School Equipment and Program Grants

Geographic Scope: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Eligible Recipients: K-12 schools participating in federal child nutrition programs
Focus: Equipment and marketing needs related to expanding school meal programs

Program Overview

New England Dairy provides funding to eligible schools to support equipment and marketing needs related to expanding school meal programs including breakfast, summer meals, and serving new dairy menu items like smoothies and hot chocolate milk.

Turn-Key Equipment Packages

1. Smoothies
   • Equipment package available
   • Application available
2. Hot Chocolate Milk
   • Equipment package available
   • Application available
3. Bulk Milk
   • Equipment package available
   • Application available
4. School Breakfast Expansion
   • Equipment package available
   • Application available
5. Customization Station
   • Equipment package available
   • Application available

Other Dairy Program Grants

Custom Dairy Programs

• Funding available to support expansion of dairy items on menu
• Allowable costs: Equipment, marketing and promotion materials

Summer Meals

• Funding available to support expansion of summer meals programs
• Allowable costs: Equipment such as insulated cooler bags, ice sheets, portable milk cooler, and partial funding for vehicle wraps

Geographic Scope

• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

Timeline

• Current Deadline: November 13, 2026
• Program Start: Applicants should plan on starting programs in summer/fall of 2026
• Award Decisions: Made for all submitted applications after the deadline passes

Grant Writing Tips

• Proposals should increase access to school meals and promote dairy sales
• Include marketing/promotion and student engagement plans
• Funding is limited and awarded based on strength of plan and potential impact
• Schools may only apply for one program at a time
• Incomplete applications and those with vague answers will not be considered

Reporting Requirements

If awarded, schools/districts must provide:

• Baseline, initial, and final data
• 3-5 photos of the program
• Completed final narrative report
• Failure to submit required items by established deadlines will put future New England Dairy funding at risk

Resources

• Success Stories page showcasing successful implementations
• Monthly School Nutrition Newsletter with resources and ideas
• Equipment implementation guides for each program type
• Recipes inspired by grant programs

Contact

Applications & Resources Page: https://www.newenglanddairy.com/school-grants-applications-promotion/

Application Process

1. Access Applications
   • Visit the Applications & Promotional Resources page: https://www.newenglanddairy.com/school-grants-applications-promotion/
   • Select the specific grant program you want to apply for (Smoothies, Hot Chocolate Milk, Bulk Milk, Breakfast Expansion, Customization Station, Custom Dairy Programs, or Summer Meals)
   • Access the application form
2. Prepare Your Proposal
   • Write proposal that increases access to school meals and promotes dairy sales
   • Include marketing/promotion plan
   • Include student engagement plan
   • Provide clear description of project and expected impact
   • Ensure all answers are specific and complete (vague answers will not be considered)
   • Schools may only apply for one program at a time
3. Submit Application
   • Email completed application to: dairygrants@newenglanddairy.com
   • Submit by deadline: November 13, 2026
   • Plan for program to start in summer/fall of 2026
   • Note: Equipment and funding will not arrive until June 2026 or later
4. Award Notification
   • Award decisions made after the deadline passes
   • Schools will be notified of award status
5. Reporting Requirements (if awarded)
   • Provide baseline data before program starts
   • Provide initial data after program begins
   • Provide final data after program completion
   • Submit 3-5 photos of the program in action
   • Submit completed final narrative report
   • Submit by established deadlines (failure to do so will jeopardize future funding eligibility)

Contact

Email: dairygrants@newenglanddairy.com

• Contact if you require assistance or have questions
• Request support for brainstorming or clarification