Miranda Cook, Program Officer
MassDevelopment recently published the 2025 Annual Report for the Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF), celebrating the $9.1 million awarded toward the maintenance and development of cultural buildings in Massachusetts.
A total of 91 grants were made to nonprofit cultural organizations, colleges and municipalities that own or operate cultural facilities last year. Grant recipients included theaters, museums, galleries, nature centers, libraries, makerspaces, and many others from across the state.
“This grant allowed our organization to continue our mission through the ability to operate without interruption,” said Lenny McGuire, Board President of Worcester County Light Opera Club. “Our facility had a roof that was dilapidated, presenting multiple issues with rain leaking and increased fuel cost in the winter. We are grateful for the funding through CFF. Otherwise, it would have taken a few years to raise the capital on our own.”
CFF’s capital and planning grants can be used to support feasibility studies and analysis, repairs, renovations, new construction, acquisition, and the installation of fixed equipment.
“The Cultural Facilities Fund is critically important as an ongoing resource because it provides stable, dedicated funding for capital improvements that can be challenging for small nonprofits like Roots Rising to secure for their projects,” said Erin Kaplan, Development Director at Roots Rising in Pittsfield. “This investment strengthens the physical and operational capacity of these organizations, allowing them to better serve their communities and sustain their programs for the long term.”
Check out the 2025 Annual Report to view the full project list and learn more.
This grant program, typically funded through the Commonwealth’s Capital Spending Plan, is jointly administered by two state agencies: Mass Cultural Council and MassDevelopment.