Career Initiatives ApplicationPlease enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Career Initiatives Application FormPlease read through this document before applying. It contains important information about the application process, such as who can apply and other frequently asked questions: Application Process and FAQlt can be useful to draft your answers to the questions on a separate document in case the form does not submit correctly. That way, you won’t have to re-write the answers if something goes wrong. It is also useful to have your resume and reference(s) available and ready to upload before beginning the application process. *Applications are due by 4pm on Thursday, June 24th, 2026*If applying online is not accessible, a PDF version can be sent to you by emailing: info@wildfloweralliance.orgPlease check your email and spam folders throughout the application and award process (late June through late July). We may email questions about your project, and if we do not get a response, it may affect whether your project is funded. Sometimes, tech glitches or other errors happen. If you do not hear from us by August 2nd, please reach out to info@wildfloweralliance.orgAPPLICATION & FUNDING TIMELINEFriday, February 27th, 2026: Applications available May, 2026: Information Sessions will take place (see below) Thursday, June 24th, 2026: Completed applications will be due by 4pm Thursday, July 30th, 2026: Grant award announcements are made Tuesday, September 1st, 2026: Funds become available for use Thursday, January 7th, 2027: Mid-cycle report submittedTuesday, June 1st, 2027: All funds must be spent Wednesday, June 30th, 2027: All grant tasks completed Wednesday, July 1st, 2027: Final grant report submitted (If applying consecutive grant cycles, final reports are due with the application for the new cycle)Technical Assistance/Info SessionsInformation Sessions: Attending Information Sessions is NOT required in order to apply for a grant. However, it may be helpful if you want to learn more, you’re feeling stuck or have specific questions for filling out an application. Each session will be about an hour long and is attended to address questions about applications and the project overall. To sign up to attend a Zoom session, please email Liz at liz@wildfloweralliance.orgSIGN UP IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND ZOOM SESSIONS. If we receive no sign ups we may cancel a Zoom workshop (In-person workshops will take place as listed and do not require sign ups; please check this page closer to the date of the workshop in case of last-minute updates).If you would like to sign up for a zoom workshop or if you have any other questions, please contact Liz at liz@wildfloweralliance.org and, or info@wildflowerallaince.orgInformation Session dates and times are as follows: Monday May 4th, 1:00pm via zoomWednesday, May 6th 12:30pm in-person @ Wildflower Alliance’s Holyoke Center, 199 High St, Holyoke, MAFriday May 8th 10:00 am @ Wildflower Alliance’s Springfield Center, Bowen, 147 Magazine Street, Springfield, MAMonday, May 11th, 1:00 pm @ Wildflower Alliance’s Greenfield Center, 20 Chapman Street, Greenfield, MAThursday, May 14th, 1:00pm @ Wildflower Alliance’s Pittsfield Center, 361 North Street, Pittsfield, MATuesday, May 19th, 1:30 pm via zoom Wednesday, May 20th, 11:00 am via zoom Name *FirstLastEmail *EmailConfirm EmailWe may reach out to you during the review process. If we’re unable to reach you, it could impact whether your project is selected for funding or not. Email is typically the way we will contact you, so please be sure to monitor the email you share with us as well as the spam folder.Phone *We may reach out to you during the review process. If we’re unable to reach you, it could impact whether your project is selected for funding or not.Address *Address Line 1Address Line 2City— Select state —AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingStateZip CodeHave you or an immediate family member worked for the Wildflower Alliance, the Western Mass Training Consortium, or any program under the Consortium's umbrella within the last two years? *YesNoHave you been a member for the Guiding Council of Western Mass (GCOW) or the Board of the Western Mass Training Consortium within the last two years? *YesNoIs an employee of the Wildflower Alliance, the Western Mass Training Consortium, or any Consortium program involved in your project? If yes, what is their role in your project? *Resume * Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload Resumes do not need to be lengthy, but should include all standard resume elements including: ● Your name and contact information ● Any relevant education or training ● Any relevant work experience (paid or unpaid) ● A summary of relevant skills and attributesReference Letter(s) * Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 3 files. Reference Details: You must submit at least one and no more than three references with your completed application. References must NOT be a family member. At least one reference should have known you for AT LEAST one year. References should be written letters and MUST include: ● The reference’s full name ● The reference’s contact information (phone number, email and address) ● How the reference knows you and for how long ● What skills, strengths and experiences the reference believes that you have that will help you to be successful with your small business or project planCheck One *I’m applying for the first timeI applied before and was NOT approved for fundingI WAS funded before and am re-applying for funding the same projectI WAS funded previously and am seeking funding for a new projectIf