The Massachusetts Child

Mass Child 4 Color

Helping Students in Need 

The Massachusetts Child is a charitable corporation founded by MTA members in 1996 to help students struggling with financial need. Mass Child is a reimbursement program available to all MTA preK-12 local associations. Members use funds from their local associations to purchase qualifying items for students, and Mass Child reimburses the local associations. Please note that Mass Child cannot reimburse individual members; all grant applications must have the signature of the local president.

What We Reimburse: Types of Grants
Standard Grants

Mass Child Standard Grants

MTA locals with fewer than 500 members are eligible for reimbursement grants of up to $1,000 during the course of the school year. Locals with 500 or more members can receive grants totaling $2 per member.

Standard grants can be used to reimburse purchases of clothing, shoes, hygiene products and eyeglasses, as well as school supplies that are not usually provided by the district such as backpacks, notebooks and pens. Many locals use the grants to make sure that students have appropriate winter clothing. 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.

Apply

Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Wellness Grant

The Massachusetts Child

Local associations can use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Wellness Grant to reimburse purchases of items that assist the physical, mental and emotional health of students experiencing financial need. Locals can apply for up to a maximum amount of $1,000 within the school year. 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.

Apply

Give Books to Kids in the Summer

Mass Child Reading Grants

Summer Reading Grants are designed to get books into the hands of students for their enjoyment.

Mass Child received a large donation in 2018 specifically for literacy initiatives. This led to the creation of the Summer Reading Grant, designed to get books into the hands of students for their enjoyment. Every preK-12 local can apply for reading grants up to $500. Books must be intended for specific children in need. Ideally the book selections will not be required reading, but books that students themselves choose to read during the summer break. The application process for Summer Reading Grants begins on May 1.

Apply

Extracurricular Assistance

Help for students so that they can participate in extracurricular activities requiring school-based fees.

Mass Child Extracurricular

Thanks to a grant from the blumshapiro Foundation, Mass Child can provide some assistance with funding for extracurricular activities. Local associations can apply for up to $100 to reimburse financial assistance provided to students so they can participate in extracurricular activities requiring school-based fees. For example, the grant can be used toward a needy student’s portion of the cost for field trip admission fees or transportation and for fees required to participate in enrichment opportunities, and clubs or on athletic teams. To see if an expense qualifies for reimbursement, email MTA Staff Consultant Scott McLennan at smclennan@massteacher.org.

Apply

How to Participate

Mass Child Logo

Go shopping. Using funds from your local, buy the qualifying items for students with financial need.

Submit the reimbursement form & receipts. Complete the online Mass Child grants application, being sure to indicate the approval of the local president. A mail-in form is available and can be sent with original receipts to The Massachusetts Child, MTA Division of Communications, 2 Heritage Drive, 8th Floor, Quincy, MA 02171-2119. Receipts should contain only the items pertaining to the reimbursement request.

Get Reimbursed. Checks are sent to locals after requests are reviewed at Mass Child Board meetings. Checks are made out to the local associations.

Meeting Schedule & Resources

The Mass Child Board will review and approve applications at its scheduled meetings on:

  • October 19, 2023
  • January 11, 2024
  • March 14, 2024
  • April 11, 2024
  • June 13, 2024

Reimbursement checks will be sent to local associations after applications have been approved at each meeting. Applications received after 12 p.m. on June 13, 2024 will be carried over for review at the first meeting of Fall 2024.

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 smclennan@massteacher.org with any questions you have prior to committing your local’s funds.