The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office announced on Apr. 8 that it is seeking applicants for its 2026 Local Consumer Program, which offers funding to support local consumer programs across the state. The program aims to help residents address a variety of consumer issues and is funded by the office’s Local Consumer Aid Fund.
According to the announcement, grant awards are expected to range from $40,000 to $125,000 and will cover fiscal year 2027, running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
The grants use funds obtained through consumer protection settlements and are designed to support local efforts that assist consumers in resolving disputes with businesses on matters such as retail sales and housing. Recipients of these grants will work closely with the Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division to provide services including voluntary advocacy or mediation and consumer education within their communities.
In the previous year, local consumer programs handled about 8,690 out of approximately 24,000 complaints received by the office regarding unfair or deceptive business practices. Together with the Attorney General’s Office, these programs helped Massachusetts consumers save or recover more than $11 million in that period.
Eligible organizations encouraged to apply include nonprofit organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3), local government entities such as District Attorneys’ Offices or Mayor’s Offices providing consumer assistance services, as well as colleges and universities operating or interested in operating consumer programs. Further information about applying can be found on the Attorney General’s website at www.mass.gov/ago/grants.
