This week, Children’s Investment Fund, Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), and the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) announced that seven non-profit providers of early childhood education and out-of-school time organizations received $6.5 million from the Early Education and Out of School Time (EEOST) Capital Fund for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20). The EEOST Capital Fund – which is financed through the Baker-Polito Administration’s Capital Budget and managed by the Children’s Investment Fund, CEDAC, and EEC – helps non-profit center-based organizations that serve primarily low-income families and communities to renovate or build new, high-quality child care facilities.
“The current public health crisis underscores the need for safe learning environments that support the healthy growth and development of all children,” said Samantha Aigner-Treworgy, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. “We are thrilled to be able to support these seven programs across the Commonwealth as they turn their projects into reality.”
Since 2014, the EEOST Capital Fund has made annual awards of $4 million, but last year, an additional $2.5 million was made available for grants. The $6.5 million allocated for the FY20 EEOST grants will leverage more than $36 million in additional public and private financing to improve learning environments for 877 children. Over 80% of the children currently served in these programs are from low-income families. Learn more in the press release here.
We are grateful for the Baker-Polito Administration’s continued investment in early education and care programs, and we look forward to working with each organization that received FY20 EEOST awards to help move their facility projects to completion. Congratulations to the following early learning organizations:
- Berkshire Family YMCA
- Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield
- Community Action Incorporated
- East Boston Social Centers
- Guild of St Agnes
- Old Colony YMCA
- South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC)
Click below to watch video greetings from three of the awardees: Berkshire Family YMCA, Community Action Incorporated, and East Boston Social Centers.
