EEC announces $3 million Round 2 for Family Child Care Capital Grants after 158 Round 1 awards

Diana Figueroa, program manager for the Family Child Care Capital Grant program at the Department of Early Education and Care, briefed applicants on the results of Round 1 and on requirements for Round 2. "All award announcements were sent earlier this week on Tuesday, June 17," she said, and noted that award letters and a public list of awardees are posted on the EEC Capital Grants webpage and on mass.gov.

The program received more than 1,600 applications in Round 1 and funded 158 projects, an acceptance rate of about 9 percent. Figueroa said the awards covered a range of project types, including HVAC upgrades, tier 1 purchases of energy-efficient kitchen appliances, installation of fencing and outdoor-safety improvements, and home additions such as bathrooms or sunrooms to support child care use. Awards were distributed across the state with relatively even shares in the Northeast, Central and Western regions; Figueroa said Metro Boston, Southeast, and Cape regions had lower turnout.

Figueroa reviewed the common reasons applications were not selected and offered guidance for resubmission. "Successful applications typically clearly explain how the project would improve child care quality or increase capacity," she said, and she emphasized submitting a defined scope of work with itemized costs, valid homeownership verification, and a verified contractor. She warned reviewers see only what applicants submit: "Reviewers cannot make assumptions or ask for clarification." Applicants were reminded that all eligible requests must be within the program grant cap of $25,000.

The program manager said the department prioritizes projects that increase energy efficiency and that applicants planning energy-efficiency upgrades will score more highly. She pointed attendees to Mass Save incentives and resources linked in the slide deck.

Figueroa announced that Round 2 will launch in August 2025 with an expected $3,000,000 in funding available and reiterated eligibility and documentation changes. New Round 2 requirements include that applicants must be licensed and operating for at least four years; applicants must also confirm eligibility of expenses and be open at least four days a week to qualify. For tier 2 projects, she said before photos of the space will not be required. Award letters list additional requirements such as a W-9 form, an updated scope of work, and verification steps. "If you were awarded, technical assistance will be offered throughout the program, especially for more complex tier 2 projects," Figueroa said, and she added the department will schedule one-on-one meetings with awardees to guide next steps.

Figueroa cautioned that the estimated timeline for grant-funded work is contingent on an executed grant agreement and that no additional funding beyond Round 2 is guaranteed unless the state legislature acts. For applicants who were not selected, she encouraged reapplying and using the rejection code provided to target improvements. Help-desk contact information and the program guidelines were cited for further questions and technical-assistance requests.