EOED FY27 Social Enterprise Operating Grant Program RFP

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is pleased to issue this Request for Proposals for the new Social Enterprise Operating Grant Program. This grant is funded through the FY27 state operating budget. This competitive grant program supports eligible Massachusetts nonprofit organizations that operate social enterprises and provide paid employment, workforce development, and supportive services to individuals who face significant barriers to employment.

This grant program is designed to strengthen employment social enterprises that sell goods or services while creating equitable access to paid work, skill development, supportive services, and pathways to longer-term employment. The program will prioritize applicants serving low-income communities, Gateway Cities, and populations facing social and economic inequities.

**Maximum Grant Award:** Up to **$200,000** per organization.

Grant funds may be used to support one or more of the following activities that directly strengthen the operations, growth, and long-term sustainability of an eligible employment social enterprise.

• Marketing and Customer Acquisition: Grant funds may be used for marketing and promotional activities specifically intended to attract new customers and increase sales of the goods or services offered by the social enterprise. Eligible activities may include advertising, digital marketing, development of promotional materials, and other outreach efforts designed to generate new business.
• Purchase of Materials for Goods or Services: Grant funds may be used to purchase raw materials, supplies, or other consumable materials directly necessary for the social enterprise to produce goods or deliver services for sale to customers.
• Staff Training and Professional Development: Grant funds may be used to provide training and professional development to staff responsible for operating and supervising the social enterprise, with particular emphasis on employees who directly manage or supervise social enterprise participants facing significant barriers to employment.

Grant funds may not be used for fundraising activities, including soliciting charitable donations, attracting philanthropic support, or promoting fundraising events. Grant funding is not intended to support out-of-state travel.

Grantees will be required to submit quarterly progress and financial reports in a format provided by EOED.

**Submission Method:** Online application through Submittable.

A complete proposal must include:

• Online eligibility screening via Submittable
• Completed application in Submittable, including all required fields
• Most recent audited financial statement

Applications will be scored on a 100-point scale. Applications will undergo an initial eligibility review on a pass/fail basis. Only applicants that meet all requirements will advance to the competitive evaluation process.

Half of the grant award will be paid as working capital at the time of contract execution. Remaining grant funding will be paid on a quarterly cost-reimbursement basis upon demonstration of eligible costs incurred exceeding the amount of the original working capital.

**Grant Performance Period:** March 1, 2027 (or contract effective date, if earlier) - June 30, 2027. Funds must be expended no later than **30 June 2027**.