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The E-Contractor Academy Grant Program provides grant opportunities to graduates of the E-Contractor Academy in their respective region. The grant program provides funding to support short-term and long-term improvements to a business’s growth, success, and sustainability.
The E-Contractor Academy Grant Program provides grant opportunities to graduates of the E-Contractor Academy in their respective region. The grant program provides funding to support short-term and long-term improvements to a business’s growth, success, and sustainability.
Status: OPEN
Status: OPEN
Grant Type: Up to $2,500 Capacity Boost Grant
Grant Type: Up to $2,500 Capacity Boost Grant
QUESTIONS? Contact ECC Staff at northeast@emeraldcities.org
Application Deadline: May 15, 2024
Application Deadline: May 15, 2024
Eligibility Criteria
Capacity Boost Grant (>$2,500)
Capacity Boost Grant (>$2,500)
Completed ALL ECA sessions
Business is at least 51% owned by a minority or woman
Existing, licensed construction business in good standing
Business must be in trade related to or has plans to expand into sustainable building and clean energy
Business registered in Massachusetts
Complete End of Course survey by April 17
PLEASE NOTE:
This grant opportunity is only open to the Spring 2024 cohort, so please do not share the materials with people outside of the cohort.
You do not need to be the business owner in order to apply. Please, one application per business.
If you did not attend all sessions, but followed up with Sandra/Alexis to make up for the sessions you missed, the follow up qualifies as attendance for a session. If you are unsure about your attendance, please email ECC staff at northeast@emeraldcities.org and we can discuss your situation.
Funding Schedule
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. There are no priority review dates.
There is an information webinar on Tue, April 16, 5-6pm. The webinar will be recorded and shared on this Google Site. REGISTER for the Webinar.
For questions, please submit to northeast@emeraldcities.org with subject line "Spring 2024 ECA Grant Inquiry".
Apply
To apply:
To apply:
Attend all ECA sessions.
Determine your eligibility based on the eligibility criteria outlined above.
Review "List of Required Documentation"
Contact ECC staff at northeast@emeraldcities.org with questions or to discuss your application.
Complete application form by May 15, 2024, 5pm.
Application Materials
Application Deadline: May 15, 2024
Application Deadline: May 15, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
What trade do I have to be in?
What trade do I have to be in?
The grants are targeted towards businesses operating in trades that are considered climate critical such as:
Electrical
Plumbing
Mechanical / HVAC
Weatherization
Remediation
If you are in a different trade, you may still apply and there will be a section for you to explain your connection to sustainable building / clean energy economy.
What can I use the funds for?
What can I use the funds for?
The funds must be used for business expenses.
Eligible costs for the CAPACITY BOOST GRANT (>$2,500) include:
Employee Expenses
Insurance
Payroll
Supplies
Union Dues
Rent
Clean energy association membership dues/fees
Events/Workshops
Training / Certification
Tuition
MWBE certification
Conference fees
Professional development
Software (i.e. Quickbooks)
Technology Upgrades
Services (i.e. Marketing)
Accounting
Legal
Equipment Purchase or Down Payment
Purchase or lease of equipment or business vehicles
Leveraging Funds for loan for bond
Are there ineligible costs or things that I can’t use the grant funds for?
Are there ineligible costs or things that I can’t use the grant funds for?
The following are ineligible uses of grant funds:
Personal expenses
Back taxes
Past due rent
Legal settlements
If awarded, how much time do I have to spend down the funds?
If awarded, how much time do I have to spend down the funds?
ECC would like to see grantees utilize the funds within 90 days. If you foresee any challenges with that timeline please explain in the grant application description of use of funds.
What is the selection process for grantees?
What is the selection process for grantees?
ECC will be utilizing a scoring matrix that prioritizes impact to the environment and impact to disadvantaged communities, in particular minority-owned businesses. Overall ability for the funds to scale the business will also be taken into consideration.
A committee of regional leaders within ECC will vote on the highest ranked applicants and will be the final decision. Your local ECC contact will be recused from this voting and will not have a say in their regions election.
Can I change my application after it’s been submitted?
Can I change my application after it’s been submitted?
It is recommended that before completing and submitting the online form, respondents review answers carefully, as your work may not be saved if you leave the web page before submitting the application. You may also lose your work if your internet is disconnected, or as a result of other potential web browser issues. ECC cannot accept changes to the application once it has been submitted, so please review it carefully. If you'd like to discuss your application prior to submitting, please contact an ECC staff.
Do grant applicants receive a confirmation that they submitted their application?
Do grant applicants receive a confirmation that they submitted their application?
Every applicant receives a confirmation screen that follows if all fields are filled out correctly and after hitting "Submit".
How will I be contacted or know if I will receive a grant?
How will I be contacted or know if I will receive a grant?
ECC will primarily utilize email to communicate with all applicants. Be sure to check email regularly, including spam folders. Email communications with applicants will come from northeast@emeraldcities.org.
Finalists will be notified by email and must respond promptly. The return of any grantee notification message or document as undeliverable may result in disqualification of the applicable grantee, the forfeiture of his or her interest in the grant, and the selection of a substitute from among all remaining eligible finalists.
Will I be notified if I did not win an award?
Will I be notified if I did not win an award?
Yes, all applicants will be notified whether they moved forward or did not move to the next stage.
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