Grants
About the Biz M Power Crowdfunding Grant
The Biz-M-Power crowdfunding matching grant program offers small businesses in Massachusetts financial assistance with their acquisition, expansion, improvement or lease of a facility, purchase or lease of equipment, or with meeting other capital needs for the business. Eligible applicants will be empowered to advance their business with an innovative approach to obtaining capital. Through crowdfunding campaigns, these businesses connect with their local residents and stakeholders to advance projects that support economic success and transformation for their business and in their communities. This program is funded by the Commonwealth’s Operating Budget appropriated $7,500,000 for this program.
Preference shall be given to small businesses owned by low- to moderate-income individuals (LMI), women, minorities, immigrants, non-native English speakers, U.S. military veterans, disabled individuals, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and businesses operating in Massachusetts Gateway Cities.
About the Amber Grant / Deadline: May 31, 2023
WomensNet founded the “Amber Grant” in 1998. The grant was set up with one goal in mind: to honor the memory of a very special young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at just 19 years old — before realizing her business dreams.
Today, WomensNet carries on that tradition, proudly giving away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money. In recognition of the diversity of businesses owned by women, we’ve also expanded our grant-giving to include “Marketing Grants,” “Business Category Grants,” as well as two “$25,000 Year End Grants.”
How Do I Apply For an Amber Grant?
Applying is simple. Just take a few minutes to tell us about yourself and your business dream. No long, complicated forms to fill out. Submitting one application makes you instantly eligible for all grants related to your business. We announce the grant winners by the 23rd of the following month.
Events
Free Programs for Your Business that You Don’t Know About
Get answers to all your business questions at the iHub Haverhill Business Resource Expo!
Thursday, May 11 · 8:30 – 11:30am EDT
UMass Lowell Innovation Hub Haverhill 2 Merrimack Street Haverhill, MA 01830
Do you know if your business qualifies for tax incentives? Are you looking to hire good employees? Have you accessed resources available to women, minority, or veteran-owned business? Are you looking for capital to launch your business?
To make it easier for businesses to find answers to these and many other questions, the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub Haverhill has partnered with the Mass Office of Business Development, City of Haverhill, the Greater Haverhill Chamber and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission to host a business resource fair on May 11 at the iHub Haverhill.
Two dozen vendors representing state agencies, non-profits, lenders and other business support programs will be exhibiting and available to connect with businesses at all levels — from start up to large corporation.
Exhibitors will be available to support businesses on a range of issues including tax credits, hiring and training employees, energy efficiency resources, programs for women and minority owned businesses, capital and funding options, and much more.
The program will include guest speakers and networking. Event is free and registration is preferred.
VENDORS INCLUDE:
- Mass Office of Business Development
- Better Business Bureau
- Commonwealth Corporation
- Lawrence Partnership
- Greater Haverhill Chamber
- Mass Health Connector
- Mass Life Science Center
- Mass Hire / Rapid Response
- Mill Cities Community Investment
- Mass Development
- Mass Growth Capital Corporation
- Mass Small Business Development Center
- EforAll Merrimack Valley
- Forge
- UMass Lowell
- North Of Boston Convention and Visitor Bureau
- Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
- Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Small Business Administration
- SCORE
- Small Business Strong
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WHAT: Farmer Resource Fair 2023
WHEN: Friday, May 12, 11:00am-2:00pm
WHERE: New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, 733 Cabot Street, Beverly MA, 01915
SIGN-UP: Register Here
HOSTS: New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
CONTACT: jennifer.hashley@tufts.edu
Are you a beginning or small farmer in eastern MA? Do you need help registering your farm with the USDA Farm Service Agency? Do you want to accept Senior Farmers Market Nutrition and WIC Coupons at your local farmers market? What about SNAP and HIP? Do you have questions for Extension or MDAR representatives?
This unique event will bring together essential farm service providers so you can get all your questions answered and register for programs right on the spot!
We encourage you to schedule an appointment in advance with the vendors for personal 1:1 support in the application process. We will email you in advance to let you know what documents to bring to your appointment.
What service providers will be attending?
• USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
• USDA Food and Nutrition Service
• USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS)
• Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
• Massachusetts Agriculture Innovation Center
• Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP)
• UMASS Extension Ag Programs and Services
• Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)
• The Carrot Project
• Farm Credit East
• Green Beverly
• Greenbelt Essex County’s Land Trust
• Land for Good
• Tufts Pollinator Initiative
• New Entry Food Hub
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WHAT: First Annual 2023 Financial Summit
WHEN: May 18, 9:00am-2:30pm
WHERE: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 600 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02210
SIGN-UP: https://web.cvent.com/event/6994e772-04e0-4af8-acbe-d4e2261b4037/summary
HOSTS: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council
The event will equip small business entrepreneurs with the tools to identify best practices for business growth and financial prosperity.
- Presentations from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on the local and national economy, procurement challenges faced by small businesses, and wealth inequalities
- Panel discussions on the best ways to acquire financing for your business and the future outlook for small businesses
- Networking luncheon with peers and more!
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QUE: Seminario: Ténicas para Fijar los Precios de su Negocio
CUANDO: Mayo 23, 24, and 31 (ver tiempos abajo)
DONDE: en línea
INSCRIBIRSE: Haga clic aquí para registrarte
ANFITRIONAS: Amplify Latinx
CONTACTO: Tomás Gonzalez – tomas@amplifylatinx.com
¿Te preocupa fijar precios demasiado altos y perder clientes, o demasiado bajos y no cubrir tus costos? Te ayudamos a encontrar el equilibrio perfecto.
El precio es uno de los factores más importantes que influyen en la rentabilidad de tu negocio. Aprende cómo fijar precios que te permitan alcanzar tus objetivos financieros en nuestro taller especializado sobre técnicas para fijar los precios de su negocio
Taller Virtual de Tres Sesiones:
Mayo 23 | 6-8:30pm
Mayo 24 | 6-8:30pm
Mayo 31 | 5:30-8:30pm
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WHAT: AA & NHPI Business Connectivity Summit
WHEN: Wednesday, May 31 · 9am – 12pm
WHERE: The Tip O’Neill Federal Building – 1st FLOOR AUDITORIUM
10 Causeway Street Boston, MA 02222
SIGN-UP: Click Here
HOSTS: Asian Business Empowerment Council
Happy AANHPI Heritage Month! ABEC is co-hosting an event on May 31st to connect businesses to resources, featuring two panels, networking, tabling, and free food!
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WHAT: Inner City Capital Connections program (ICCC) Boston Cohort
WHEN: Tuesday, June 6th
WHERE: Roxbury Community College Student Center
SIGN-UP: Interested Business Owners can apply at: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7223639/2023-ICCC-Application-Form
HOSTS: Initiative for a Competitive Inner City
FLYER: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hJw97J49oh–laBL3mCW5VP6RuMXmkFN/view
Community Partners can nominate Business Owners in their networks at: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7223705/2023-ICCC-Nomination-Form
CONTACT: Sam Figueroa, Senior Program Coordinator, sfigueroa@icic.org or 617 – 238 – 3047
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is happy to share the ICCC program is returning to Boston for the 9th time in 2023, Massachusetts is home to 521 ICCC alumni. The ICCC Boston program is a tuition free small business development program which will begin with an Opening Seminar Series taking place on Tuesday, June 6th at Roxbury Community College. The primary focus of ICCC is engaging BIPOC and women-owned businesses to build their capacity for growth, address issues challenging their ability to access capital and to achieve sustainable growth. The program includes seminars lead by top flight business professors, one-on-one business coaching, webinars & digital online learning, and an annual conference.
Community partners are encouraged to get involved by identifying small business owners in your network to nominate for the ICCC program, I am linking here to the ICCC Nominator Process Packet , which outlines the ways to get involved, nomination process, and FAQs.
In addition, see ICCC’s Nominator Media Kit for sample language to share with nominees and for your email newsletters, along with shareable graphics and posts! For questions or to connect please reach out to Sam Figueroa at sfigueroa@icic.org or 617 – 238 – 3047.