The Polaroid Fund, administered by the SouthCoast Community Foundation in partnership with The Boston Foundation, supports workforce development and literacy programming for the New Bedford, Massachusetts community. For more than ten years, this discretionary fund has aimed to assist the area's most vulnerable residents by providing them with the skills necessary to meet educational and employment milestones. Key areas of support include programs for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), and General Educational Development (GED), alongside initiatives in family and early literacy.

The Polaroid Fund provides grants of up to $15,000 to qualified organizations. Funding is directed toward mitigating barriers to education, such as cultural and language differences, transportation and childcare challenges, and fragmented service availability. Additionally, organizations advocating for policy changes that boost provider capacity, stimulate employer-driven workplace literacy programs, or secure increased public funding are encouraged to apply. The Fund also supports efforts to attract private investment in worker education.

Applications that incorporate early literacy programs for children from birth to age three alongside ABE/ESOL and parenting courses are strongly encouraged. The Polaroid Fund places value on preserving cultural bonds by maintaining access to neighborhood-based literacy and education services. Furthermore, programs designed to fill service gaps across all stages of adult learning, including preparation for post-secondary education, are eligible.

Grant funding may also be used for capacity-building efforts that align with the Fund’s overarching objectives. Proposals must be submitted during the application window, which opens on April 8, 2025, and closes on April 30, 2025. Interested organizations should prepare proposals that clearly outline how their programming aligns with the Fund's goals to address literacy, employment preparation, and systemic advocacy.

Contact information for specific questions or support regarding the application process was not provided in the announcement. Applicants should refer directly to the SouthCoast Community Foundation for additional guidance if necessary.