Updated 6.9.2025
Please note that funding for training grants from the Workforce Training Fund Program has been exhausted for State Fiscal Year 2025 (July 2024 – June 2025). Applications for both Express Program and General Program grants have been paused until funds for State Fiscal Year 2026 (July 2025 – June 2026) are available. While specific dates are not yet available, we hope applications can be submitted again in July 2025. During our funding pause, you can still determine your eligibility and get ready to apply once our application reopens in July.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Documents to be uploaded at the time of application:
- Additional Compliance Checks that will occur after your application has been submitted:
The state of Massachusetts requires the Workforce Training Fund (both the Express and General Programs) to collect specific pieces of documentation to ensure a business is in compliance with their tax obligations to the state as well as payments into Unemployment Insurance, Unemployment Health Insurance, and the Workforce Training Fund through the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Below you will find more specifics regarding each of our compliance review requirements.
Important:
The legal name listed on your application, COGS, W-9, and with the DUA should all match, and should also match with any public filings made to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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Documents to be uploaded at the time of application:
- Certificate of Good Standing from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue
At the time of application submission, businesses should attach a valid Certificate of Good Standing (COGS) from the MA Department of Revenue (DOR) in the COGS section of the application.
- To be considered valid, a COGS must be:
- From the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. A COGS from the Secretary of the Commonwealth or from any other state is not a valid COGS.
- COGS should have a Notice Date within 6 months from the date of application submission.
- The legal name on the COGS should line up exactly with the current legal name of your organization as listed on your application (please refrain from utilizing DBA's on the COGS).
If you need to obtain a COGS from the MA Department of Revenue, you may do so here!
If you have any questions about your COGS, you can send a direct message to the DOR in your MassTaxConnect account for further assistance.
Form W-9, signed and dated within the current fiscal year (July-June)
As of 2/5/2024 the Express Program application will now require submission of a signed, up-to-date copy of Form W-9. W-9s should list the full legal name of the business, include the Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), and be signed by an authorized signatory.
As a state-funded program, the W-9 is required for our team to verify we are awarding grant funding to the correct legal entity. Our finance team also utilizes the W-9 to confirm that the business name and Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) lines up correctly with the company information that Commonwealth Corporation has on file.
You may use the same Form W-9 on multiple applications, provided all information on the form is still up-to-date.
- Certificate of Compliance from the MA Department of Unemployment Assistance verifying Workforce Training Fund Contributions
Starting for applications received in July 2025, you will be required to upload a valid Certificate of Compliance from the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) into your application. The Certificate of Compliance will verify compliance with DUA UI/UHI contributions, as well as confirmation that your organization pays into the Workforce Training Fund. The certificate will also verify the latest number of Massachusetts payroll employees that were filed with the DUA. The Certificate of Compliance is only compliant for a maximum timeframe of 1 month from the date of issue, so please make sure you are requesting a certificate close to when you will be applying for funding.
See above for an example of a valid Certificate of Compliance, and below for additional resources to help you obtain this Certificate of Compliance:
1. Directions to obtain a Certificate of Compliance: How Can I Obtain a Certificate of Compliance from the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA)? 2. The DUA has a few different certificates it might provide once you request one through their DUA portal. We will be looking for the certificate that confirms you are a WTF contributor. You can view examples of the different types of certificates here: |
If you are a non-profit, click here to learn more about whether you are eligible for the Express Program through Workforce Training Fund.
Additional Compliance Check that will occur after your application has been submitted:
- Debarment Check
During the application review process, we will check your business name against debarment lists provided by the state. We are unable to award funds to businesses that are on any of the debarment lists.
If any of the above checks come back as non-compliant, we will close your application and you will have to resolve the issue before reapplying. As a note, when an application is closed, the 21 day processing window restarts for any application resubmitted.
It's best to ensure all items listed above are in compliance before you apply with us!
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