New pilot program encourages employer investment in affordable, high-quality child care to support working families and strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy and workforce
"We know that far too many parents are being held back from returning to the workforce because of the daunting cost of child care. And that innovative solutions that expand access to affordable care are critical for our economic growth. The Employer Child Care Innovation Fund will support the success of our child care providers and create more affordable child care options for parents so that they can get back into the workforce. We’re grateful to the Legislature for their partnership on creating this transformative program."
Employers in Massachusetts have been facing a growing challenge: finding and keeping talent. As child care barriers continue to sideline skilled workers, particularly caregivers, employers understand that child care is a business issue.
As highlighted in the Administration’s Workforce Agenda, investments in “work supports,” particularly child care, are vital to attracting and retaining talent in Massachusetts. Affordable and reliable child care not only helps working caregivers participate fully in the labor force but also boosts employer productivity and enhances the state’s economic competitiveness. The ECCIF is built on the understanding that child care is not just a personal employee issue, it’s an infrastructure issue, an economic development issue, and a talent retention issue.
By investing in child care solutions, employers can:
- Improve recruitment and retention
- Reduce absenteeism and boost productivity
- Enhance their reputation as family-friendly workplaces
- Contribute to the long-term sustainability of their regional workforce
That’s why the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), in collaboration with the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), has officially launched the Employer Child Care Innovation Fund (ECCIF), a $2.5 million pilot program designed to help Massachusetts employers expand access to affordable, high-quality child care for working families.
The Employer Child Care Innovation Fund (ECCIF) isn’t just a grant; it’s an invitation for employers and their community partners to become active changemakers in solving one of the state’s most pressing workforce challenges. Through this competitive matching grant program, ECCIF encourages the development and testing of innovative, sustainable solutions that tackle two critical needs: making child care more affordable for families and expanding capacity in the early education and care sector.
Grantees are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match, demonstrating their commitment through a mix of cash and in-kind contributions. This structure not only amplifies the impact of state funding but also fosters meaningful investment from the employer community.
But the support doesn’t stop at funding. ECCIF awardees will also gain access to research resources to help evaluate their impact and extract valuable insights. In addition, they’ll join a Community of Practice, a collaborative network of fellow grantees working together to share strategies, learn from each other, and collectively advance child care innovation across the Commonwealth.
At the heart of the Employer Child Care Innovation Fund (ECCIF) is a bold vision: to reshape the way Massachusetts supports working families and the child care providers they rely on. The program is designed to make a measurable impact in three key areas.
First, it aims to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care, making it easier for working parents across the Commonwealth to stay in the workforce without compromising on care for their children.
Second, the fund supports efforts to strengthen and grow the early education and child care sector itself, recognizing that increased demand must be matched with investments in provider capacity, workforce development, and infrastructure.
Finally, ECCIF is a call to action for employers to embrace and implement family-friendly policies and benefits, encouraging businesses to play a more active role in supporting their employees’ caregiving needs through flexible work arrangements, financial assistance, and innovative partnerships.
Together, these goals represent a comprehensive approach to building a more supportive, resilient, and competitive workforce in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts has always led the way on innovation; in biotech, in education, in clean energy. Now it’s time to lead in workforce innovation, and that means rethinking how we support working families. The Employer Child Care Innovation Fund offers a powerful opportunity to test new ideas, strengthen communities, and build a more inclusive economy.
If you’re an employer ready to move beyond business as usual, this is your chance to invest in your workforce and in the future of Massachusetts.
Visit the Commonwealth Corporation Foundation’s ECCIF page for full details on eligibility, application requirements, deadlines, and technical assistance resources.
Who Can Apply?
This opportunity is open to a broad range of applicants, including:
- Massachusetts employers (or consortiums of employers) in good standing
- Licensed nonprofit early education and child care providers (including family child care providers and nonprofit-controlled centers)
- Nonprofit intermediary organizations such as:
- Chambers of commerce
- Community-based organizations
- Community foundations
- Community colleges
Eligible workers must be payroll employees (not contractors) of Massachusetts employers, and must be working within the state.
What Kind of Projects Will be Funded?
The ECCIF encourages innovation and allows for a wide variety of approaches, including:
- Offering tuition benefits for employees
- Shared-cost models where employers, employees, and the state co-invest in child care
- Community infrastructure investments to increase regional child care capacity
- Expanding or reserving seats in existing child care centers
- Building on-site or near-site child care facilities
- Sponsoring Dependent Care Assistance Plans (DCAPs)
- Implementing flexible work schedules aligned with caregiving needs
The fund is intentionally flexible, allowing applicants to design solutions that reflect local needs, workforce demographics, and organizational capacity.
Prioritization and Equity:
While applications from any industry or region are welcome, ECCIF will prioritize proposals that align with the Commonwealth’s workforce and equity goals.
Priority industries include:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Health Care and Human Services
- Life Sciences
- Energia limpia
Geographic and population-based priorities:
- Areas with child care shortages or rural regions
- Families with nontraditional work hours
- Low-income families
- Infants, toddlers, and children with high needs
- Historically underserved communities
Other competitive advantages include:
- Serving a large number of employees
- Efficient use of existing resources
- Clear sustainability plans beyond the pilot phase
How to Apply
A request for an “Expression of Interest” (EOI) for the ECCIF is now being accepted. Interested employers, providers, and intermediaries should act quickly as this is a competitive pilot program, and funds are limited. Expressions of Interest are due at 4PM on November 3rd, 2025.
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