Best Grants for Preschools in Massachusetts

The PLTW Engineering program expansion, supported by the Arthur Blanchard Charitable Trust, aims to enhance access to innovative educational opportunities for K-12 students in Massachusetts. Grants are designated for under-resourced schools to implement or expand PLTW programs, covering costs for additional courses, teacher training, and essential supplies. This initiative seeks to foster interest in engineering and technology among students, ensuring they receive a comprehensive education that prepares them for future careers.

CSX Charitable Investments provide essential in-kind donations to nonprofit organizations focused on supporting military members and community first responders. Through intermodal transportation services, CSX offers equipment and rail services to help reduce transportation costs for eligible organizations. The program also includes occasional donations of railroad materials and equipment based on availability. CSX prioritizes support for organizations operating within its service areas, promoting community betterment and development.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

The Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.

• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. 
• Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. However, some are also available to students who live in Berkshire County and Hartford County in Connecticut.
• We offer scholarships to those who attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States may apply.
• Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Raymond E. Carr Scholarship Fund

Supporting students attending American International College, Elms College, Springfield College, Western New England University or Westfield State University

The Charlesbank Homes Foundation Grant provides financial support for new construction, rehabilitation, and major repairs of affordable housing in Massachusetts. Grants range from $25,000 to $100,000, targeting low to moderate-income families. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations and submit a complete request with necessary documentation. The foundation favors projects under $10 million in total development costs and requires a capital plan for maintenance requests. Please allow three to six months for application processing.

MassDevelopment

MassDevelopment is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' development finance agency and land bank. We partner with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to help Massachusetts grow and thrive. We are committed to achieving three core goals: stimulating business, driving economic growth, and strengthening communities across the state. 

Early Education and Out of School Time (EEOST) Small Grant Program

The EEOST provides grants to tax-exempt nonprofit corporations, as defined by M.G.L. c. 180, and to organizations in which a non-profit corporation has a controlling interest, to develop or improve a child care facility in which at least 50% of the child care enrollment consists of low-income families who are eligible to receive public subsidy. Funding can be utilized for rehabilitation that may include but is not limited to major systems replacement, reconfiguration of classrooms, administrative and staff spaces, and the redesign and renovation of outdoor space.

• Category 1: Improvements to outdoor play spaces including the creation or enhancement of natural play spaces that integrate nature-based materials (e.g. rocks, water, logs, plants) to promote unstructured play, exploration, creativity, and connection to the outdoors.
• Category 2: Investment in improvements to heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems, including windows and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
• Category 3: Reconfiguration of indoor spaces, including classrooms, gross motor rooms, and bathrooms.
• Category 4: Emergency repairs and system upgrades that impact the health and safety of occupants including roof replacement and upgrading electrical and life safety systems. Information Technology upgrades or purchases are not eligible and will not be considered.
• Category 5: Physical environment modifications, including accessibility or other improvements to support the inclusion of children and adults with special needs.
• Category 6: Security enhancements to prevent and respond to potential threats including but not limited to the installation of security cameras and access control systems.

The Coby Foundation Grant is dedicated to supporting non-profit organizations in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions, focusing on innovative projects related to textiles and fashion. Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of inquiry with a project description and budget at least nine months prior to the project start. The foundation seeks exhibitions, public programs, and publications that enhance understanding of textile arts, while promoting underrepresented artists and cultures.

The Express Health Information Outreach Awards aim to enhance public health by increasing access to biomedical information for U.S. health professionals and the general public. These awards support projects that improve health information literacy among consumers and caregivers, ensuring they can effectively find and utilize health information. Focused on partnerships and outreach to underrepresented communities, the initiative seeks to promote healthy behaviors, prevent illness, and improve health outcomes through informed decision-making.

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism

Dougie Jr. was diagnosed with childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), a very rare autism spectrum disorder, when he was three years old. Dougie was typically developing until he started to lose his language, motor and social skills at age three. At the time, there were no services offered for people and families with autism. Doug and Laurie started the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism to help other people and families with autism have access to the same opportunities, therapies and programs to live life to the fullest.

Our mission is to help people and families with autism live life to the fullest. Our Vision is focused in a world where people with autism lead productive lives where they are included, respected, and actively engaged in their communities.

Playground Communication Boards Program

Rooted in the belief that every voice matters, our playground communication board uses images and symbols to bridge gaps in communication. Visual aids support a wide range of learners, including verbal, neurotypical peers, and promote inclusion of people with differing abilities. Our mission is to ensure everyone, regardless of their communication abilities, can express their thoughts, needs, and feelings; fostering a truly inclusive and engaging community.

We are excited to announce that grant applications are now open to playgrounds across Massachusetts as part of our vision: One Board in Every Town and City. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants will be notified of their status within 30 days of submission.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides leadership, oversight, funding, support, and accountability for the Commonwealth's approximately 400 school districts that educate close to 1 million public school children each year. We also oversees programs that serve 20,000 adult learners each year.

McKinney Vento Homeless Education and 21st Century Community Learning Centers — Family Engagement / Playful Learning Enhancement Grant

Purpose

The purpose of this federal targeted grant is to provide funding for districts to:

• Strengthen, enhance, and sustain effective and innovative family engagement strategies to improve students' attendance, academic engagement, social emotional well-being, and sense of belonging by developing family-school partnerships through the Family Institute for Student Success (FISS) model; and/or
• Support the Department's vision for deeper learning by building the collective capacity of districts, schools, and organizations to embed and sustain principles of playful learning into 21st CCLC out of school time programming for students in grades K–3.

Priorities

For applicants for FISS:

• Develop and implement culturally and linguistically responsive family engagement practices.
• Build staff capacity and create sustainable family engagement systems at the district and program level.
• Utilize the FISS curriculum to support improvements in attendance, literacy, social and emotional learning (SEL), and engagement practices.

For applicants for Playful Learning units:

• Provide participating educators, schools, and programs the opportunity to enhance and expand current practices and/or try new approaches to learning in which students are actively collaborating and engaging in playful learning that is coherently aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
• Contribute to the 21st CCLC Learning Library through the development of playful learning units aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Funding

• For FISS implementation planning: Approximately $150,000 is available. Eligible applicants may apply for up to a total of $20,000.
• For developing playful learning units: Approximately $100,000 is available. Eligible applicants may apply for up to a total of $8,000/site

Fund Use

For planning and implementation of Family Institute for Student SuccessFISS, funds may be used to:

• Provide stipends for FISS facilitators and recruiters, and 21st CCLC staff supporting FISS delivery and coordination.
• Develop multilingual outreach and communication, including translation, interpretation, and culturally responsive recruitment materials.
• Develop an implementation plan for family workshops and FISS modules aligned to early literacy, attendance, SEL, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) enrichment, and student agency skills.
• Develop evaluation, data collection, and family participation monitoring to support continuous improvement and outcome tracking.
• Develop FISS program materials and supplies needed for facilitation, family learning activities, and home-school partnership tools.
• Develop and coordinate strategies to reduce barriers to school attendance and engagement for students experiencing homelessness students and students participating in 21st CCLC programs.
• In collaboration with the DESE-selected professional development vendor, provide and engage in professional development and ongoing coaching for district staff to develop a plan and ensure the successful implementation, and long-term sustainability of FISS.

For developing playful learning units, funds may be used to support stipends for educators to develop and implement playful learning, participate in trainings, team planning time, curriculum development, supplies and materials.

The James M. Cox Foundation Grant offers support to nonprofit organizations focused on conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, and health. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and located in areas where Cox Enterprises operates. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines before Trustee meetings. Preference is given to organizations with a history of local engagement. This foundation embodies the philanthropic spirit of its founder, James M. Cox, by giving back to the community.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides leadership, oversight, funding, support, and accountability for the Commonwealth's approximately 400 school districts that educate close to 1 million public school children each year. We also oversees programs that serve 20,000 adult learners each year.

