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 Creative Experiences provides grants of $2,500 or $5,000 to organizations, creative businesses, government entities, and schools to fund festivals, projects, residencies, and other cultural activities in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Deadline: April 30, 2026.
The Conservation Alliance is now accepting inquiries from eligible nonprofit organizations to be considered for their Member Collective Grants. Tribes, and groups with fiscal sponsorship. Inquiries are due by April 10, 2026.
The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation offers Academic Enrichment Grants designed to develop in-class and extra-curricular programs that improve student learning. The Foundation considers proposals that foster understanding, deepen students’ knowledge, and provide opportunities to expand awareness of the world around them. The application closes April 15, 2026 or when they reach 200 submissions.
Cambridge Savings Charitable Foundation offers project support to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that serve low-to-moderate income residents in Middlesex, Suffolk, Essex, and Norfolk counties. Deadline: April 15, 2026.
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs grant opportunities:
- Landscape Partnership Grant for acquisition of property interests in large, unique, unfragmented conservation and working landscapes, in single or multiple parcels, by two or more entities acting in cooperation [including municipalities working through specific departments and non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations that have been formed for purposes related to land conservation and stewardship]. Deadline: April 23, 206 at 3pm.
- Land Conservation Assistance Grant Program – Obtain assistance preparing a grant application to permanently protect land; complete tasks that advance land protection transactions; develop or update a municipal Open Space and Recreation Plan; or plan for the development or renovation of a park. Applications will be reviewed, and grants awarded, on a rolling basis through April 30, 2026.
Vilcek Foundation invites grant applications from mission-driven nonprofit organizations that have a specific focus on supporting immigrants in the arts, sciences, education, or through the provision of social services. They invest in organizations that take a creative approach to putting their mission into action and prioritize the development of unique projects and operations that effectively achieve meaningful goals. The ideal grant recipient creates outputs, provides services, or serves populations in an innovative way that sets them apart from other organizations. Deadline: April 30, 2026.
The American Psychological Foundation’s Direct Action Visionary Grants seek to fund innovative interventions, based on psychological knowledge, that directly address pressing needs of communities. They are particularly interested in supporting communities and populations dealing with prejudice, bias, intolerance, and all forms of bigotry including racism, antisemitism, homophobia, and misogyny. Grants are up to $60,000. Deadline: April 30, 2026.
Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready Program provides business owners with courses, live coaching, networking, and $10,000 grants.
The Essex County Community Foundation’s Creative County Initiative Special Projects Grants offer up to $5,000 for individuals, nonprofits, and community groups launching NEW programs, events, or adding innovative elements to existing work. Not for ongoing operations. Deadline: Rolling.
Things to Attend
Join Mass Cultural Council on April 7, 2026 at the Boston Children’s Museum as we honor organizations participating in Card to Culture. Thanks to the 600+ participating organizations, three million free or steeply discounted admissions have been given to EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders across Massachusetts!
Register for a Mass Cultural Council regional grant celebration:
UMass Amherst’s Fine Arts Work Center is hosting Art for the Common Good, a statewide convening on arts, health, and well-being on April 10, 2026. This dynamic, free convening will bring together artists, healthcare practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders from across the Commonwealth. Explore how the arts are transforming the way we think about healing, strengthening communities, and advancing well-being. Pre-registration is required. 8:30am-4:30pm.
Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education’s 2026 ABLE Assembly: Arts Better the Lives of Everyone conference takes place April 10–12, 2026. The conference will provide resources and workshops for professionals in the field, including educators, arts educators, special educators, administrators, program leaders, and visiting artists. In-person and online attendance options are available.
Join Mass Cultural Council and the ArtStaysHere Coalition for the next Creative Space Development Network Accelerator (DNA) online discussion for those who are developing, operating, and advocating for a healthier creative space ecosystem across the state. April 24, 2026 at 12pm.
Disability Policy Consortium’s Accessible Boston Leadership & Engagement (ABLE) Lab runs from May 12 – June 23, 2026 with six sessions. This course will be in person from 5:30-7pm. Applicants must be Boston residents and have a connection to the disability community. Participants who come to a majority of sessions will receive a $250 stipend. Deadline: April 30, 2026.
Join DeafBlind dance instructor Kerry Thompson of Silent Rhythms for Salsa ASL by the Shell, a disability joy event with dancing and community outside on the Esplanade. May 2, 2026.
Register for Associated Industries of Massachusetts’ 2026 AIM Annual Meeting, bringing together hundreds of business leaders throughout the state for networking, conversation, and recognition of the leadership of our business community throughout the Commonwealth. May 7, 2026 from 11:00am – 1:30pm. Registration is required and spaces are limited. $200 for members and $500 for nonmembers. In-person, Hilton Boston Park Plaza.
AFTACON is being hosted in Albuquerque, NM from June 2-5, 2026. Join artists, administrators, and advocates from across the nation to learn, strategize, and mobilize at the Americans for the Arts’ annual national convention. Attendees explore innovative strategies, cross-sector partnerships, and the evolving role of the arts in community development, public policy, and social impact. Registration: $100.
Other
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston’s Star Store is now accepting requests for Creative Space. You can fill out either the Pop-Up and Temporary Activation Interest Form or indicate your interest in requesting space.
iHealth Labs is donating free COVID/flu test kits that are approaching their expiration date to schools, clinics and organizations so they can be used in communities that need them. $19.99 covers shipping and handling for one donation carton, and the tests expire at the end of May.
Partners for Public Good offers free, hands-on help with procurement and infrastructure challenges. 1:1 consultations are also available.
New England ADA Center has an ADA Checklist that will help identify barriers to accessibility in your indoor and outdoor facilities, and an ADA Action Guide to lead public entities through a process to compliance with the ADA.
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.