Grants
Rock Solid Grant Program - Applications Closed
Grant applications for the Rock Solid Fund are now closed. Thank you to the Nantucket businesses who applied. We will be reviewing the applications during the month of March and plan to inform applicants of the decisions in early April. Please note that with so many great applications, we are not able to fund everyone. Thank you.
The Rock Solid Fund, administered by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce provides grants to Nantucket-based small businesses to ensure their contribution toward a strong island economy. Ideally applicants will use funds to execute an innovative project to ensure the growth and economic stability of their own business while creating a positive role model for others in the entrepreneurial community.
For more information about our grants, please email grants@nantucketchamber.org
General Qualification Criteria
- The current or proposed business must be for-profit, with primary operations on Nantucket.
- If the application is for an existing business, it must have generated revenue and profit in the previous calendar year.
- If the application is for a new business, there must be a well-developed business plan for producing revenue in the current calendar year.
- Businesses that have received prior grants are eligible, although priority will be given to those who have not already benefited from this grant program.
Application Process and Timeline
- Thursday, February 1: Application process opens.
- Thursday, February 29: Grant applications are due by 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 29: Applicants will be notified if they are receiving an award
Use of Grant Proceeds
Grant proceeds must be used for a specific project that will significantly increase the likelihood a new business will launch successfully, or an existing business will grow. Some examples of projects that would be strong contenders for this program include:
- Upgrading point of purchase or inventory management technology/systems;
- Establishment of new points of sale such as e-commerce, or new services such as off-premise consumption;
- Purchase of equipment that will enable more efficient manufacturing/production;
- Purchase of equipment or technology, or other innovative ways to offset seasonal staffing challenges;
- Innovations that reduce the businesses reliance on goods/products that contribute to island waste;
- Critical startup needs such as legal entity selection and filings, patents/IP protection, accounting setup, corporate website development, or target market research;
- Market research and prototyping of a new product/service;
- Tuition assistance for professional development and training programs to enhance business operations;
- Participation expenses to attend tradeshows or national competitions that will raise visibility for the business’s products/services beyond Nantucket.
Grants may not be used for:
- Paying off existing debt or projects initiated prior to this grant cycle.
- Deposits for property lease or purchase.
- Standard operating expenses such as payroll, rent, utilities, basic goods/services/supplies.
- Standard advertising and marketing initiatives.
Important Information
Rock Solid grant funds will not be awarded to the grant recipient until an approved project plan, expense reimbursement form, and supporting purchase orders or receipts are submitted. Funds are not distributed in advance. Unused grant funds will be retained by the Rock Solid Fund and used for future rounds.
Three Past Recipients of the Rock Solid Grant: Sushi Sean, ACK Gift Bags, Supple Sirens
FY25 Destination Development Capital Grants
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The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) is committed to helping communities contribute to the long-term strength and sustainability of the Commonwealth. The FY25 Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grant Program is a competitive grant program that will award funds to improve facilities and destinations visited by in state and out-of-state travelers, with the goals of increasing visitation, enticing repeat visitation, and increasing the direct and indirect economic impacts of the tourism industry in all regions of the commonwealth.
Eligible projects will enhance tourism resources and infrastructure and will aid in destination resiliency. Applications will be accepted for projects that include plans to expand, construct, restore or renovate Massachusetts tourism destinations and attractions. Applicants must demonstrate how the tourism capital project will work to promote the tourism goals of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and the corresponding Regional Tourism Council. The DDC grant is focused on capital improvements with a direct relationship to tourism, and other physical/structural items with a greater than five-year lifespan. In accordance with the ResilientMass Plan, projects that include elements intended to increase the climate resilience of a tourism destination or attraction will receive consideration in the review process. Projects with a presence in a Designated Cultural District, locations within rural communities, and nexus with commemorations of the 250th anniversary of American Independence may receive priority consideration.
Operating Grants for Organizations
Operating Grants for Organizations will provide multi-year, unrestricted operating grants to nonprofit organizations that enrich Massachusetts’ cultural life. These grants will work to strengthen a cultural sector that generates $1.2 billion in economic activity, creates thousands of jobs, and delivers programs to more than 20 million people a year.
Festivals & Projects
Culture elevates the quality of life and well-being of communities across Massachusetts. Through Festivals & Projects we support efforts that celebrate our vibrant cultural landscape. These $2,500 grants to organizations fund public activities that incorporate the arts, humanities, or sciences.
Community Foundation for Nantucket
NANTUCKET FUND GRANTS APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
Nantucket Fund grants are available to organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status, municipalities, or religious organizations that deliver programs and services to Nantucket residents.
The Nantucket Fund is the Community Foundation’s unrestricted funding source that provides community grants to the Island’s most critical needs and initiatives.