Ready For Learning Massachusetts
Ready for Learning
Help 75,000 Massachusetts Children Get What They Need To Learn This Fall
The Need
Starting school without the tools needed to succeed can put big obstacles in a developing child’s way. Items like backpacks, art supplies, writing tools, and back-to-school clothing and shoes are imperative to help get children mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared for school. With these tools, they are more likely to attend school and complete homework — knowing they have the same chance at school success as their peers. Parents can focus on rent and groceries instead of facing the stress of school-related expenses.
Our Response
This year, the Cradles to Crayons Ready for Learning initiative will distribute thousands of backpacks filled with new, age-appropriate school supplies and packages filled with shoes, clothing, and more. These items will be distributed through our network of Service Partners to ensure that kids throughout Massachusetts arrive at school on the first day prepared and excited to learn!
Why Support Ready for Learning?
- 1 in 3 children in Massachusetts are at risk of Clothing Insecurity and without access to school-appropriate clothing.
- Families with school-aged children spent an average of $875 on back-to-school items in 2024, including $141 on non-electronic school supplies and $423 on clothing and footwear.
- When children are not prepared with the school supplies and clothing they need, the effects on their academic performance and attendance can be severe.
Backpack-A-Thon® Event Opportunities
Get your company involved in Backpack-A-Thon!
800+ corporate volunteers + 45,000 backpacks packed = local kids in need are Ready for Learning!
Backpack-A-Thon is our signature Ready for Learning event, welcoming companies from across Massachusetts. Join this high-energy, corporate teambuilding event this summer to help fill thousands of backpacks with school supplies alongside other volunteers, so that local kids are ready on the first day of school for a year of learning.
August 7, 2025
Boston University’s Agganis Arena
Providing essential learning supplies to kids requires support. For more information on how your company can join our effort, please contact Robin Elliott at relliott@cradlestocrayons.org.
Thank You to our Ready for Learning Supporters
Presenting
Platinum
Platinum
Gold
Silver
A.I.M. Insurance Companies • Acadian Asset Management • Analog Devices • Income Research + Management • The Village Bank
Bronze
ALKU • Ares Management • Arthrex • BAE Systems • Bay State IT • Callahan Construction Managers • Columbia • Harvard Business School • Hercules Capital
McDermott Will & Emery • Mimecast • PNC Bank • ServiceNow
Transportation Partner
