13 Foundation co-funds study to align city with community benefits funding The City of Cambridge and the Foundation partnered with the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition to release the Community Needs Assessment study in January 2017. The goal of the study was to guide the use of mitigation funds pledged through zoning amendments and agreements with developers and intended to help the city mitigate the effects of development. These funds are intended to be used by the nonprofit community to expand services to benefit Cambridge residents and address community needs. With broad goals established by the City Council, an appointed Community Benefits Advisory Committee, which includes the Foundation, city leaders, nonprofit representatives and city residents, is working to develop recommendations for allocating funds to non-profit organizations, in alignment with the most critical needs facing our city. As indicated by the study and confirmed by a survey of residents, the top tier of needs include: Economic security, housing and mental health support. The Boomtown/Hometown report packed the room and generated a thoughtful and engaged conversation. Shown here are educator Angela Allen, head of school at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School; and Dita Obler, a genetic counselor and steering committee member at Community Conversations, a women’s health initiative focused on black women and their families. PARTNER STORY Needs Assessment