Mass Child Makes it Easy to Help Your Students
The Massachusetts Child gives local MTA associations representing preK-12 educators access to more than $2,000 every year to help students affected by financial hardship and poverty. Every preK-12 association can apply for the maximum eligible amounts of each grant type throughout the school year.
- Use funds from your local association to purchase qualifying items. Clothing, school supplies, eyeglasses, books, and health and fitness items are examples of qualifying items. Mass Child can only reimburse local associations and not individual members.
- Submit an application with receipts to the Mass Child board for review. The online application makes it easy to upload receipts. Local association presidents must acknowledge on the application their approval of using association funds for the items submitted for reimbursement.
- Receive reimbursement. The Mass Child board members meet five times throughout the school year to review applications. Reimbursement checks are sent shortly after each meeting. If you have any questions about whether a purchase qualifies for reimbursement, please contact Mass Child staff consultant Scott McLennan at [email protected].
What Mass Child Can Help Pay For
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Standard Grants
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Each local preK-12 association is eligible to receive up to $1,000 or more to help students in need with everyday essentials that schools normally do not provide but can contribute to a student’s ability to succeed. Locals with more than 500 members can receive an amount equal to $2 per member. Local associations have used the standard grant to purchase such items as winter coats and boots, shirts, pants, shoes, eyeglasses, hygiene products, backpacks and school supplies. Grants have also been used to assist vocational school students with license fees, work clothing and supplies that are not provided by the school. Items must be purchased for particular students. Mass Child will not reimburse “bulk” purchases of items to be distributed to students throughout the year.
Mass Child standard grants cannot reimburse purchases of food or gift cards. Mass Child grants cannot be used to purchase devices that would fall under a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or that are the responsibility of the district. A local does not need to apply for all of its eligible funds in one application.
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Wellness Grants
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Local preK-12 associations can apply for all up to $1,000 to reimburse purchases of items that assist the physical, mental and emotional health of students experiencing financial need. This grant can be used to address food insecurities with grocery gift cards (sorry, we cannot reimburse restaurant gift cards). It can also be used by locals if a student needs athletic equipment, items that facilitate physical activity, a bike helmet, or access to a program or activity that boosts self-esteem or physical well-being. Locals can be reimbursed with funds from wellness grants when helping students cover costs associated with school-organized trips and activities (proof of payment is required).
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Reading Grants
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Local preK-12 associations can be reimbursed up to $600 for books purchased for students experiencing financial need. Local associations have used the reading grant to help students participate in school-based book fairs and to provide students with books to read during summer break.
Meeting Schedule & Resources
Get the Facts
The Mass Child Board will review and approve applications at its scheduled meetings.
In the 2025-26 school year, meetings are scheduled on October 23, January 8, March 12, April 16 and June 11.
Reimbursement checks will be sent to local associations after applications have been approved at each meeting. Applications received after 12 p.m. on June 11, 2026, will be carried over for review at the first meeting of Fall 2026.
The Mass Child Board of Directors – made up of MTA members – assesses requests on a case-by-case basis. Feel free to email MTA staff consultant Scott McLennan at [email protected] with any questions you have prior to committing your local’s funds.
Help Students Facing Financial Hardships
Apply online
Mass Child accepts online applications for standard, wellness and reading grants.
Donate
Please donate to The Massachusetts Child, an MTA charity that educators use to help students facing financial hardships.
Donations can be accepted via the MTA’s Venmo account. The handle is @MTA-Donations, and it is important to write “Mass Child” in the “What’s it for” box. Checks can be sent to:
The Massachusetts Child
MTA Division of Communications
2 Heritage Drive, 8th floor
Quincy MA 02171-2119
