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Mass. EEC launches large EEOST capital grants; pre-application due Feb. 5
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Summary
The Department of Early Education and Care and affiliated administrators outlined eligibility, deadlines and scoring for the 2026 EEOST large capital grants (projects $500,000'$1,000,000). Key requirements include nonprofit status, 50% low-income slots, site control and reimbursement rules.
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and partners on Jan. 1 held an information webinar for the Early Education and Out-of-School Time (EEOST) large capital grant round, outlining who can apply, what the awards may cover and how applications will be scored.
Theresa Jordan, director of the Children's Investment Fund, said the session was intended to explain eligibility and the application timeline and confirmed that materials and Q&A responses will be posted to COMMBUYS and EEC's website. "These grants are for center-based nonprofit programs only," Jordan said, emphasizing that family child-care providers and for-profit centers are not eligible.
The large round will award grants from $500,000 up to $1,000,000 per project. Bree Horwitz, a presenter with the Children's Investment Fund, said the program has operated since 2013 and was reauthorized in 2024 by the Affordable Homes Act; EEC has designated the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CDAC) to administer the large round, while MassDevelopment will administer a separate small-grant round ($250,000'$500,000).
Who is eligible and the affordability requirement Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt nonprofit organizations organized under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 180 and must hold an EEC license in good standing. Horwitz said at least 50% of slots at a funded facility must serve low-income families who receive income-tested public subsidies such as EEC or Head Start subsidies, MassHealth, Section 8 or SNAP. "Universal pre-K does not count as a public subsidy for this purpose," she added.
Site control, leases and land-use restrictions Applicants must demonstrate site control at pre-application. If purchasing, applicants should provide a countersigned purchase-and-sale agreement or deed; if leasing from a private landlord a minimum 15-year lease is required, while leases from public entities must typically run at least 25 years. Horwitz said the large grant carries a recorded land-use restriction and a mortgage-like instrument to protect program objectives if a provider later ceases to offer child care.
Timing, reimbursements and project completion Jasenia Gill, who discussed readiness and scoring, said EEOST funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis. Eligible project expenses generally include costs incurred up to one year before the pre-application (Feb. 5, 2025); acquisition costs may be reimbursed to two years prior (Feb. 2024). Grantees are expected to budget for closing legal costs; organizers recommended including at least $5,000 for EEOST-related legal work.
Key deadlines and process Organizers said the pre-application is required and must be submitted through the Cognito Forms platform by Feb. 5, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Applicants found preliminarily eligible will be invited to submit a full application; full applications are due June 4, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Invited applicants typically receive in-person site visits in June or July, and award announcements are expected in September 2026. Projects must complete predevelopment and reach financial closing within 12 months of award and generally complete construction within two years, though EEC may grant extensions in some cases.
Scoring priorities and application content Gill outlined six scoring areas: accurate presentation of project costs, readiness and feasibility, organizational financial stability, site considerations, a social vulnerability index adjustment, and seven preference areas. Preference points may go to projects that serve 80% or more low-income slots, address EEC priority populations (such as children experiencing homelessness), improve accessibility, are located in gateway cities, use vendors from the State Supplier Diversity Office, or have not previously received an EEOST grant.
Application preparation guidance and Q&A highlights Presenters advised applicants to assemble an experienced development team (including an owner's project manager) at least three months prior to pre-application, produce credible cost estimates (one professionally prepared estimate is acceptable at pre-application), and document sources and uses in the required Excel templates. On Q&A, organizers clarified that some predevelopment work (demolition, testing) is common but reimbursement eligibility depends on its timing relative to the pre-application window.
Contact and next steps The panel urged applicants to submit questions by Jan. 15 so responses could be posted around Jan. 22; specific program questions may be directed to EEC staff Jose Mendez or Ellen Song (emails provided during the session). Materials and slides will be posted on COMMBUYS and EEC's website. The agency also advised prospective applicants to reach out to MassDevelopment regarding the small-grant round.
