SECTION 1. Section 53 of Chapter 10 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:-

There shall be a community non-profit board which shall determine the scope, criteria, awards process, and solicitation for an investment and grant program for community-based non-profit organizations. The board shall develop and oversee the Community Non-Profit Investment and Grant Program which shall be subject to appropriation and shall annually award grants to community-based organizations to further their work to improve their community or the lives of others. Any organization organized pursuant to section eight E of chapter twelve that is organized in the Commonwealth and performs community-based charitable work may be eligible for application to the commonwealth’s Community Non-Profit Investment and Grant Program. The grant program shall be organized by the board for the purpose of aiding and strengthening such corporations, community chests, funds and foundations as are organized and operated exclusively for nonproprietary and nonprofit-making purposes.

SECTION 2. The community non-profit board shall be tasked with developing guidelines for applications and promulgating regulations for award rounds, criteria for selection, and public outreach to solicit bids for application and raise awareness of the Community Non-Profit Investment and Grant Program. The board shall be organized under and overseen by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The Massachusetts Cultural Council shall solicit local organizations for volunteer-based membership of the board. The board shall prepare and implement the Community Non-Profit Investment and Grant Program within 180 days of the passage of this act.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect immediately upon its passage.