The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts has announced a new $500,000 investment aimed at helping thousands of local students and families navigate the complex financial aid process and access more affordable pathways to higher education.

Through a five-year partnership with the nonprofit organization College Affordable, the Community Foundation has committed $100,000 annually to expand free, high-touch financial aid counsel for students and families across North Central Massachusetts. The initiative will make our region the first in the state where every high school has coordinated access to expert financial aid guidance at no cost to families.

The investment in higher education access represents the first major initiative under the Community Foundation’s new strategic approach to grantmaking, which prioritizes deeper partnerships, longer-term investments, and measurable community impact.

“Rather than spreading resources thinly across many one-year grants, we’re making a substantial, multi-year commitment to an organization that has proven it can transform lives,” said Stephen Adams, President of the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. “By ensuring every family in our region has access to expert financial aid guidance, we’re removing a critical barrier to higher education and creating pathways to economic mobility for generations to come.” 

“Financial aid is often the determining factor in whether a student can pursue higher education, yet navigating the process can be overwhelming, especially for first-generation college students and families facing economic hardship,” said Brian Gardiner, Executive Director of College Affordable. 

The program operates through two integrated services designed to ensure broad access while addressing equity gaps. The Financial Success Series offers group workshops and on-demand counseling for all students and families, while the Bridge to Equity program provides more intensive, individualized support for students facing significant financial or personal barriers.

Previous grants from the Community Foundation have helped College Affordable partner with nine area high schools: Athol-Royalston, Clinton, Gardner, Fitchburg, Leominster, Nashoba, Narragansett, North Middlesex, and St. Bernard’s.

The expanded investment will bring services to an additional 13 schools over the next five years, including Ayer Shirley, Bromfield, Groton Dunstable, Littleton, Lunenburg, Mahar Regional, Monty Tech, Murdock, Oakmont, Parker Charter, Quabbin, Nashoba Valley Technical School, and the Sizer School.

In addition to its financial commitment, the Community Foundation will work with College Affordable to attract additional support from local philanthropists and foundations inside and outside the region. By leveraging a large, multi-year commitment, the Community Foundation expects to create a catalyst to bring more resources to the region.

For more information about the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts or College Affordable, please contact Meghan Maceiko at mmaceiko@cfncm.org.

About College Affordable 

College Affordable, founded in 2023, has rapidly expanded its reach across Massachusetts. What began as a pilot program at St. Bernard’s and Leominster High Schools has grown to serve more than 5,000 students across 35 high schools and community-based organizations. 

The organization’s model focuses on helping students maximize grants and scholarships while minimizing reliance on loans. By guiding families through the often-confusing financial aid process, College Affordable has already helped unlock millions of dollars in financial aid for Massachusetts students - whether at four-year colleges, community colleges, or trade schools—and to strengthen the region’s future workforce and economic vitality