MA Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health with Coordination and Optimization of Resources and Partnerships (MA FRESH CORP)

Purpose

The purpose of this state-funded targeted grant program is to support MA FRESH CORP affiliates to ensure local food system activities - including local food system education and local procurement in Child Nutrition Programs - are strategically integrated into the classroom, cafeteria and community through investment in internal personnel or contracted partnerships that support institutionalized programs that promote food literacy. Grant funds will support further off-boarding technical assistance and guidance to support the retention of internal personnel and food system education workplans past the grant period.

Fund Use

MA FRESH CORP is designed to ensure local food system activities — including local food system education and local procurement in Child Nutrition Programs — are strategically integrated into the classroom, cafeteria and community through investment in internal personnel or contracted partnerships that support institutionalized programs. This funding seeks to support the retention of internal personnel and food system education workplans as awardees work to transition their programming model to other sustainable funding models.

Funding will be prioritized for the budget areas described below. Applicants may apply for up to 50% of the total funding expended for FY26 Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health Coordination and Optimization of Resources and PartnershipsMA FRESH CORP in the following budget categories. Total funding requests may not exceed $50,000.

• Professional Salaries: For the coordination and implementation of local food system education and/or local procurement by full-time, salaried and benefited positions, part-time positions, or for the expansion of hours/stipending of internal personnel - such as nutrition professionals, educators, or community/family stakeholders.
• Contracted Services: To provide technical assistance, coaching, professional development, the development of resources such as program protocols or curriculum and/or strategic planning consultation. The hiring of a contracted partner should be in service of cultivating program structures that elevate internal staff capacity and should not be used primarily to support the direct execution of direct farm to school programming by the contracted partner.
• Professional Development Expenses (Other Expenses): To attend farm to school, food literacy, agricultural or culinary oriented workshops, trainings, or conferences. Associated costs may include registration fees, travel fees, mileage, compensation/stipends for out-of-work time, or the cost of substitutes required to provide coverage for personnel attending professional development opportunities.

Equipment, supply, and infrastructure costs capped at 10% of the total budget request are allowable but will be contingent on budget availability once priority budget areas described above are funded for eligible applicants.

MA FRESH CORP awardees will be required to:

• participate in periodic grant meetings, professional development opportunities and technical assistance
• track local spending (dollar value) within Child Nutrition Programs during the grant period
• complete a funding succession plan

Priority will be given to MA FRESH CORP affiliates that:

• Have created a job description and/or consultant scope of work that ensures local food system activities are strategically integrated into the classroom, cafeteria and community
• Have current programming in all three core areas of farm to school: Classroom (such as food system curriculum and school garden activities), Cafeteria (such as local menu offerings) and Community (such as farm field trips, family engagement or food system partnerships).
• Have successfully onboarded farm to school personnel or contracted partners through MA FRESH CORP funding and are seeking to retain these personnel and contracted partnerships through the duration of the 2026-2027 school year
• Have effectively stewarded use of MA FRESH CORP funding awarded to date
• Are committed to identifying strategies for retaining farm to school personnel or contracted partners through alternative funding strategies outside of the MA FRESH CORP grant program
• Are willing to participate in program evaluation and off-boarding technical assistance activities, including the completion of a funding succession plan.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides leadership, oversight, funding, support, and accountability for the Commonwealth's approximately 400 school districts that educate close to 1 million public school children each year. We also oversees programs that serve 20,000 adult learners each year.

MA Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health (FRESH)

Purpose

The purpose of this state funded competitive grant program is to encourage National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Child Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) sponsors to start or expand their capacity to grow or procure local food and educate students, teachers, school nutrition professionals and staff about the local food system. Furthermore, this grant seeks to connect food system education to the availability of local foods served in school or early education meal programs through strategic planning and investment in internal staff positions and/or external partnerships.

Funding

Applicant proposals must be submitted in one of the following categories. Only one application will be accepted per Child Nutrition Program sponsor. Sponsors of both the NSLP and CACFP may only submit one application for consideration.

