Boosting Business Blocks Grant

flower baskets and flags

The Boosting Business Blocks (BBB) grant helps groups of businesses and business associations improve their commercial area and attract more shoppers.

You can receive up to $7,000 for your eligible project. BBB funds physical improvements that make your commercial area more vibrant, like signs, seating, and public art. It also funds reusable items that make it easier for you to host public events with other businesses, like tents and tables.

BBB is typically open from August until May, except for November and December when we shift our focus to the holiday season. Learn more below under “Requirements.”

We open a special grant during the holiday season. The Holiday Season grant helps you attract more customers to your commercial area in November and December. You can receive up to $5,000 for your eligible project. The Holiday Season grant funds the same items as BBB but for holiday strolls, markets, and other seasonal programs.Unlike BBB, it also funds staff time, marketing, and materials. Applications are typically due in early November. Learn more below under “Requirements.”

Past Boosting Business Blocks projects include:

  • Businesses located in one block in the North Massachusetts Avenue commercial area put up a sign listing all businesses on the block to attract more shoppers.
  • The businesses of Observatory Hill and Huron Village worked together to create a passport program for shoppers to encourage them to visit area businesses.
  • The East Cambridge Business Association commissioned local business owners to design creative displays in vacant, first-floor spaces in the district.
  • The Harvard Square Business Association installed new light pole banners welcoming visitors to Harvard Square.
  • A group of businesses in the Lower Massachusetts Avenue commercial area hosted a holiday stroll with decorations and a giveaway bag that promoted the neighborhood.

Requirements

General Projects - We are accepting applications on a rolling basis as long as there is funding available or until Tuesday, April 13, 2027, at 5:00 PM. We do not accept applications for BBB in November and December to focus on the holiday season.

  • $7,000 for your eligible project
  • Physical improvements that make your commercial district area more vibrant
  • Large reusable items that make it easier for you to host public events together with other businesses. 

Read all grant guidelines before submitting your application. 

Holiday Season Grant – We are accepting applications on a rolling basis as long as there is funding available or until Monday, November 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Events must be between November 28 and December 30, 2026.

  • $5,000 for your eligible project.
  • Physical improvements that make your commercial area more vibrant during the holiday season.
  • Large reusable items that make it easier for you to host public, seasonal events together with other businesses.
  • A limited amount of staff time, food, and other supplies for public events. 

All BBB guidelines apply except the Holiday Season grant also funds staff time, marketing, and other materials. Staff time cannot be more than $1,000 or 20% of your total budget, whichever is less. Marketing cannot be more than $1,000 or 20% of your total budget, whichever is less. Your Holiday Season grant award does not count against your general BBB eligibility.

Grant awards are determined by Economic Opportunity and Development Division (EODD) staff and are certified by a cross-departmental review committee. All projects, regardless of when funding is awarded, must be fully paid for by June 1 to qualify for reimbursement before the end of the fiscal year (June 30). Grant funds will be awarded upon project completion and submission of evaluation plan results.

Please review all grant guidelines before submitting your application.

Fiscal Year 2027 Guidelines

Fiscal Year 2027 Application

Questions? 

Please contact Sarah Jane Huber at 617/349-4624 or shuber@cambridgema.gov.