About
The Cambridge Community Foundation supports community-based nonprofit organizations that address local challenges and foster opportunities across the community. Investments in education and out of school time, economic security and opportunity, early childhood, racial equity, health and mental health, urgent and basic needs, senior services, civic engagement, immigrant services and arts and culture are supported by contributions to the Cambridge Endowment — our Community Fund.
Grantees
To learn about nonprofits we support, read the press release about our Fall cycle grants or explore a list of nonprofits that received Community Fund grants.
Apply
We are not currently accepting applications to the Community Fund. The application can be previewed here.
The Cambridge Community Foundation offers flexible funding, allowing grant recipients to use the funds at their discretion, including for general operating expenses. The Community Fund accepts applications twice each year, in fall and spring cycles.
Phases of the Grant Cycle:
- Application – 501(c)(3) designated organizations, or those with a fiscal sponsor, may apply to the Community Fund once during the Foundation’s fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). In addition to how the grant will be used, we want to know what community need(s) your program addresses.
- Review – Applications are reviewed by a panel made up of community members, who select proposals that they feel best support those who live in or rely on Cambridge.
- Report – For selected grant recipients, we require a report on the use of the funds by the end of the grant year. Although funding can be spent on operations, the outcomes reported must be programmatic.
To learn more about the application process please view the FAQs or view a recording of a recent information session here.
FAQ
The Spring application can be previewed here. The application is no longer accepting applications.
Timeline:
Since the last Community Fund cycle, the Foundation has transitioned to a new grants management system. This will require your organization and relevant users to register in the new system before you are able to begin applying. All application and report forms will be available through this system. Please access the system using this link.
The report form for all Community Fund Grants from FY23 (July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023) will be part of the FY24 application. When you begin the application for the upcoming Community Fund cycle, you will be prompted to complete the grant report.
If you do not intend to apply in FY24 but received a grant in FY23, please contact the grantmaking team.
Your organization may apply to the Community Fund once per the foundation’s fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
No. If you received a multi-year initiative grant, you are no longer required to apply each fiscal year. You are required to submit mid-term/final reports. You will receive an email about reporting requirements.
Please email the grantmaking team at [email protected].
Donate
The Community Fund is made up of a pool of funds, built by donors. Income from these funds is pooled to make grants that help ensure a vibrant, thriving, and inclusive Cambridge where everyone can access opportunity and a good quality of life. To learn ways to support Cambridge through the Community Fund, please contact Michal Rubin, Vice President of Philanthropic Partnerships, at [email protected].
Our Grantmaking and Nonprofit News
For more information on our impact and nonprofit partnerships, explore our past press releases and sign up to receive newsletters.
Building economic mobility.
We've invested in Just A Start's Economic Mobility Hub, opening this year at Alewife.
Kicking off a multiyear collaboration to reimagine food pantries.
Cambridge needs to think big to solve food insecurity, and a new cross-sector collaboration funded by CCF is taking it on.
Small acts of service add up to a great community.
Building social cohesion at the 14th Cambridge MLK Day of Service and Learning.