Boston Contracting Opportunity Fund
NOTICE: Applications are currently undergoing a review process, and we anticipate providing you with an update on the status of your grant application by late this summer.
Do you need help with expanded rental space, equipment and/or inventory purchases, business bonding and insurance, or operating capital?
We want to help small, local businesses build their operational capacity and level the playing field for historically disadvantaged businesses interested in City contracts. Apply now to see if your company is eligible for up to $15,000 in grant money.
Boston-based business neighborhoods include Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, West Roxbury, Wharf District.
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Have questions? Contact the Supplier Diversity Program:
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Frequently Asked Questions
We have an information document that provides answers to some commonly asked questions about the fund.
About the fund
- Waste collection & management
- Snow removal & landscaping
- Design & architectural services
- Food and dining services
- Construction - Plumbing & HVAC services
- Construction - Electrical work
- Construction - General contracting services
- Construction - Roofing, siding, and flooring work
- Construction - Insulation, drywall, masonry, and weatherproofing work
- rental space
- equipment and inventory purchases
- business bonding and insurance, or
- operating capital.
Our goal is to help small, local businesses build their operational capacity and level the playing field for historically disadvantaged businesses interested in City contracts:
- women (WBE)
- minorities (MBE)
- veterans (VOSB/SDVOSB), or
- certified Small and Local (SLBE) businesses.
Please note: There's still time to become a certified business with the City of Boston's Supplier Diversity Program. We will award grants of up to $15,000 starting in spring 2023.
Does my business qualify?
Find out if your business qualifies for the Boston Contracting Opportunity Fund!
This year, we are prioritizing the following sectors: Waste collection & management; Snow removal and landscaping; Design & architectural services; Food and dining services; other; and Construction (subsectors below).
Construction Subsectors: Plumbing & HVAC services; Electrical work; General contracting services; Roofing, siding, and flooring work; Insulation, drywall, masonry, and weatherproofing work.
To learn more, check our eligible business list below.
Applicants must be:
- a certified MBE, WBE, or SLBE with the City of Boston's Supplier Diversity Program, or
Note: Not certified with the City of Boston Supplier Diversity Program? Begin your application.
- eligible to be certified and apply for certification before the Fund closes on May 5, 2023, at 12 p.m.
Applicants must also be in good standing with the City of Boston.
Applicants must show how funding will increase their capacity to bid for City contracts and commit to providing supporting documents for grant expenditures.
Non-profit organizations are not eligible for this fund.
Have questions about the fund? Check out our frequently asked questions document and watch our question-and-answer webinar.
Eligible Business List
Eligible Business List- Building construction
- Heavy construction
- Mechanical contracting services
- Water, sewer, and utility lines
- Concrete, asphalt, and related products
- Electrical work
- Street cleaning
- Excavation, wrecking, and land preparation
- Roofing, siding, and flooring
- Landscape services
- Painting, striping, and marking
- Windows and doors
- Insulation, drywall, masonry, and weatherproofing
- Trucking and moving
- Heavy construction equipment
- Plumbing and HVAC supplies
- Fencing, guardrails, and signs
- Fam and marine construction
- Other construction materials and services
- Architectural and design services
- Engineering
- Developers and operative builders
- Construction management
- Environmental services
- Transportation planning services
- Testing and inspection
- Architecture and engineering services
- IT and data services
- Human resources and job training services
- Business and market research services
- Educational services
- Advertising, marketing, and public relations
- Other professional services
- Waste and recycling services
- Transit services
- Dining services
- Vehicle maintenance and repair
- Equipment maintenance and repair
- Security guard services
- Cleaning and janitorial services
- Security systems services
- Printing, copying, and mailing
- Pest control
- Catering and restaurants
- Other services
- Deicing chemicals
- Office equipment and supplies
- Petroleum and petroleum products
- Vehicle parts and supplies
- Computers and peripherals
- Wholesale food products
- Automobiles
- Cleaning and janitorial supplies
- Furniture
- Industrial equipment
