Women’s Fund grant applications due May 15

SPRINGFIELD — The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts welcomes grant applications for its 2024 grant cycle and intends to award 10 to 15 grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.

Organizations with 501(c)3 status and those with fiscal sponsors are welcome to apply, and those serving women and girls as well as transgender and gender-diverse people in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties are encouraged to do so. Priority will be given to organizations aligning with race and gender equity, and the Women’s Fund’s strategic pillars — economic security, equality in positions of power and leadership, and freedom from gender-based violence.

The two-year unrestricted grants can be used for general operations or program support, and the Grantmaking Committee looks for grant proposals with a meaningful impact.

“We are excited to continue to fund the important work that is being done to support women, girls and gender-expansive people in our western Massachusetts communities,” Amihan Matias, senior director of community partnerships at the Women’s Fund, said in a statement. “We have diverse community members and residents from all four counties of western Massachusetts on our Grantmaking Committee. We are grateful for their valuable perspectives regarding the needs of their communities. It is so important to hear directly from communities.”

To apply, complete an online application. For the English application, visit bit.ly/3v58AX0; for the Spanish version, visit bit.ly/49RrvUf. Submit a brief, one-page letter of intent. The Women’s Fund also accepts video submissions or grant proposals written for other funders in place of the narrative portion of the written letter of intent. To have the application translated into a language other than English or Spanish, email Matias at amatias@mywomensfund.org.

Applications are due by midnight on May 15. The Grantmaking Committee will announce recipients on Aug. 30.

Biz-M-Power grants available

Biz-M-Power matching grants are available through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, with an application deadline of June 30. Eligible businesses can receive up to $20,000 when coupled with successful crowd-funding of $20,000.

To apply, a business must first be sponsored by an MGCC Small Business Technical Assistance Provider, such as the Franklin County Community Development Corporation. A virtual information session for interested business owners will be held Thursday, March 21, at 1 p.m. Register at bit.ly/4cnC6rs.

Those who are interested in applying for a Biz-M-Power grant but are not able to attend the information session can contact Franklin County CDC Business Advisor Consultant Jack Clemente at jack@citiesgateway.com.

April 23 event to provide resources for first-time homeowners

BOSTON — The office of state Sen. Paul Mark, working in association with MassHousing, will host a virtual event for first-time homeowners on April 23, from 6 to 6:45 p.m.

The event will be an informational session for first-time homeowners, providing resources and materials for next steps, mortgages and educational courses. To sign up, visit bit.ly/3xajZoM.

Agricultural Resource Fair set for April 12

WESTBOROUGH — The Department of Agricultural Resources is seeking qualified organizations that are interested in being vendors at the inaugural Agricultural Resource Fair on Friday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mass Wildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough.

The Agricultural Resource Fair is for nonprofit agricultural stakeholders and service providers that offer the Massachusetts farming community resource information on programs and services, including grants. State and federal agencies are also welcome. There is no fee to participate in the event, but selected vendors will be responsible for any costs associated with attendance and participation.

For more information and to submit a response, visit bit.ly/3TGJ3N8 and download the RFI file attachment “RFI- AGR-AgResourceFair-FY24.pdf.” Responses must be received by March 22, at 2 p.m.

With questions, contact Mary Jordan at mary.jordan@mass.gov or 617-459-8747.

League of Women Voters holding Legislative Coffee

GREENFIELD — The League of Women Voters of Franklin County will host a Legislative Coffee with state Rep. Natalie Blais, Sen. Jo Comerford and Rep. Susannah Whipps on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m. in the Greenfield Public Library’s Community Room.

“We always appreciate the opportunity to speak directly with our state lawmakers,” Marie Gauthier, president of the League of Women Voters of Franklin County, said in a statement. “Our Legislative Coffees are an opportunity for the public to make their voices heard on the issues that are important to them. We encourage everyone to attend and ask their questions.”

The event is free and refreshments will be provided.

The League of Women Voters of Franklin County is a nonpartisan grassroots political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, visit lwvma-franklincounty.org.