Monthly Archives: April 2019

April 30, 2019—Cambridge, MA The Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) has announced its first ever CCF Social Innovation Award, a new competition identifying and supporting the emerging innovators developing solutions to urban problems in Cambridge. The competition is open to all—individuals, students, groups, entrepreneurs and nonprofits—who are making a difference in the quality of life in Cambridge. Applications are due May 10. “In a city like Cambridge--an epicenter of innovation and home to socially-minded residents--we know there are original, creative and daring ideas that could, with small resources and light touch interventions, have huge impact in our community,” said Geeta Pradhan, president of the Cambridge Community Foundation. “The CCF Social Innovation Award is an opportunity to fuel these ideas and create a pipeline for social innovators with the next great idea for Cambridge and beyond.” Applications will be judged by an expert panel of local civic leaders, including Cambridge Mayor Marc McGovern; Mary Ann Bates, executive director of Poverty Action Lab at MIT; Conan Harris, senior vice president of policy and external affairs at College Bound Dorchester;  Risa Mednick, the former director of Transition House; and Lori Lander, artist, founder of Many Helping Hands and CCF Board member. Awards range [...]

Gail Roberts is a force for good in the world. Widely admired for her work with Gail Roberts, Ed Feijo & Team at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, she is a Cambridge resident with an unending commitment to young people, to those in need, and is a powerful advocate for nonprofits in Cambridge and Boston. In her role as a Director of the Cambridge Community Foundation, Gail is known for her ability to connect people, to advocate for their needs, and for her unparalleled flair with our annual dinners. When asked what matters to her, Gail always says “the ability to give back to the community.” Her eyes sparkle with joy as she describes how organizations have helped a young mother in distress, a family, or a community of people seeking support. And, she’s always quick to defer credit to the hard work and passion of nonprofits. At the Foundation, Gail leads the strategy for our Annual Dinner, and she serves on the Development Committee; this year, she established the Gail Roberts Fund. In addition to her work with CCF, she is active with UNICEF USA, the Mount Auburn Hospital, the Huntington Theatre Company, and Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts. In [...]

The Cambridge Community Foundation distributes $944,378 in grants, with $692,878 going to 93 local nonprofits & to scholarships Jump to a list of spring 2019 grants April 3, 2019—Cambridge, MA The Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) and its donors have awarded $944,378 in grants this spring, with $692,878 going to 93 local nonprofits and to scholarships. The grants are funded through CCF’s Community Fund, our endowment and Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), and investments in ongoing CCF initiatives. The only foundation focused exclusively on the needs of Cambridge residents, CCF supports nonprofit organizations involved in human services, workforce training, housing, hunger, homelessness, elder services, youth and early childhood services, education, and the arts. Through these investments CCF supports shared prosperity, social equity, and cultural richness in Cambridge. “Every year the number of grant requests CCF receives increases; this spring was no exception. It’s clear there is a dramatic need for support for our nonprofit sector, which serves residents of all ages, especially the most vulnerable in our community,” says Geeta Pradhan, president of the Cambridge Community Foundation. “CCF and our donors are committed to helping as many organizations as we can through large and small grants from our Community Fund and [...]