Berkshire First Five

April 24, 2023

Be the first each week to receive news about state and federal grant opportunities, training, webinars, and options for advocacy from Berkshire Funding Focus! Please share and encourage others to subscribe!

Federal Grants

The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program) is a new grant program to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work. Proposals for Community Charging and Fueling Grants are due by May 30, 2023.

State Grants

The Massachusetts Cultural Council is offering a new round of grants to support public projects, festivals, and/or activities between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Eligible projects must have a minimum of $2,500 in cash expenses, including the full cost of the project – there are no limits on overhead or indirect costs. The online application opens on April 25; proposals are due by June 8, 2023.

Training

How to Secure Matching Funds

Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires

Monday, May 1st from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m. via Zoom.

During this workshop, Alice Ruhnke, President of GrantStation will show you how to secure matching funds to increase your success in securing grant awards, helping you:

understand the definition of matching funds
identify ways to secure matches from cash or in-kind sources
find ways to demonstrate matching funds in your budget and budget narratives

Webinar

Practical Guidelines for Affordable Housing

Massachusetts Municipal Association

Tuesday, May 23rd from Noon to 1:15 p.m. via Zoom.

Housing experts will offer tools for responding to common questions and concerns raised about affordable housing and help communities move forward and navigate difficult conversations and common disruptors to community developments.

Grants and Equity Advocacy

The Massachusetts Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a briefing via Zoom to hear testimony on civil asset forfeiture and its business meeting on Friday, April 28th at 2:00 p.m. Meeting Link, password USCCR–MA. Click here for more information.

About Berkshire Funding Focus

Berkshire Funding Focus (BFF), a regional initiative housed at BRPC, supports Berkshire County towns, businesses, nonprofits, and schools seeking state and federal funds to aid with recovery and rebuilding efforts. Learn more here: www.berkshirefundingfocus.org.

Have questions? Contact Recovery Grant Specialist Karen Pelto. We look forward to helping you find opportunities and resources that are right for your municipality or school.

Berkshire Funding Focus