you received funding previously, please share the title of the project and the year you received funding. If you have not received funding, you can write n/a. *If you received funding during the most recent grant cycle, please also fill out the re-application form. you up the What is the title of your project for this grant cycle? (It's okay to change the title during the grant cycle) *Please share a brief mission statement *A mission statement is a formal summary of the aims and values of a company, organization, or individual, typically 1-3 sentences in length.What are your project goals? What do you hope to accomplish by June 30th? *What is your project description? What will you be doing throughout the year to build up to these goals? *MONTHLY OUTLINEThis next section offers space to share your overall timeline for your project. What will you be doing each month to work towards the goals you listed above?September *October *November *December *January *February *March *April *May *June *Miscellaneous Timeline Info (as applicable)BUDGETThis section provides space to detail the budget for your project. We are asking for a clear budget breakdown, and providing a detailed budget helps the committee to understand what the grant would be going towards. This is helpful when deciding which projects to fund. If your budget does not give details like the example below, your project may not end up being funded. For example, listing a type of consultant or a type of item and the approximate cost as listed below in a sample budget:Pack of blank canvases $55 Pack of oil paints $150 Pack of brushes $35 Registration fee for craft fair $25 Seasonal vendor fee for farmer’s market $400 Artist coaching/mentoring session $135TOTAL $800*Please note, the highest amount typically awarded would be around $2,000. If your budget is over $2,000, please explain which elements of your budget you would prioritize if you receive Career Initiatives funding and how you would find funding for other elements of your project. If your budget is over $2,000 and you do not respond to this question, your project may not end up being funded.What is your budget for this project? Please provide detailed information about how you will spend the funds. *If you would like to attach a document detailing your budget, you can write n/a in this field and attach your budget below. Please be sure your budget is clearly described like the example above. If it is not, your project may not end up being funded.If you would like to, you can upload a document with your budget here Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload If it’s easier to share a document detailing your budget, you can do that hereIndividuals who have limited access to other financial resources to bring their vision to life will be given priority. Please explain how this grant will create an opportunity for you to do something you otherwise would not be able to accomplish. *People who have experienced being given psychiatric diagnoses, extreme states, trauma and other life challenges that have gotten in the way of their hopes and dreams will be given priority. Please describe how your personal experiences and journey have impacted you and how they have helped shape your goals for this project. *What skills, strengths, or experience do you possess that could help you with this project? *What other supports and resources do you have access to that might help you with this project? (For example, a friend who’s really great with making flyers and will help you create one to promote your product or a family member with a truck who is willing to help you move larger items as needed for your project, etc.) *Did anyone else help you to complete this application? If yes, please offer details about what support they offered and what that may mean for your own ability to complete your project moving forward. *What is your vision for sustainability of your business plan, project, or educational program? What will you do when the grant money runs out to keep your business or project going, or complete your certification or degree? *What will you do to move your project forward if you do not receive funding? *Is there anything else we should know about your vision for this grant or how it will impact your life? *MAKING SURE YOUR APPLICATION IS RECEIVEDWhen you click the ‘submit’ button, you should see a confirmation message on your screen. If you do not see a confirmation message, we may not have received your application. If there are tech glitches, you may be asked to fill out this form again. It can be helpful to either draft your answers in a separate document or to copy and paste your answers from this form into a separate document so you don’t have to re-write answers if there are any tech glitches. If you do not receive a confirmation message on your screen after you click ‘submit’, please try again. If you still do not see a confirmation message, please email info@wildfloweralliance.orgBELOW YOU CAN SHARE OTHER MATERIALSYou can determine whether or not you want to submit any other physical or digital supporting materials (A sample of your art or music, etc.) Any materials submitted MUST be in sample form only. THEY WILL NOT BE RETURNED TO YOU. Additional materials are NOT required, but are particularly recommended for any proposals that center upon the arts. Physical items can be mailed to 187 High Street, Suite 202, Holyoke, MA 01040 c/o Career Initiatives Project. Digital materials can be shared below.Website / URLAdditional Website / URL Files or portfolios Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 6 files. Submit
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