RFR RELEASE DATE: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 

ONLINE APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, April 11, 2025 at 3 p.m.

Online applications only. Hard copies or electronic copies will not be considered.   

Application link: https://mott.submittable.com/submit 

Applications must include all required documentation by the application deadline.  

CONTACTS: 

Kate Fox  

MOTT Executive Director kate.fox@mass.gov 

Sheila Green  

MA250 Coordinator, MOTT   

Sheila.green@mass.gov 

OVERVIEW: 

The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) is committed to supporting programming around the Semiquincentennial of the American Revolution in Massachusetts in 2025 and 2026. The FY26 Massachusetts 250 Grant Program is a competitive grant program that will award funds to support programming and marketing that tell the stories of the American Revolution in Massachusetts and will increase tourism and travel to and within Massachusetts.   

Eligible projects will have a direct connection to the American Revolution in Massachusetts, connect to historic themes of revolution and independence, and/or celebrate the significant firsts in Massachusetts history that make the state exceptional in our history and innovation. Grant funds can be used for programming and marketing. The grant process opens on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, with applications due Friday April 11, 2025, at 3 p.m.  Grant awards are anticipated to be announced in May 2025, subject to appropriation. Grant funds must be spent by July 31, 2026. MOTT anticipates awarding up to $2,000,000 in this round, subject to funding availability.  

MOTT held an MA250 Grant informational webinar on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Please see presentation slides here.

View Frequently Asked Questions.

View a sample standard contract form for grant recipients here.

Questions about this MA250 Grant must be submitted in writing to Sheila.Green@mass.gov and are due by Friday, April 4, 2025, at 3 p.m. 

Any applicant experiencing technical difficulties must alert MOTT by Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 3 p.m. 

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY: 

• Any municipality, public agency, tribal entity, or nonprofit organization (501(c)3, 501(c)5, or 501(c)6), which is operating in Massachusetts  
• Municipal applicants must be in compliance with MBTA Communities Act (Section 3A of MGL c. 40A), if applicable/required, to be eligible for funding  
• Must be in good standing with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts  
• Must be current on all taxes due through December 31, 2023  
• Have active and valid state licenses/registrations, if applicable  
• While collaboration and creativity is encouraged, the application must be submitted by one eligible, lead organization.  
• Applications must be complete and include all required documentation and be submitted through the online portal, by the deadline, in order to be considered.  

Ineligible Organizations: 

1. For-profit organizations  
2. Any organization whose sole or primary purpose is to fundraise  
3. Public colleges and universities  
4. A fiscal sponsor that will pass through funds to an ineligible organization  
5. Organizations not located in Massachusetts 

GRANT AMOUNTS AND DISTRIBUTION: 

$5,000 - $100,000  

Applicants must demonstrate how the project will increase domestic and/or international leisure travel to and within Massachusetts. 

TYPES OF GRANTS AND PROJECT ELIGIBILITY: Eligible projects will have a direct connection to the American Revolution in Massachusetts, connect to historic themes of revolution and independence, celebrate the significant firsts in Massachusetts history that make the state exceptional, tell lesser-known stories, and/or take a creative or innovative approach to commemorating or celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial. Grant funds can be used for programming and marketing. 

Ineligible expenses: Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to, the following: 

1. Expenses incurred or obligated prior to or after the funding project period  
2. Annual operating expenditures or overhead expenditures (e.g. rent, utilities, etc.)  
3. Salaries, bonuses, or fringe benefits of personnel not directly related to the project. No more than 10% of the grant may be spent on administrative or marketing salaries.  
4. Prize money, gift cards, scholarships, awards, plaques, T-shirts, uniforms or certificates; entertainment expenses including food, beverages including alcohol, cannabis or tobacco 
5. Legal fees, insurance/liability insurances and/or membership fees  
6. Mini-grants or reallocation to other organizations  
7. Any expenses not related to the described grant project
8. Capital investments
9. Public safety
10. Transportation costs
11. Sanitary facilities

REVIEW CRITERIA: 

Applications will be reviewed by the strength of the following criteria and financial need:  

Tourism and Economic Impact (40%): 

• Outlines how the success (e.g. visitation, economic, and/or financial) of the project will be measured  
• Clearly articulates the impact on the tourism economy.
• Shows a clear target area of focus within the tourism sector with metrics and background.  
• Articulates why tourists would choose this destination.  

