Based on what we heard, we gathered a list of more than 40 community resources for building wealth and financial literacy.
Do you have suggestions for resources we should add to this guide? Email us at mpi@globe.com.
Financial coaching, resources, and education
Action for Boston Community Development Tax Assistance
For those who meet requirements, ABCD provides free tax preparation
Boston’s Center for Working Families
A program that provides coaching and information on credit and asset building
Boston Tax Help Coalition
The city offers free tax preparation for Boston area residents who meet income requirements
Enrich
The Massachusetts State Treasurer’s office has an online personal financial education platform
Financial empowerment programming at the Boston Public Library
Different groups hold financial workshops on various topics
Green Space Financial Coaching
A program within Metro Housing Boston that provides in-person and virtual workshops
Jewish Vocational Service
Offers free financial coaching and education workshops
Worth & Wealth Seminars
Massachusetts offers free financial education webinars in partnership with Citizens
Financial literacy for kids
Financial Literacy Reading Lists
Massachusetts’ Office of Economic Empowerment offers suggestions for age-appropriate books for children
Youth Engaged in Action
A free summer program within ABCD that teaches 13-year-olds about financial wellness
Young Man With a Plan
A mentorship program for Black and Latino boys that teaches financial literacy
Jewish Vocational Service
The organization offers free access to career coaches
MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center
Provides free onsite and virtual career coaching
SkillUp Coalition
A nonprofit that offers free online career coaching
Entrepreneurship and business ownership
We Are ALX
A nonprofit that supports the state’s Latino business owners through initiatives, including a business program
Asian Business Empowerment Council
A council within the Asian Community Fund at the Boston Foundation that works to amplify the voices of the state’s AAPI business community
Black Economic Council of Massachusetts
A nonprofit that works to grow equity and build wealth for Black-owned businesses and communities in Massachusetts
Boston Ujima Project
An organization that supports business ventures in Boston’s communities of color
Latino Equity Fund
A fund under the umbrella of the Boston Foundation that provides grants to Latino-serving nonprofit organizations across the state
New Commonwealth Fund
A fund that provides grants to nonprofit organizations serving Black and Latino communities in the state
Community Legal Aid
Offers pro bono attorneys for civil legal matters for Central and Western Massachusetts residents
FreeWill
Offers free tools for estate planning, including for wills and durable financial power of attorney
Greater Boston Legal Services
Provides free civil legal representation for Greater Boston residents
Massachusetts Free Legal Answers
Website users can get their civil legal questions answered by pro bono attorneys
Mass Legal Help
Provides free information about legal rights for topics, including debt collection and health insurance
Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder
Shares information on legal matters, such as evictions, unemployment benefits, and wills
Volunteer Lawyers Project
Free civil legal assistance for matters such as family law, bankruptcy, and powers of attorney
ABCD: Housing Counseling Services, Foreclosure Prevention, and Rental Assistance
Provides help to residents in select cities with finding housing and preventing evictions and foreclosures
Boston’s Metrolist
Where to find income-restricted housing in the city
Boston’s Office of Housing Stability
The city connects residents with resources, such as shelters and affordable housing units
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program
Massachusetts gives short-term emergency funding to residents at risk of losing housing
Boston’s First-Time Homebuyer Program
The city gives down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers
Boston Housing Authority First Home Program
The city provides BHA residents with down payment assistance
Gloucester’s First Time Homebuyer program
The city offers help with down payments and closing costs
New Bedford’s First-Time Homebuyer Program
The city offers help with down payments, closing costs, and interest rate buydown
ONE Mortgage Program
Massachusetts’ affordable mortgage program for low- and moderate-income families
Worcester’s Housing and Neighborhood Grants
The city offers homebuyers down payment assistance
Affordable child care options
Child Care Choices of Boston
A program within ABCD that helps match families in Boston and surrounding suburbs to affordable child care providers
Child Care Financial Assistance Programs
Massachusetts offers help with paying for child care for residents who meet eligibility criteria
Great Starts
Boston’s Citywide Enrollment Platform with information on center-based child care providers, family child care providers, and pre-K
Massachusetts’ Department of Early Education and Care has a Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative that works with public school districts and community organizations to increase preschool offerings.
The initiative is being implemented in the following:
Boston Public SchoolsHolyoke Public SchoolsLawrence Public Schools Lowell Public SchoolsNew Bedford Public SchoolsNorth Adams Public SchoolsNorthampton Public SchoolsSomerville Public SchoolsSpringfield Public SchoolsBrockton Public SchoolsFall River Public SchoolsFramingham Public SchoolsLynn Public SchoolsMalden Public SchoolsSalem Public SchoolsSandwich Public SchoolsGloucester Public SchoolsHaverhill Public SchoolsHoosac Valley Regional School DistrictPlymouth Public SchoolsWestfield Public Schools
Planning is underway for the initiative in the following:
Chicopee Public SchoolsTaunton Public SchoolsFitchburg Public SchoolsQuincy Public SchoolsPittsfield Public SchoolsWorcester Public SchoolsBarnstable Public SchoolsWareham Public SchoolsThe Gateway Regional School District
All Massachusetts school districts offer some public preschool, according to the state. Check your district for options.
BabySteps
A state program that gives $50 to Massachusetts families toward a child’s education
Boston Saves
A city program that gives $50 to Boston Public Schools K2 kindergarteners whose parents start a financial account
Level Up
An ABCD program that provides tuition assistance to eligible Boston adults who are 18 to 24
Boston Evening Therapy Associates
Offers sliding scale and pro bono therapy services to Massachusetts residents
Community Services Institute
Provides in-person and virtual therapy options in Greater Boston and Western Massachusetts
Health Resources and Services Administration’s health center finder
An online database that includes health centers across the country
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
The state has a help line to connect callers with clinicians
We Rise Collective
A nonprofit specializing in affordable therapy for women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community
This story was produced by the Globe’s Money, Power, Inequality team, which covers the racial wealth gap in Greater Boston. You can sign up for the newsletter here.
Lauren Booker can be reached at lauren.booker@globe.com.