Applicants may apply for funding in one of the five following categories:

• New K–12 Farm to School Initiative Grants
• New Farm to Early Education Initiative Grants

["New" farm to school/early education initiatives engage in none or only one of the farm to school three "C's": Classroom (such as curriculum and school garden engagement), Cafeteria (such as local menu offerings) and Community (such as farm field trips or non-profit food system partnerships). Applicants that have been dormant in all farm to school activities for the last three years also qualify as "new."]

• Expanding K–12 Farm to School Initiative Grants
• Expanding Farm to Early Education Initiative Grants
• MA FRESH CORP Planning Grant

Fund Use

The program is designed to support K–12 and early education programs in food literacy initiatives that connect local food system education to the availability of local foods served in school or early education meal programs. Applicants will be asked to indicate all activities their MA FRESH application seeks to fund. Project activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Building a new garden for children
• Building a new indoor growing operation for children
• Developing classroom curriculums or lesson plans that support food literacy efforts
• Expanding in-school or child care programming to promote food literacy for children through gardening, cooking, taste tests and more
• Field trip(s) to local farm/food producers
• Expanding before/after school/child care programming that supports food literacy, and exposure to local foods for children and families
• Completing farm to school strategic planning, including the development of an action plan, job description(s) for food literacy coordination, or a scope of work for a contractor to cultivating program structures that elevate internal staff capacity in food literacy
• Professional development and training for educators to bring food literacy activities or curriculum to their classrooms
• Professional development and training for school nutrition professionals to integrate local, unprocessed or minimally processed ingredients into program meals
• Funds can only be used to fund new staff time or salaries because of new or expanded initiatives.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Professional Women in Construction - Boston Scholarship Fund

Professional Women in Construction (PWC) is a national, non-profit organization that seeks to support, advance, and connect women and promote diversity within the architecture, engineering, construction, and related industries. The Boston Chapter of PWC is proud to offer this scholarship to high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students; open to individuals of all genders. Applicants must be based in New England and plan to pursue or are currently pursuing a career in architecture, engineering, construction, or related trades and fields including trade school, community college, graduate degrees, etc.

In addition to pursuing a passion in the identified fields, award recipients will display strong leadership, community service, and extracurricular activities, and demonstrate strong financial need. The award can be used for any educational expense, including tuition, fees, class materials, professional tools, books, room and board, etc. This is a one-time award, but past applicants may reapply.

The Emma Miller Scholarship, offered by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, supports residents of Adams, Cheshire, or Savoy in pursuing their educational aspirations. In 2023, over $850,000 was awarded to students of various ages for trade schools, colleges, and graduate programs. This scholarship aims to provide opportunities for local high school seniors and other residents, helping them achieve their educational goals and contribute positively to the community.

The Island Foundation offers Alternative Education Grants aimed at supporting experiential education programs, after-school initiatives, and alternative education schools. Established in 1979, the Foundation emphasizes unconventional approaches that connect youth with their environment, promote community service, and embrace diverse learning styles. They prioritize funding for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, with a focus on maritime trades and programs benefitting at-risk youth.

The Massachusetts Urban Agriculture Grant Program aims to enhance food security and access to fresh produce in urban areas. It supports commercial projects for the production and marketing of food, focusing on long-term investments in infrastructure and innovative farming techniques. The program prioritizes initiatives that address soil quality, land acquisition, and community engagement, ensuring that urban farming benefits low to moderate-income neighborhoods and fosters local economic development.

The MA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Massachusetts by funding projects that promote marketing, research, and access to these crops. It addresses the USDA's goals and focuses on providing healthy, affordable food options while supporting underserved communities. The program runs from October 1, 2023, to September 29, 2026, and aims to improve economic opportunities in urban, rural, and suburban areas.

