Now Accepting Proposals!
Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP) is releasing the Request for Proposals for the FY2026 – FY2027 State Mentoring Matching Grant (2 Year Cycle, Line Item 7061-9634) on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025. Funding is provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Funding is contingent upon the approval of the state budget. The budget for FY26 is currently $1.5 million.
Originally created in FY99, the Mentoring Matching Grant funding is the only state investment solely dedicated to expanding quality mentoring across Massachusetts. The primary goal of this funding is to increase the number of high-quality mentoring relationships through grants to public and private agencies as a strategy to assist in closing the achievement gap. Aligning with the Commonwealth’s primary goal, programs can use funding to enhance existing programming that utilizes mentoring relationships as a lever to promote positive youth outcomes in the areas of academic performance, self-esteem, social competence, and workforce development.
Two Year Grant Cycle
Mass Mentoring Partnership awards the Mentoring Matching Grants as a two year grant cycle. The expectation is that programs will be able to develop two year programmatic plans that support growth and sustainability. Through this two year grant cycle, we are investing in more intentional planning and evaluation of the impact on student success. Please note this grant cycle is for two years contingent on the appropriation of funds for the FY26 State Budget for the first year and FY27 funding for the second year of the award.
Programs who wish to apply for a Mentoring Matching Grant should be aware of the following:
- The RFP will launch on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025
- Completed grant application is due on May 12th, 2025
- Applicants will be notified no later than June 30, 2025 if they receive a grant award.
Funding is contingent upon the approval of the state budget.