Game Development, Investment 2 min read

Boston Celtics and Amica Launch ‘Game Changers’ Grant for New England Early Education

Written by MOS Editorial Team

Published on 16 March 2026

The Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation (BCSF) and Amica Companies Foundation have announced an expansion of their community investment portfolio with the launch of the BCSF Game Changers Early Education Grant program.

This initiative is designed to bolster high-quality learning environments for children aged zero to five in under-resourced communities across New England.

In its inaugural year, the program will award two grants of USD50,000 (AUD71,000) each to selected early education providers.

The funding is specifically reserved for critical infrastructure and capacity-building projects, including health and safety repairs, the reconfiguration of existing spaces to enhance capacity, and the development of new facilities through construction or the rehabilitation of vacant properties.

The “Game Changers” program further cements the partnership between the Celtics and Amica, which recently saw the groundbreaking of a major early education centre in Providence’s Manton Heights.

The program is administered in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) via the Rhode Island Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund (RICCELFF).

This collaboration ensures that the capital is deployed effectively, with projects expected to reach completion within one to two years of disbursement.

Feature	Details
Grant Amount	$50,000 (AUD71,000) per recipient (2 recipients total)
Application Window	15 March 2026 – 15 April 2026
Eligible Regions	ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, and select CT postcodes
Target Demographic	Non-profit providers serving children ages 0–5
Disbursement	Single advance installment upon agreement execution

To qualify, applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) public charities and demonstrate the operational capacity to begin their proposed projects within six months of receiving funds.

The selection criteria focus on four strategic pillars: expanding access, supporting school readiness, enhancing family engagement, and building the early childhood education workforce.

Applications are processed through the LISC portal, requiring a comprehensive narrative document and site-specific project plans.

Following the 15 April deadline, LISC will conduct due diligence and site visits before BCSF and Amica finalise the grant recipients.

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