of Community with applications accepted between May 31 and June 25, 2021.
• Proposals should be related to housing development, minority homeownership
programs, pathways to stable housing or homeownership, sustainable
development, technical assistance for small businesses, economic development,
neighborhood revitalization, transit-oriented development, and environmental
efforts.
• Does not currently specify the size of grants to be awarded.

Wells Fargo Grants
• Supports nonprofits concerned with financial health, housing affordability, small
business growth, sustainability, and environmental justice.
• Supports proposals which measure and report on established outcomes-based
success metrics and that can forecast expected outcomes.
• Supports proposals which promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and leverage racial
equity/social justice and sustainability best practices and principles.
• Supports proposals which promote innovative and scalable solutions and
incorporate human capital and volunteerism opportunities.
• Potential applicants must email a LOI to a local or national contact before they can
submit a full application.

Nathan Cummings Foundation Grants
• Supports nonprofits addressing climate change and inequality.
• Must begin by submitting a LOI.
• Does not specify the size of grants which might be awarded.

Surdna Foundation Grants
• Makes grants to nonprofits working towards inclusive economies, sustainable
environments, and thriving cultures.
• New potential partners must begin by submitting a LOI. However, unsolicited
LOIs are currently not being accepted until an undesignated time during the
Summer of 2021.
• Does not specify the size of grants which may potentially be awarded.

Shumaker Family Foundation Grants
• Offers grants to nonprofits working towards environmental justice.
• Grants generally range from $10,000 - $40,000.
• Potential applicants must begin by submitting a LOI.
• Next opportunity to submit a LOI for an environmental justice grant will likely not
occur until the beginning of 2022.

Concluding Observations
• 1.) A funding package is unlikely to come together without launching a significant
grassroots campaign to achieve community buy-in and engagement.
• 2.) State and local funding decisions appear to be influenced by politics and
personal relationships (Does the Governor support racial justice/environmental
justice initiatives? Is your idea on the radar of local politicians and do you have a
personal relationship with local politicians?)
• 3.) Most funders across sectors want to fund well-developed and specific
proposals rather than abstract ideations.
• 4.) The biggest funds are essentially reserved for developers who have already
invested hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars to get a project off the
ground (Wealth and risk-taking behavior are inherent attributes of entities that win
big subsidies).
• 5.) The nature of politics suggests true environmental justice is unlikely to be
implemented by top-down means.

Green zone funding (4) (1)

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