About the Grant
BabySteps is a program offered by Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg's Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) that helps families start saving early for their children's future education. Through BabySteps, Massachusetts families can receive a free $50 deposit when they open a MEFA U.Fund 529 account within one year of their child's birth or adoption.
To expand access to the program, OEE is offering the BabySteps Enrollment Hub Grant to eligible public-serving organizations. Selected organizations will receive $2,500 to serve as BabySteps Enrollment Hubs that help spread the word about BabySteps and guide families through the sign-up process. Grantees will be trained to provide enrollment support and boost BabySteps engagement in their communities.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this grant, organizations must:
- Be located in the state of Massachusetts
- Be community and public-serving
- Have the ability to assist clients with BabySteps enrollment
- Have a large enough staff to support grant follow-through
- Have the ability to submit quarterly and annual project deliverables (example: tracking BabySteps families and family feedback)
- Have the ability to attend mandatory quarterly check-ins and other trainings as needed (4 to 8 hours per year)
Priority Communities
Priority will be given to organizations located in the following communities:
- Boston (Dorchester, East Boston and Mattapan)
- Brockton
- Everett
- Fall River
- Lawrence
- Lowell
- New Bedford
- Revere
- Springfield
- Worcester
Organizations applying for this grant are not required to have prior knowledge of BabySteps or 529 college savings accounts. OEE will provide training to all selected organizations.
Grant Timeline
The deadline to apply is June 15, 2026.
Public-serving organizations will be notified of a grant award no later than July 6, 2026. Applicants must submit a signed Massachusetts Standard Contract Form via DocuSign or Adobe Sign after being notified.
Implementation and reporting will be ongoing during the grant run from July 20, 2026 through June 25, 2027.
Apply
Applications for the Enrollment Hub Grant are now open and will close on June 15, 2026.