Early Education and Out-of-School Time Capital Grants

The Capital Grants supports physical facility improvements at early education and out of school time programs that serve low income children.

Massachusetts provides capital grants to early education and care programs to expand capacity and improve the quality and accessibility of learning environments for children, ensuring they have safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate spaces to learn, play and grow.  

Overview of Capital Grants

Capital grants are made available through the Governor's Capital Investment Plan and are appropriated to the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). The Healey-Driscoll Administration released its updated Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2026–2030, totaling $16.6 billion. The Governor has allocated $11.3 million annually as capital investments for child care programs across the state. 

EEC partners with the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) and MassDevelopment, to award grants to EEC-licensed large group early education, out of school time programs and Family Child Care programs. The Capital grants provide matching funds that leverage private investment.

Capital Fund Projects

Since 2013, the capital grant program has awarded over $65 million to help fund over 125 projects.

Funding supports renovations and construction projects to expand capacity and improve the quality and accessibility of learning environments for children, ensuring they have safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate spaces to learn, play and grow.

The grant allows for a variety of improvements including, but not limited to, modifications to improve indoor air quality, emergency repairs such as roof replacement or upgrading electrical or security systems, and physical environment modifications addressing accessibility or other upgrades for classrooms, outdoor areas, and more. Previous capital projects have ranged from outdoor sensory paths to new keycard security systems to adding multiple classrooms and bathrooms at a center.

Small Capital Grants for Non-Profit Programs

This grant period is not currently open. Please check back soon for additional details.

Large Capital Grants for Non-Profit Programs 

Applications will be reviewed and scored with the expectation that construction will begin by September 30, 2027. Please note that if your project involves substantial renovation, construction, or HVAC work, you must have already worked with a development team and be far along in the process to be competitive.  

Pre-applications must be submitted online via the following link. Pre-applications will be due at 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, February 5, 2026.  

Please use the following links to attend the virtual information session on: 

• December 16 at 3:00 PM
• January 6 at 11:00 AM

Organizations invited to submit a full application by EEC will submit the full application and materials by 11:59PM EST on June 4, 2026 using a different online link that will be shared with those invited to apply. 

For any questions, please contact the Children’s Investment Fund team at [e-mail] 

Family Child Care Capital Grant

This grant period is not currently open. Please check back soon for additional details. 

Early Childhood Emergency Fund

The Early Childhood Emergency Fund supports all programs licensed by the EEC that have been forced to shut down or significantly alter normal operations due to unforeseen circumstances and require financial assistance to resume normal operations. Learn more here.