BOSTON — The Executive Office of Economic Development announced the opening of the third round of the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program, which will provide a total of $15 million in grant funds to develop, strengthen, and invest in community-led efforts to bring positive outcomes to communities that face historically disproportionate challenges to economic growth.  

 

"The Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program provides important resources to organizations to advance projects that help their neighborhoods and residents thrive,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “We are pleased to open this grant round and look forward to investing in the economic empowerment of communities across the state." 

 

This year, the grant program will shift to a multi-year procurement cycle and will accept applications for projects that run from early 2024 through June 2026. Initial contracts will extend through June 2024 and, subject to annual state budget appropriations and renewal eligibility, grantees will have the opportunity to receive up to two additional one-year contracts.  

 

This competitive grant program was developed to support communities with high rates of criminal justice system involvement, widespread poverty, and large groups of disadvantaged and underrepresented populations. Project categories include community-based workforce development, small business development, housing stabilization, community health improvement, high school dropout prevention, and community organizing and leadership development.  

 

First passed into law in December 2020, the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program involved the establishment of a Community Empowerment Board to inform application processes and criteria. As prescribed by law, the seven-member Community Empowerment Board consists of individuals who belong to demographic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented and have historically been at social and economic disadvantages.