Grants and Application Form

Grant Opportunities

The New Bedford Day Nursery Fund (NBDNF) is a non-profit organization who encourage, support and fund educational and social opportunities for young citizens in the Greater New Bedford Area. The NBDNF’s mission is to promote, encourage and maintain the highest levels of educational programs for children from all economic backgrounds regarding cultural enrichment projects which will have a positive effect on their mental and physical growth.

The Board of Managers of the New Bedford Day Nursery Fund, Inc. is proud of its achievements over the years and feels that these grants have impacted, in a positive way, organizations that have been recipients of its funding. Our members hope that its founders would be pleased with the assistance that is being rendered to the children of the Greater New Bedford area in their name, and, while the organization is different in form from the original Nursery, it remains true to the spirit and intent.

Examples of Projects

Summer programs
After-school academic tutoring
Field trips
Cultural enrichment projects
STEAM activities

2026 Grant Recipients

* ThinkGive
* Dream Out Loud Center, Inc.
* Fall River Deaconess Home
* New Bedford Symphony Orchestra
* Community Autism Resources
* New Bedford YMCA
* New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
* Friends of the New Bedford Free Public Library
* Our Sisters’ School
* Dennison Memorial Community Center
* North Star Learning Centers
* Discovery Language Academy
* School on Wheels of Massachusetts Inc.
* YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts, Inc.
* Nativity Preparatory School New Bedford
* Whaling Museum
* Youth Opportunities Unlimited
* Community Boating Center
* Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass
* Compassion Coalition for Women & Children
* New Bedford Public Schools
* Art Museum New Bedford
* New Bedford Rowing Center, Inc.
* Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford

Use of Grant Funds

Grants may be used for purchasing materials, field trips, equipment and/or other costs associated with implementing the project. Grants may not be used for salaries or transportation fees.

Application Process

Our Grant process begins in March with an ad in the Standard-Times. The application must be completed and submitted on the last day of May no exceptions. The Grant proposals are presented to the Full Board at our June meeting. The Board of Managers will then review the proposals and vote at our October meeting. Your organization will be notified only if the grant application has been approved. The funding will be forwarded to your organization, in December, after the “GRANT AGREEMENT” form has been completed, signed, and returned.

Apply Online

The first step is to complete the application below.

The deadline for the application is May 31, 2026.

If your application is approved, you will receive an award letter and a grant agreement that must be signed and returned in order for the allocation check to be mailed.

Allocation checks are sent out in December 2026.

An end-of-project report must be sent to the NBDNF one month after completion of the project in order to be eligible for future funding.

The application, grant agreement, and end-of-project report link can be found on the right sidebar.

Grant Application (Updated 02/05/2026)

Project dates must begin and end in 2027.

Application available online: March 19, 2026
 Application deadline: May 31, 2026

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  • Section 1 - Application Information

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  • Section 2 - Proposed Budget (Revenue)





  • The amount you are requesting from New Bedford Day Nursery Fund represents X % of your total program budget


  • Section 3 - Proposed Budget (Expenses)

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  • Section 4 - Narrative

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