Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation Game Changers
Early Education Grant Program
Presented by Amica
Official Rules and Instructions
The Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation (“BCSF”), in partnership with Amica Companies Foundation (“Amica,” and together with BCSF, the “Sponsors,” and each a “Sponsor”), is excited to announce the launch of the BCSF Game Changers Early Education Grant program presented by Amica (the “Program”), a scalable, early childhood education initiative to increase access to high-quality learning experiences for children ages 0-5 in under-resourced New England communities. BCSF has partnered with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (“LISC”) through their Rhode Island Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund (“RICCELFF,” and together with LISC, the “Host”), to administer this Program.
During the Program’s inaugural year, two early education providers will be selected through this process to each receive one $50,000 grant.
Grant Use
The one-time grant of $50,000 will be available for:
●Repairs to existing spaces necessary to address health and safety issues, make quality improvements, reconfigure spaces to enhance capacity, or any combination thereof.
●Development of new, high-quality spaces, which may include planning and feasibility activities, new construction, rehabilitation of vacant or blighted properties, or expansion to existing facilities.
●Additional uses, as approved by the Sponsors.
Projects are expected to be completed within one to two years of grant funding.
Funding will be disbursed by BCSF. This is an advance-based Program, i.e., grant funds will be disbursed in a single installment before the project starts upon satisfactory completion of the disbursement conditions outlined in the Recipient Agreement (as defined below) between BCSF and the Grant Recipient (as defined below).
By applying to the Program, applicants agree to be bound by these rules and instructions (the “Official Rules”) and the Sponsors’ determinations regarding the Program, which are final and binding. The Program is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and is void where prohibited. There is no purchase necessary or other cost to apply to the Program.
Please read all the Terms and Conditions here: Terms and Conditions
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Program, early education providers must meet the following criteria as of the submission date of the application. Applications must be completed by an authorized representative applying for the Program, and be a legal resident of one of the fifty United States, DC, or Puerto Rico and 18 years of age or older.
1. Be a public charity exempt from Federal income tax pursuant to Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code (you must be a non-profit organization).
2. Be based and operate in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, or select areas of Connecticut (see eligible zip codes here: CT Eligible Zip Codes) within the Celtics Home Territory, or subject to NBA approval.
3. Serve children ages 0 through 5 primarily, with one or more of the following demonstrable goals:
●Expanding access to early childhood education.
●Supporting school readiness.
●Enhancing family engagement within early childhood education.
●Building the early childhood education workforce.
4. Demonstrate the capacity to begin the project within six months of receiving funds.
5. Commit to tracking and reporting key performance metrics and participating in Sponsor-led evaluation activities.
6. Not be engaged in illegal, potentially illegal, or illegitimate activities.
7. A business is not eligible to apply to the Program if it is owned by, or employs, any individual who is (a) an employee of any Released Party (as defined below), (b) a household member (legally related or not) of any employee of any Released Party, or (c) an immediate family member (i.e., spouse, parent, legal guardian in-law, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or child) of an employee of any Released Party.
8. The potential recipients are subject to verification of eligibility by each Sponsor or Host.
Selection Process
Applications for this Program will be accepted during the “Application Period” starting on March 15, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. and ending on April 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Sponsors reserve the right to shorten or lengthen the Application Period for any reason in its sole discretion. The Host’s computer is the official timekeeper for all matters related to the Program.
Applications will be reviewed by LISC to confirm eligibility based on accurate and complete submission. You will receive a notification via e-mail if you are selected as a grant recipient. As a potential recipient, additional documentation may be required for LISC to perform the due diligence required by the Program’s funding source and site visits may be conducted. Final decisions will be made by the Sponsors.
How to Apply
1. Confirm your eligibility: Please refer to the “Eligibility Criteria” section above and make sure you meet the criteria.
2. Prepare your narrative document: You will need to upload a completed copy of this narrative document as part of your application. Please download the template, save it to a safe location on your computer, and complete it prior to starting the online application: Narrative Document
3. Complete the application form: To begin the online application process, please click the button below:
Please note that the application functions best when opened in Chrome or Edge browsers. You will have the option to save your application by entering your email and a password. You will be emailed a link to continue your application (please check your junk/spam folder if you do not receive it). You will see a confirmation page after successful completion of this application. Limit: one entry per early education provider. Multiple entries received for any single, early education provider location after the first entry received from that early education provider location will be void.
If you have questions about this Program or technical difficulties with the submission of your application, please contact the RICCELFF team at riccelff@lisc.org with the subject “BCSF Grant Program”.