The Massachusetts Child
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.
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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.
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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.
What We Reimburse: Types of Grants
How to Participate
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:
- November 17, 2022
- January 19, 2023
- March 16, 2023
- April 6, 2023
- June 8, 2023
Reimbursement checks will be sent to local associations after applications have been approved at each meeting. Applications received after 12 p.m. on June 8, 2023 will be carried over for review at the first meeting of Fall 2023.
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.