About the Cambridge Community
Foundation
We’re the foundation of and for all of Cambridge.
We’ve made it our mission to make good on making good. We’ve pledged ourselves to making economic mobility attainable, social cohesion achievable, and collective action possible. It’s a promise we made 108 years ago. And, one we’ll keep for 1,000 more. Because at its core, that’s what community is. An enduring promise.
To look out for one another. Stand up for one another. Be good to one another. A promise to make good now so we can make tomorrow even better.
We will never stop making good.
Our values guide us
Our values guide what we do and how we do it. They speak to us as an organization and as individuals working on behalf of our community.
Right to Dignity
We honor the dignity and contributions of every member of our community.
Equity and Justice
We believe economic prosperity should be shared fairly and justly.
Collaboration
We believe that collaborative action can solve our city’s most challenging problems.
Creativity & imagination
We value creativity and bold thinking to imagine, innovate, and solve local problems.
Our Vision
We believe Cambridge can be a bright beacon of…
…Shared Prosperity,
where residents invest in one another’s economic potential; where poverty is reduced; and where children are equipped to succeed in a knowledge- and technology-driven economy.
…Social equity,
where there is equal justice; where no one goes hungry; and where everyone can afford a stable home.
…Cultural Richness,
where diverse communities spark ethnic, spiritual, social, and artistic exploration; where innovation thrives; and where connections are deepened across neighborhoods and sectors and among residents.
What we do
We harness the power of collective action to ensure a vibrant, just, and equitable city for everyone. A data-informed, strategic grantmaker, we tackle the city’s most intractable problems in deep partnership with nonprofits and others. We serve as an influential civic leader and the philanthropic home for Cambridge’s generosity.
As a Civic Leader
We offer an independent voice, convene individuals and organizations, and commission research to help identify priorities, set shared goals, spark innovative and effective solutions, and organize collaborations to pursue them.
As a Grantmaker
We fund nonprofit organizations and collaborative initiatives to ensure the wellbeing of Cambridge. We foster the collective giving of generous donors to invest in social services, educational opportunity, cultural enrichment, and economic mobility.
As a Philanthropic Partner
We work with donors to help them address their charitable goals in Cambridge and beyond and offer expertise and opportunities for collective impact.