Vision And Clarity (25%): 

• Clearly describes the scope and vision of the project and how the MA250 grant will continue that vision.  
• Demonstrates the value of the project within the community and can clearly articulate what the project is trying to achieve.  
• Articulates outcomes and deliverables of the project.  
• Describes how the project relates to the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution.  
• Prioritizes engaging diverse and/or previously lesser-known stories.  

Ability To Execute (20%): 

• Clearly presents the budget and use of matching funds (matching funds are not required)  
• Presents an achievable timeline  
• Lists the permissions, permits, and internal support that are in place or still needed  
• If organization is an FY25 MA250 Grantee, performance on the current grant will be taken into consideration  

Alignment & Partnerships (15%): 

• Clearly shows how the project is consistent with community and regional plans around economic development in the tourism industry.  
• Shows how the project is consistent with community and regional plans around Semiquincentennial commemorations.  
• Describes involvement and support of relevant stakeholders  
• Leverages grant dollars with private funding (not a requirement)  

LETTERS OF SUPPORT: 

Each application must include three letters of support on official letterhead. One from a civic or business leader, one from a state or municipal official, and one from an area tourism leader. These must be scanned into one document and submitted through the online portal by the grant deadline. Letters submitted after the deadline and letters that are identical in wording will not be considered. No more than three letters will be accepted as a part of the application. 

AWARD PROCESS: 

Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) staff will review all complete, eligible proposals submitted by Friday, April 11, 2025, at 3 p.m. Any applicants experiencing technical difficulties must alert MOTT by Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 3 p.m.

MOTT will award and disburse grants based upon criteria outlined above in consultation with EOED and subject to appropriation.

Grant funds are disbursed on a 100% cost-reimbursement basis. No funds will be distributed until costs are incurred and deliverables are completed.  

Organizations that are awarded a Massachusetts 250 Grant are encouraged to support diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please see the Commonwealth’s Directory of Certified Businesses to find minority and women business enterprises. 

FINAL ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT AND FINAL SPENDING REPORT: Grant funds must be spent by July 31, 2026, unless an extension is requested and approved by MOTT. Programs funded by MA250 grants must commence by July 31, 2026. Extension requests must be submitted to MOTT by June 30, 2026. The Final Accomplishment Report and Final Spending Report formats will be included with contract documents. For the Final Spending Report, copies of original vendor invoices showing the actual grant costs incurred, the check number, and date of the check corresponding to the invoices must be submitted.

• Final Report is due by August 29, 2026 

The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) will be administering your Fiscal Year 2025 Earmark per the Fiscal Year 2025 Massachusetts State Budget. In order to initiate your contract, complete the Earmark Scope and Budget form and return it to the earmark program manager. Please be advised: 

• All funding under this contract must be spent by, and all deliverables must be executed, completed and delivered by June 30, 2025.
• Any unexpended funds from this contract must be refunded by July 31, 2025 in the form of a check made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• The maximum contract obligation will not exceed the amount published in the state budget line item.
• Funds provided under this contract may not be used for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

Reimbursement Schedule: 

• 50% of the earmark will be distributed upon receipt of the signed contract.
• A second allocation of the remaining 50% will be made upon receipt of the cost reimbursement invoice and final report.
• The Cost Reimbursement Invoice and Final Report are due by June 30, 2025.

Cost Reimbursement Invoice and Final Report: In order to receive the second allotment of 50% of the earmark, you must submit a completed Cost Reimbursement Invoice (attachment B) and Final Report to the earmark program manager. The Invoice should include receipts and proof of payment for all earmark expenditures. The Final Report should provide a brief summary of how the funds were expended and address all elements of the budget at the conclusion of the initiatives. The report shall include outcomes and any quantifiable details such as: job creation, jobs retained, economic impact, return on investment, number of businesses/visitors served or trained, and other relevant statistics. The Cost Reimbursement Invoice and Final Report are due by June 30, 2025.