Mass Cultural Council Staff
Each month Mass Cultural Council shares a round-up of grants, trainings, technical assistance resources, and opportunities for cultural organizations (a companion to our Useful Links page). This list is not meant to be exhaustive but a glimpse of what is on offer in the coming weeks. (We also publish a weekly Artist Opportunities listing.)
Funding
Mass Cultural Council’s YouthReach application opens on February 5, 2026. Grants are awarded to Creative Youth Development programs that integrate substantive and ongoing arts, humanities, and science opportunities into a collaborative community response. Deadline: April 2, 2026.
The Mabel Louise Riley Foundation invests in low-income children, youth, and families through impactful programs in education, human services, and neighborhood revitalization. One-year grants typically range from $50,000–$100,000. Deadline: February 10, 2026.
Inspired by The Boston Foundation’s Making Waves report, the Asian Community Fund is launching a pilot grant program, Narrative Change Grants, to invest in arts and culture projects that elevate AANHPI voices and foster visibility and belonging. Deadline: February 11, 2026.
Get funding for your heritage project with the Essex Heritage’s 2026 Partnership Grant Program. Grants of $2,000 available. Deadline: February 16, 2026
The Paul and Edith Babson Foundation’s competitive grants program supports initiatives in entrepreneurship and economic development, environment and community building, and violence reduction. Grants typically range from $5,000–$10,000. Deadline: February 21, 2026.
Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s Discretionary Grants Program supports initiatives that improve quality of life across of their 21 communities, including Lowell, Concord, Bedford, and surrounding towns. Deadline: March 2, 2026.
Lee Bank Foundation offers grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits advancing programs that reduce opportunity and wealth gaps for youth and families in Berkshire County, with a focus on education, food security, economic development, health and human services, and workforce pathways. Deadline: March 2, 2026.
Commonwealth Corporation (CommCorp) is a quasi-public state agency responsible for administering and delivering a wide range of publicly and and privately funded programs. They ensure that Massachusetts businesses have access to a pipeline of highly skilled workers and that youth and adults in Massachusetts have pathways to good jobs in the knowledge economy. They have a few opportunities currently open or opening soon:
- The Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF) supports partnerships between employers, training providers, and other organizations to create a “pipeline” of workers in a wide range of sectors. Deadline: March 9, 2026.
- The Workforce Training Fund Program is for small to medium-sized businesses that help support business productivity and competitiveness. It provides rapid resources to fund training for current employees in a range of skills.
Learn more about CommCorp and these programs by watching a recent Spotlight Series webinar. Slide deck.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services has numerous upcoming deadlines – all with deadlines on March 13, 2026:
Things to Attend
Save the date: MASSCreative’s next Creative Sector Advocacy Week is coming to your region the week of March 2-6, 2026, with Creative Sector Day at the State House scheduled for March 3, 2026.
Boston Public Library is hosting a Grant Confidence Clinic with Donna Lubrano on February 9, 2026. Appointments are limited to one 30-minute session per person, per month.
The International Association of Accessibility Professionals hosts How to Build Accessible Digital Tools -Together with Vijay Mathew, for accessibility professionals, procurement officers, organizational leaders, and people who think of software as public good and a human right. $39 fee. February 11, 2026 at 11am.
Register for MassCreative’s How Nonprofits Can (and Can’t) Lobby and Advocate, a webinar designed for nonprofit leaders to better understand what they can and can’t legally do when it comes to lobbying and advocacy, so that they can take on greater leadership roles within the sector. February 12, 2026 at 12pm.
Join a Mass Cultural Council Spring 2026 Grant Celebration:
- March 9, 2026 – Northeastern MA, Abbot Public Library in Marblehead at 1pm
Project for Public Spaces is hosting An Introduction to Inclusive & Equitable Community Engagement, an online training led by Connect the Dots on March 17 and 19, 2026, to teach you how to connect public voices to decision-making processes. Early registration is open and a scholarship opportunity is available.
Other
Nonprofit Practice’s Core Certificate Program equips nonprofit, public, and social impact leaders with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to make strategic, mission-driven decisions and effect meaningful change at their organizations. Priority applications for their Fall 2026-Spring 2027 cohort are being accepted through March 30, 2026.
Nonprofit Practice’s RISE Program is for those passionate about advancing equity (with approximately five or fewer years of professional experience) to gain an understanding of how social impact organizations function, develop essential leadership skills, engage in networking, and propel their careers. Priority applications for the Fall 2026 cohort are being accepted through March 30, 2026.
Host a Youth Intern: Partners for Youth with Disabilities provides young people with meaningful, real-world work experience in a supportive and inclusive environment. Their internships help students develop essential workplace skills, like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professionalism, while giving them exposure to workplace culture, policies, and expectations. As a business partner, you’ll receive guidance and ongoing support from PYD staff. Hosting an intern is flexible, fully supported, and at no cost to your organization. Deadline: Rolling.
Read Previous Months’ Listings
If you have an opportunity or resource for cultural organizations that you’d like to pitch for our monthly round-up, please email us. Efforts to submit the opportunity in a format similar to our standard (see listings above) are deeply appreciated. Because space is limited, the best submissions are 60 words or fewer and include links to web pages with more information.