Boston — 14 grantees to receive up to $4,500 towards starting a childcare business
The State Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), in partnership with Citizens, is accepting applications for the Childcare Startup Grant program. This initiative provides startup funding and educational training for individuals interested in opening a family childcare program in the cities of Lynn and Springfield.
14 grantees will receive up to $4,500 toward business expenses to start their childcare business. Applicants must be residents of Lynn or Springfield; two cities that are designated as childcare deserts in Massachusetts. Grantees will participate in educational webinars to learn about running a small childcare business. The webinars will be administered by Citizens and other local organizations.
Applications will be accepted until August 5th at 5:00PM. Those interested should visit https://bit.ly/ChildcareStartupGrant to complete the application and submit other required materials.
“The cost of childcare is insurmountable for far too many families in Massachusetts,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “We are hopeful that these grants will empower local entrepreneurs to start and grow successful businesses that offer affordable childcare services within their own communities.”
“We are committed to building stronger communities,” said Lisa Murray, president, Citizens, Massachusetts. “Through this partnership with the Office of Economic Empowerment, we saw a unique opportunity to help address significant childcare gaps in these two cities. By investing in small business development in this way, we are also helping families access local affordable care so they can remain in or return to the workforce.”
The Childcare Startup Grant is designed to increase the number of childcare seats available to parents and create jobs. This initiative will empower Lynn and Springfield residents with the knowledge, funding and skill set needed to open and run a home-based childcare business. OEE will run this initiative with generous support from Citizens.
About the Office of Economic Empowerment
Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) with the goal of increasing financial stability for everyone in Massachusetts. The office works to promote programs that serve women, families, high school students, Veterans, and seniors. Its initiatives focus on closing the race and gender wage gap, racial equity, increasing access to financial education, improving college affordability, and investing in STEM careers and education.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $226.7 billion in assets as of June 30, 2022. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,300 ATMs and approximately 1,200 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.
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