Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Support

Why This Matters

The Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants program has become essential to stabilizing and strengthening Massachusetts’ early education and care system. By providing predictable, monthly operational funding, C3 helps child care programs cover core costs like staff wages, benefits, rent, and supplies. This support has not only prevented widespread closures, helped retain and recruit educators, and preserved access to care for families across the Commonwealth, it has helped to expand access, with a 5% increase in licensed programs from 2020 to early 2025 (Source). Without C3, many providers would not be able to remain open, putting child care supply, workforce stability, and family economic participation at risk (Source).

How We’re Driving Change

MA ECFC funders supported Third Sector Capital Partners to provide guidance to the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) on the design and implementation of the C3 grants.

Timeline and Scale

EEC’s partnership with Third Sector Capital Partners began in the second half of 2020. MA ECFC funders supported Third Sector’s work during Phase 5, which ran from September 2022 through January 2023. C3 is now fully managed internally by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

What Happened

Launched during the pandemic, C3 was designed as a sector-wide stabilization strategy, offering non-competitive operational grants to eligible family child care providers and centers statewide. The program quickly became a backbone of the early childhood system, with providers using funds primarily to support workforce compensation and essential operating costs. Massachusetts extended C3 beyond initial funding through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signaling a long-term commitment to early education and care as essential infrastructure. Data consistently show that C3 plays a critical role in sustaining child care supply, supporting educators, and ensuring families can access care.

Resources and Key Documents

• Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Grants (Mass.gov)
• C3 Data Brief (Mass.gov)
• Importance of C3 Continuation for the Commonwealth (Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation)
• Key Takeaways from Importance of C3 Continuation for the Commonwealth

Current Status and What’s Next

Status: Project support complete; C3 funding has now been incorporated into the state budget.