The Ralph J. Torraco Fine Arts Scholarship, offered by the UNICO Foundation, awards two $2,500 scholarships to U.S. students studying Fine Arts, including Performing, Visual, or Technical Arts. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0, enrolled full-time in an accredited college, and planning to continue their studies into the 2025-2026 academic year. This scholarship aims to support and promote Italian American culture and heritage through the arts.

The goal of MassDOT’s Community Transit Grant Program is to provide and strengthen the transportation services available to meet the mobility needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities. It is recognized that these populations have transportation needs which are often not met by conventional automobile or public transportation, and require specialized assistance to access services, employment, medical care, and other important destinations.  This grant is for  those who are interested in applying for funding to operate transportation or promote mobility management to expand mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income people. 

The Point32Health Foundation Grant focuses on advancing equity in aging by providing multi-year, general operating grants to nonprofits in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The foundation emphasizes collaboration with community organizations to address systemic inequities and improve health outcomes for older adults. Grant applications are accepted at various times, with specific deadlines for advocacy and social justice projects. The foundation seeks to honor the voices of those most affected by inequities.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that was created through the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and is administered at the State and territory level. CSBG funding supports activities that help to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower low-income families and individuals to become self-sufficient. In Massachusetts, CSBG funding is at the core of a network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) which mobilize resources and communities to fight poverty. Through CSBG support, CAAs can respond to the causes and conditions of poverty by delivering services and strategies tailored to meet priority needs unique to their communities.

The Clowes Fund focuses on supporting socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals in New England, particularly in Massachusetts. It offers grants for immigrant services, workforce development, arts education, and K-12 education, with specific priorities for communities with high immigrant populations. Applications are open to first-time grantees and returning organizations, with a strong emphasis on transparency and accessibility in the funding process.

Brookline Education Foundation

The Brookline Education Foundation (BEF) is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support excellence and innovation in the Public Schools of Brookline (PSB). Through its programs, the BEF enriches the professional growth of educators by recognizing and supporting them as they identify and pursue opportunities that will have the greatest impact on their practice, the lives of their students, and on their school communities.

To facilitate this work, the BEF sponsors three categories of grants for which eligible Brookline educators may apply: Educator (formerly called Teacher), Collaborative, and Idea Lab grants. 

Educator Grants

BEF Educator Grants are awarded to individual and small groups of teachers or administrators on the basis of short written proposals. Educator grants award up to $3,500 for each individual and typically fund professional development or renewal activities. They are not intended to provide curricular materials or fund classroom programs that the school department and PTOs support.

See information for applying educators here.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) offers Equity Workforce Training Implementation Grants to enhance access to training for individuals from underrepresented communities. Grants of up to $1,200,000 are available over two to three years for projects that create career pathways in climate-critical occupations. Applicants can propose initiatives focused on employment training, pipeline preparedness for adult learners, or capacity planning for effective training programs, aiming to address existing barriers and foster employer engagement.

The PLTW Launch program, supported by the Arthur Blanchard Charitable Trust, aims to enhance STEM education for K-12 students in Massachusetts. This initiative provides grants to under-resourced public and charter schools, enabling them to implement or expand PLTW Launch programs. By fostering interest in STEM disciplines, it helps prepare students for future careers. Eligible schools can apply for funding to offset costs related to program implementation, ensuring broader access to essential educational resources.

The PLTW Launch program, funded by the Arthur Blanchard Charitable Trust, aims to enhance access to STEM education for K-12 students in Massachusetts. Grants are available for under-resourced schools to implement or expand PLTW programs, covering expenses like training and necessary materials. This initiative not only supports educational growth but also empowers teachers and students, fostering a stronger foundation in science and technology. Schools can apply to benefit from this valuable resource for educational enhancement.

The Arthur Blanchard Charitable Trust collaborates with PLTW to enhance the accessibility of PLTW Gateway programs for K-12 students in Massachusetts. Grants are intended for the implementation or expansion of these programs in under-resourced schools, covering costs related to launching or expanding PLTW initiatives. Eligible applicants include public and charter schools in Massachusetts, and the grants support various allowable expenses, ensuring equitable access to quality education.