- Office of State Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg
- Office of Economic Empowerment
Media Contact
Andrew Napolitano, Communications Director, Office of State Treasurer and Receiver General
BOSTON — State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) announced the recipients of its BabySteps Enrollment Hub Grant. Community-serving organizations across Massachusetts will receive funding to help families enroll in BabySteps, an initiative from OEE that provides a free $50 deposit when families open a MEFA U.Fund 529 account for their child within one year of birth or adoption.
"For six years, BabySteps has helped Massachusetts families start saving early for their children’s future education,” said Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “Every young person deserves a real chance at affordable college, vocational training, or other post-secondary opportunities. These grants will help expand enrollment in BabySteps for those who need it most.”
OEE will fund 10 organizations, committing a total of $25,000 to the project. Grantees will help spread the word about BabySteps, guide families through the enrollment process, and encourage ongoing engagement with their children’s savings. Organizations applied through a publicly advertised procurement process earlier this year.
“At MEFA, we believe every family should have the opportunity to start saving for a child’s future education,” said Thomas Graf, Executive Director of MEFA. “Trusted community organizations across the Commonwealth play a vital role in connecting families with valuable resources and helping them take the important first step to secure their child’s future. BabySteps creates an opportunity for families to begin saving early with the U.Fund.”
The award recipients are:
| Organization | City/Town |
|---|---|
| East Boston Social Centers | Boston |
| Transitional Remedy Solutions | Boston |
| Harvard St Neighborhood Health Center | Boston |
| Victory for Families | Brockton |
| La Comunidad | Everett |
| Si, Se Puede | Lawrence |
| NFI Massachusetts | Lowell |
| United Way Greater New Bedford | New Bedford |
| United Way Pioneer Valley | Springfield |
| Worcester Community Action Council | Worcester |
Funding for the grant will be provided by the Economic Empowerment Trust Fund. The Fiscal Year 2023 budget included $500,000 in funding for the Trust to support the BabySteps program and lower barriers to savings for people living in priority communities across Massachusetts. The Hildreth Stewart Charitable Foundation, led by Bob Hildreth, a champion of equity in higher education, contributed $300,000 to the effort.
“Congratulations and thank you to all of the community organizations helping to enroll families into BabySteps,” said Bob Hildreth. “Your work, led by the Treasurer’s Empowerment Office, is growing the number of citizens in the Commonwealth saving for their children to go to college."
BabySteps has provided $50 seed deposits to over 64,000 accounts for a total of over $3.2 million saved for Massachusetts children. Money in these accounts can be used for education costs like college tuition, vocational training, apprenticeship costs and more. To learn more, visit mass.gov/babysteps.
About the Office of Economic Empowerment
Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment, led by a deputy treasurer, with the deliberate goal of implementing a range of economic empowerment initiatives that include closing the race and gender wage gap, addressing racial equity, increasing access to financial education, and creating pathways to economically stable futures for all residents across the state. To learn more, visit mass.gov/OEE.
About the Hildreth Stewart Charitable Foundation
The Hildreth Stewart Charitable Foundation is dedicated to empowering low-to-moderate-income families by providing them with educational opportunities, social support systems, and financial resources necessary for their well-being.
The projects our donor, Robert Hildreth, initiated exemplify our mission, reflecting our willingness to tackle challenging issues and our deep passion for creating a more equitable society.
About MEFA
MEFA is a state authority, not reliant on state or federal appropriations, established under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 15C. MEFA’s mission, since its founding in 1982, has been to help Massachusetts students and families access and afford higher education and reach financial goals through education programs, tax-advantaged savings plans, competitive loans, and expert guidance. All of MEFA’s work aligns with the ever-present goal to support the independence, growth, and success of Massachusetts students and families. Visit mefa.org to learn more.
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Media Contact
Office of State Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg
