Movie Theater Grant Program

PLEASE NOTE: Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) is the sole entity designated as the Administrator of the Movie Theater Grant Programs (the "Program"). This site (empoweringsmallbusiness.org) and other websites available on or through this site (the “Designated Sites”) are the only approved websites designated for the administration of the Program. Any other website purporting to administer or otherwise act as an Administrator in connection with the Program may be fraudulent. As such, you should exercise caution and avoid providing any information (personal or otherwise) in connection with the Program on or through any website other than the Designated Sites. Further, neither MGCC nor any of its partners will charge any fees to apply for a grant under the Program and we recommend that you avoid any third-parties purporting to charge fees for you to apply.

OVERVIEW

MOVIE THEATER GRANT PROGRAMS

As of May 19, 2023, a new version of the program launches with the following changes to eligibility requirements:

• Non-Profits are now eligible
• Businesses are no longer required to be independently-owned
• Businesses with tax return addresses outside of Massachusetts are now eligible (must still have an operating theater in Massachusetts)
• Businesses that are chains are now eligible
• Businesses that are dominant in their field of operations are now eligible 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $3,000,000 available to support movie theaters in the Commonwealth negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program targets movie theaters in the Commonwealth that: (a) have had not less than $15,000 in box office ticket sales in calendar year 2019, (b) have experienced a decline in box office sales between calendar year 2019 and subsequent years, or portions thereof, of 40 percent or more: (c) be physically located in the Commonwealth; and (d) have no current tax liens on record with the department of revenue at the time of application.

Priority shall be given to applicants with 4 screens or fewer and those headquartered in Massachusetts. 

Eligible applicants shall receive $15,000 per screen for each of the first 2 screens at a particular location and $10,000 per each additional screen at a particular location. 

This project is being supported by federal award number SLFRP1025 awarded to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. These funds were appropriated through the Commonwealth’s FY2023 Economic Development Bill. 

A business and/or business owner will be ineligible for this grant program if they have received a grant from MGCC in 2022 or 2023, with the exception of a grant from Biz-M Power or Empower Digital, including: 

• New Applicant Grant Program 
• Inclusive Grant Program 
• 2023 Inclusive Funding Opportunity 

A business and/or business owner is eligible to receive only one grant in total from the Movie Theater Grant Programs or subsequent MGCC’s grant programs in 2023. 

To download and review full details on the program's rules and eligibility requirements, click here: 

Version 1: March 31, 2023 - May 19, 2023

Independent Movie Theater Grant Program Overview & Required Documentation 

Version 2: May 19 - June 16, 2023

Movie Theater Grant Program Overview & Required Documentation

GRANT AMOUNTS

Maximum grant amount will be based on the application pool received, with the following criteria:

• $15,000 for each of the first two screens at a particular location

• $10,000 for each additional screen at a particular location

Need Help?

Contact Customer Service:

movietheatergrant@massgcc.com

Customer Service Hours:

Monday - Friday

9:00am - 5:00pm EST