State Grants to Expand Employment Opportunities Through Social Enterprises

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration announced $1 million in grants to four organizations through the Executive Office of Economic Development’s Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program, which funds nonprofits focused on hiring and assisting people who face barriers to employment.

“The Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program helps organizations expand their facilities so they can create more opportunities for people facing barriers to employment,” Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley said. “These investments support nonprofits that combine paid employment with hands-on training and wraparound services, helping more Massachusetts residents access long-term economic opportunity.”

Social Enterprise Capital Grants support the purchase, repair, renovation, and improvement of the facilities of nonprofit businesses that both sell goods or services and provide paid employment and supportive services to individuals facing significant barriers to employment.

To be considered, workforce development needs to be a key aspect to both the organizations mission and programming. Eligible organizations must offer paid work opportunities to low-income individuals, with priority given to socially and economically disadvantaged populations requiring intensive support. The Healey-Driscoll administration continue to grow this program, having awarded, in total, more than $8 million in grants to communities across Massachusetts.

One of the grants is local, with $250,000 awarded to ServiceNet Inc. to support the rehabilitation and renovation of Northfield Farm, strengthening ServiceNet’s farm-based social enterprise. The enterprise grows, prepares, and sells agricultural and value-added food products while providing paid work, supervision, and hands-on training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project will improve the farm’s facilities and infrastructure, helping participants build practical skills in agriculture, food production, and related employment pathways.

The other three grants are $400,000 to GAAMHA Inc. in Petersham, $250,000 to the Latin American Health Alliance in Worcester, and $100,000 to the Regional Environmental Council Inc. in Worcester.

Earlier this month, Gov. Maura Healey signed into law the FY 2027 budget, which offers an additional $1 million of support to social enterprises.