Government & Foundation
Organizations
From local chambers of commerce to statewide trade groups, Connecticut is full of organizations that can assist your business. Find the professionals who can enhance your company with everything from grants to networking opportunities.
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StamfordNext
- A nonprofit collaborative supporting new and growing companies in Stamford
- Provides matching grants
- Special consideration given to projects that can highlight the city’s unique qualities or promote collaborative activities
New Haven Innovation Collaborative
- An “Innovation Place” offering support to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the New Haven region
- Oversees numerous programs, shared facilities, and other initiatives
- Solicits public input for economic development strategies
North Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce
- Represents four towns in the north central region of Connecticut
- Dedicated to growing businesses and strengthening the local economy
- Hosts events,
Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce
- A chamber of commerce concentrated on the communities of Wallingford and North Haven while also serving surrounding towns
- Offers a variety of educational and marketing opportunities
- Includes a Virtual Marketplace
Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce
- The oldest business organization in northwestern Connecticut
- Represents 21 towns
- Promotes and assists businesses through a variety of resources and programs
MITx
- An online learning platform from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Advances knowledge and educates students in science, technology, and other areas
- Free courses and professional certifications available
MassEcon
- A statewide nonprofit alliance of private and public sector partners
- Offers location services and economic research
- Promotes Massachusetts as a place to do business
The Back Bay Association
- Provides resources to the Back Bay business community
- Serves as the liaison with the City of Boston for the interests of local businesses
- Works to improve,
The Massachusetts Business Roundtable
- A public policy organization comprised of CEOs and senior executives from some of Massachusetts’ largest employers
- Members work to have an impact on a broad range of social and economic issues
- Works to develop public policy positions that strengthen Massachusetts’
Ceres
- A nonprofit organization working to tackle sustainability challenges
- Works with influential investors and companies
- Builds leadership and drives solutions throughout the economy
Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts
- Engages business and community leaders in building economies that are local, green, and fair
- Seeks to grow the sustainable economy movement
- Oversees numerous programs that work to build a stronger economy
Retailers Association of Massachusetts
- Represents retailers throughout the Commonwealth
- Oversees legislative advocacy, member benefits, and public awareness efforts
- Seeks to assist small businesses in meeting challenges
The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association
- Includes 70 licensed member hospitals
- Advocates, communicates, and educates on numerous health care matters
- For hospitals and health care stakeholders in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Lodging Association
- Represents a range of hotels, motels, resorts, inns and bed and breakfasts
- Committed to developing the travel and leisure industry in Massachusetts
- Provides professional education and networking opportunities
The Providers’ Council
- An association of community-based human services agencies
- The largest human services trade association and widely recognized as the official voice of the private provider industry
- Numerous opportunities for learning,
The Commercial Real Estate Development Association – Massachusetts
- Represents the interests of companies involved with the development, ownership, management and financing of commercial properties
- The largest chapter in an international commercial real estate association
- Advocates for the industry and offers networking and educational opportunities
The Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA)
- A multi-faceted banking trade group
- Represents a wide variety of banking institutions
- Works to improve education and training, improve technology,
The Ad Club
- A trade association for marketing, advertising, and communications professionals in New England
- Focused on networking, education, professional development, advocacy, and diversity
- Hosts 30 events and programs every year
New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC)
- A nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development, and communications initiatives
- The voice of businesses building a world-class clean energy hub in the Northeast
- Convenes clean energy stakeholders dedicated to growing the state and the region’s clean energy economy
The Association of Latino Professionals for America – Boston
- One of the largest ALPFA chapters in the country
- Includes business professionals as well as student chapters at eight colleges and universities
- Provides guidance and support to help propel careers and livelihood
The Massachusetts Association Of Health Plans
- The leading voice for health plans in Massachusetts
- Promotes high-quality, affordable health care
- Provides information and advocacy on health care issues
The Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals
- Maximizes the Boston-area teaching hospitals’ visibility
- Members contribute to the area’s health and economy
- Advocates for policies favorable to academic medicine and the economy of the Commonwealth
Greater Boston Real Estate Board
- The oldest real estate trade association in America
- Provides education, networking, advocacy and philanthropy
- Specializes in the development, management, and transactional aspects of real estate projects
The Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts
