
The Challenge: Overcome Barriers Facing MWBEs Entering and Growing in the Clean Energy Sector
New and expanding Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs) are crucial to meeting the Commonwealth’s climate goals. These businesses put climate solutions into practice, foster environments that attract and support a diversified workforce, and pave the way to an equitable energy transition for environmental justice communities. Unfortunately, most MWBEs face barriers to entry and growth. Regardless of sector, MWBEs are denied access to capital at a much higher rate, face selection bias for projects, and often start with less personal wealth and social capital—all of which exacerbate the challenges that all businesses face during their start-up and early growth phases.
About MWBE Support Grants
MWBE Support Grants provide up to $1,000,000 across three years in grant funds and technical support to organizations that address the barriers faced by MWBEs in the clean energy sector and provide MWBEs with the skills and resources to thrive. Grantees develop or expand programs that provide support to existing MWBEs entering the clean energy sector and/or assist in the creation of new MWBEs in the sector. This funding is not intended to benefit a single MWBE. Successful applicants will propose projects that address barriers faced by MWBEs, tackle both supply and demand needs, provide comprehensive wraparound services for individuals participating in their programs, leverage existing support systems, and propose robust partnerships.
Funding Schedule
MWBE Support Grants are released on an annual basis. Applicants not currently ready for implementation should consider applying for a Capacity and Planning Grant to prepare for the next round of MWBE Support funding.
Process Step |
Timing |
---|---|
RFP Release |
December 28, 2022 |
Questions Due to MassCEC via workforce@masscec.com |
Rolling, through February 20, 2023 |
Questions with Answers Posted to MassCEC Website |
Updated monthly on 2nd Tuesday through February 21, 2023 |
Pre-Application Webinar |
Jan 12, 2023, at 1 pm |
Pre-Application Office Hours |
Jan 31, 2023, at 12 noon Feb 9, 2023 at 5:30 pm Feb 13, 2023 at 12 noon Feb 17, 2023 at 12 noon Feb 23, 2023 at 5:30 pm Feb 27, 2023 at 12 noon Feb 28, 2023 at 12 noon |
Proposals Due |
March 10, 2023, by 11:59 pm |
Interviews of Applicants (as needed) |
TBD |
Notification of Award |
May 2023 |
Who's Eligible
Single organizations or partnerships are eligible to apply. If multiple parties apply jointly, one party should take on the role of Lead Applicant. The following entities are eligible to serve as a Lead Applicant:
- Non-profit organizations including Chamber of Commerce organizations, trade associations, clean energy incubators/accelerators, environmental justice organizations, and organizations representing tribes
- Academic institutions with a business support program
- For-profit entities such as clean energy installers, energy efficiency, or home performance contractors, technical or workforce training organizations, financial institutions or other clean energy practitioners
Additional eligibility requirements:
- Lead Applicant must have a Massachusetts office or staffing.
- Applicants are not required to have experience in clean energy or climate-critical business fields.
- This funding is not intended to benefit a single MWBE, but instead is intended to support an organization that can help several different MWBEs grow and excel in climate-critical business sectors.
Apply
Application Process
- Review the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise Support Grant Request For Proposals (RFP).
- Review all RFP forms and attachments.
- Attend MassCEC informational webinar and/or use other informational resources offered.
- Contact MassCEC with questions or to discuss your ideas at workforce@masscec.com.
- Complete all RFP forms and attachments according to instructions.
- Submit all completed RFP forms and attachments by email to workforce@masscec.com by 11:59 pm on March 10, 2023, with "MWBE Support Grant Application" in the subject line.
For full Program details, please refer to the RFP.
Application Materials
Pre-Application Office Hours
Join our drop-in office hours to discuss your proposals and network with other applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs were last updated on December 28, 2022.
Questions are accepted on a rolling basis until February 20, 2023. Answers will be posted on the second Tuesday of each month. Submit questions to workforce@masscec.com.
Other Resources
MassCEC will look favorably on applications that propose data-driven approaches and leverage pre-existing resources from the robust workforce development and clean energy sectors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Applicants are advised to use the following and additional resources to inform their applications:
Labor Statistics
Clean Energy Sector

Small Business Enterprises/MWBEs
Networking
MassCEC is compiling a list of potential applicants interested in networking and partnerships for the open Workforce Equity grants. View the list here.
Sign up to the partnership list by sending your contact name, contact info, type of organization, and focus sector to workforce@masscec.com.