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Make A Difference Fund Grant

The New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC) provides financial support to individuals or NEACAC affiliates who assist students in the transition to college. These grants are intended to provide assistance to individuals who might otherwise be unable to participate in professional development opportunities or to implement a new innovative program. Projects, programs, and activities funded by the Make A Difference Fund should serve as examples of professionals doing their best to further their own professional development or better the way in which we work with our college-bound students.   

Grants awarded from the Make A Difference Fund are designed to support and encourage collaborative relationships and provide professional opportunities for all members.

The purpose of the Fund is to provide monetary support for:

  • Innovative pilot programs, ideas or services, and other professional development opportunities that benefit NEACAC members and the constituents they serve.
  • Matching grants to attend NACAC or NEACAC conferences, as well as other professional development workshops.

Recipients of a Make a Difference Fund Grant will be required to write a report within one month after the project/activity ends AND write a brief article for the next edition of the NEACAC newsletter.

Selection Process

Grants are awarded twice a year, in September and in March.  Applications for the Fall grants are due by June 15; applications for the Spring grants are due December 15.  The amount of the grants will vary. Anticipated grants will range from $500 to $2000.

Application for the Fall Grant Cycle 2024 is now closed.

Application for the Spring 2025 Grant Cycle is now open! Deadline to submit, December 15th.

Priority will be given to applicants who meet the following criteria:

For Special Projects/Activities

  • The application is complete, detailed, and thoughtful.
  • The application provides a detailed plan for the use of grant funds.
  • The applicant has sought additional funding or matching funds from other sources.
  • The application includes details about sustainability of the project or program in future years.
  • Applications that come from individuals or groups that have not received NEACAC funding in the past.
  • The potential, positive impact to the recipient(s) and the number of individuals served by the grant.
  • Grant requests that provide assistance to underserved constituencies.
  • Projects or activities which could be easily replicated.

For Professional Development 

  • The application is complete, detailed, and thoughtful.
  • The application provides a detailed plan for the use of the grant fund.
  • Applications that come from individuals or groups that have not received NEACAC funding in the past.
  • Grant requests that provide assistance to underserved constituencies.
  • Projects or activities which could easily be replicated.

Reimbursement Procedures

Grant funds will be reimbursed after they are spent. If funding is required in advance, such as conference registration, the grantee must submit a NEACAC expense reimbursement form.

Previously Funded Make a Difference Fund Grant Projects

Below you’ll find examples of grants the committee has previously funded. 

Contextual Learning Meets College Campus
Click here to see a recent project funded by the Make a Difference Grant between Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Dennis Yarmouth High School.  
Pathway to Success Day
The Make a Difference Fund provided Middlesex Community College (MCC) with the unique opportunity to offer a completely new recruitment experience to traditionally underprivileged, underserved student populations.  On December 8, 2016 MCC hosted over 100 Greater Lowell Tech, Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School and Lawrence High School seniors on our MCC-Lowell campus. The students were excited, engaged and very interested in hearing more about the academic resources, student engagement opportunities and financial advantages available to them at Middlesex Community College. Click here to read the full article. 
2nd Annual Supporting Access to Higher Education for Immigrant & Undocumented Students Conference
With the assistance of the Make a Difference Fund Grant, Katrina Buchta from Lewiston High School was able to attend this conference. Click here to read about her full experience.

Questions? 

Contact the IDEA Committee at [email protected].