- Helps life insurers navigate their way in the Bay State
- A powerful collective voice for the industry
- A respected and effective advocate for its member
Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM)
- Advocates for legislation that creates economic opportunity in Massachusetts
- Training, talent management, HR strategy, and compliance
- Facilitates discussions and events featuring industry experts
The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM)
- Combats climate change and protects land, water, and public health
- Creates diverse alliances and builds the power of the environmental community
- A leader in environmental and economic sustainability
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
- A unique public agency supporting business formation and growth in the Massachusetts technology sector
- Serve as a powerful catalyst, helping turn good ideas into economic opportunity across the Commonwealth
- Provides business support,
The Workforce Training Fund Program
- Helps address business productivity and competitiveness
- Provide resources to Massachusetts businesses to fund training for current and newly hired employees
- Businesses must pay into the program
Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation
- Builds community through organizing, civic engagement, and leadership development
- Addresses the problems of economic disinvestment, unemployment, crime, and community tension
- Develops and preserves homeownership and rental housing across income levels
Cape Cod Young Professionals
- Creates a supportive community for young people living and working on Cape Cod
- Provides career development, connection, and civic engagement opportunities
- Offers opportunity for professional and community connections
The Beacon Hill Business Association
- Helps the Beacon Hill business community maintain a lively and harmonious relationship with its residential neighbors
- Seeks to make the shopping streets in the Boston neighborhood useful and interesting
- Offers a business district map,
A Better City
- A diverse group of business leaders united to enhance Boston and the region’s economic health
- Conducts work in transportation and infrastructure, land use and development,
Initiative for Competitive Inner City (ICIC)
- Conducts research on urban economic development initiatives and reports on what works
- Manages several inner city business programs
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Identifies and supports economic growth in the urban core
MASCO
- A non-profit organization serving the Longwood Medical and Academic Area in Boston
- Provides indispensable programs and services to the LMA
- Support collaborative efforts on a variety of issues
Massachusetts Society of CPAs (MSCPA)
- A trade organization to “protect, enhance and promote the value of being a CPA in Massachusetts”
- Supports education, advocacy, and networking opportunities
- Allow its members to learn,
Tech Goes Home
- Provides digital tools to those lacking access to them
- Aims to provide “equity through opportunity”
- Maintains several resources to assist aspiring entrepreneurs
MassHousing
- An independent, quasi-public agency
- Provides financing for affordable housing developers and property managers in Massachusetts
- Additional support including diverse business engagement and community services
Massachusetts Office of Business Development
- A state office assisting businesses looking to relocate to Massachusetts or expand their operations in the state
- Helps connect small businesses and entrepreneurs to available resources
- Maintains a regional staff for statewide service
Mass.gov – Working
- The official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- “Working” section connects to a wealth of business and employment resources
- Aims to assist businesses and make Massachusetts become a batter place to live,
Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation
- Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) functions as a one-stop resource for debt financing for small businesses.
- Provides a variety of financing options,
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network
- Provides free and confidential one-to-one business advice.
- Available to Massachusetts start-ups and existing businesses
- Contributes to the entrepreneurial growth of small businesses throughout Massachusetts by providing high-quality,
LISC Boston
- Tackles the issues that have the greatest impact on the Boston community
- Provides financing and leads community improvement initiatives
- A network of partners dedicated to growing opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Community Development Partnership
- A group of community and business leaders committed to strengthening small businesses and building affordable housing
- Aims to improve the lives of low to moderate income residents of the Lower Cape
- Offers loans and business assistance
Massachusetts Community & Banking Council
- Provides a collaborative forum for Massachusetts financial institutions
- Help to connect with the community organizations and programs
- Improves credit availability in low- to middle-income communities
Coastal Community Capital
- A community development financial institution issuing loans statewide
- Offers a wide range of loans including SBA offerings
- Additional resources such as mentoring and business assistance also available
Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF)
- Focuses on cooperatives and social purpose ventures assisting low-income communities
- One of the nation’s few community development financial institutions with a focus on co-ops
- Specific focus areas of healthy food access,
Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
- “The Voice of the Nonprofit Sectors”
- Helps raise the nonprofit sector’s a voice on critical issues
- Focuses on areas of public policy,
Accion
- A global nonprofit organization
- Empowers people who are underserved and revolutionizes financial services
- Helps people, small businesses, and communities grow and thrive
