NANTUCKET, MA — In a powerful demonstration of collaborative philanthropy, three funders have come together to address one of Nantucket’s most pressing challenges: the high cost of preschool for working families.
The Community Foundation for Nantucket, through a Community Investment Grant from the Nantucket Fund, a private Community Foundation Donor Advised Fund holder, and the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation have each committed $100,000 to launch a one-year Preschool Family Support Pilot Program in partnership with the Town of Nantucket’s Health and Human Services Department.
This $300,000 philanthropic investment will enable direct tuition assistance to working families with 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in licensed Nantucket preschool programs during the 2026–2027 school year. The program is designed to serve approximately 30–60 families, with payments made directly to providers and quarterly reporting to ensure accountability and measurable impact.
As outlined in the Town’s December 4, 2025 proposal, the Preschool Family Support Pilot Program follows a proven model already implemented in nine Cape Cod communities and the hope is to transition to sustainable municipal funding beginning in FY28, subject to Town Meeting approval. The Health and Human Services Department will administer the program, including eligibility verification, direct-to-provider payments, and quarterly and annual reporting on outcomes.
Childcare costs on Nantucket can exceed $20,000 annually, placing significant strain on working families and the island’s workforce. By providing up to $10,000 per eligible child in tuition assistance, this pilot aims to stabilize families, strengthen early education access, and support local employers who depend on a reliable year-round workforce.
“This is exactly the kind of initiative that philanthropy is uniquely positioned to catalyze,” said Sunny Daily, Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Nantucket. “By bringing donors together, we can provide immediate relief to families while building the data, outcomes, and community support needed to transition a locally tailored preschool subsidy model into a lasting public investment.”
The collective goal of the three funders is not only to support families in the short term, but to demonstrate the impact and feasibility of a locally tailored preschool subsidy model that could be adopted through municipal funding beginning in FY28.
“This collaboration reflects a shared belief that investing in early childhood education strengthens the entire community,” said Isabella Day, Administrative Director of the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation. “We are proud to stand alongside the Community Foundation and a committed private donor to help launch a program that can create long-term structural change.”
If approved for municipal funding in 2027, Nantucket would join nine Cape Cod towns that have successfully implemented similar programs, ensuring sustained support for working families for years to come.
Together, these three philanthropic partners are demonstrating how private investment can serve as a bridge to durable public solutions — ensuring that childcare affordability does not force families to choose between financial stability and their children’s early education.
About the Community Foundation for Nantucket
The Community Foundation for Nantucket works to strengthen the island’s year-round community through strategic grantmaking, scholarships, and partnerships that address Nantucket’s most pressing needs.
Media Contact: Sunny Daily Executive Director Community Foundation for Nantucket sdaily@cfnan.org
If you would like to donate to the Preschool Pilot Program please feel free to do so here: Donate Now