The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is introducing a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Support Program in climate critical fields.
Donor Name: Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC)
State: Massachusetts
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/29/2022
Size of the Grant: $1,000,000
Grant Duration: 3 years
Details:
The program is an overarching initiative aimed at the exploration, development, innovative support, and training opportunities for Massachusetts-based MWBE companies. This solicitation aims to support the entry, creation, and expansion of MWBEs into fields that are critical to meeting the Commonwealth’s ambitious climate goals of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Goals
Funding in this RFP is intended to support Minority and Women-Owned Businesses Enterprises and the creation of MWBEsin Massachusetts for the following goals:
- Increase MWBE business activity in climate critical business fields,
- Increase expertise of MWBE’sin climate critical business fields,
- Grow employment and revenue of existing MWBEsthat operate in climate critical business fields and continue long-term growth strategies
- Create new MWBE firms in climate critical fields and support the healthy long-term growth of those firms
- Tie together relevant existing support for small businesses and fill gaps in support for MWBEs focusing on climate critical business fields
The program includes:
- Stakeholder outreach and workshops
- MWBE support for planning and implementation grants
Funding Information
MassCEC anticipates awarding four (4) to five (5) MWBE Support Implementation grants of up to One Million Dollars($1,000,000). All awarded to support initiatives must be completed within three (3) years of the grant award and should budget for a year of monitoring and metrics tracking after the proposed project is complete.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations or a partnership/team are eligible to apply and are collectively termed “Applicants.” If there are multiple parties that are jointly applying, one party should take on the role of leading the application team (“Lead Applicant”). If a single organization or individual is applying for this opportunity, that organization or individual would also be the Lead Applicant. The Lead Applicant will sign a contract similar to Attachment 3, contract with MassCEC (if selected), and receive funds from MassCEC. The following entities are eligible to serve as a Lead Applicant with the following conditions:
- Non-profit organizations including Chamber of Commerce organizations, trade associations, clean energy incubators/accelerators
- Academic institutions with a business support program
- For-profit entities such as clean energy installers, energy efficiency, home performance contractors, technical or workforce training organizations, financial institutions, or other clean energy practitioners. Note: For-profit entities must partner with at least one non-profit entity.
- Any Applicants may choose to form additional partnerships beyond what is required above.
Additional eligibility notes
- Lead Applicants must have a Massachusetts office or staffing.
- Applicants are not required to have experience in clean energy or climate-critical business fields.
- Grant awardees for 2022 MWBE Support Planning Grants are eligible to apply for future Implementation Grants (rounds will be offered every six (6) months until funds are all awarded) after receiving a $50,000 Support Planning Grant and better defining an implementation plan and proposed scope of work.
For more information, visit Women and Minority Owned Business Enterprise Support Grants.
