To apply to one of our grant programs, access the portal here:
Click here to view the Applicant Tutorial.
NOTICE: As of July 2023, CCF is managing all grant processes using a new online Grant Portal. All application and report forms will be available through this portal. Registration information can be found below.
For Nonprofits
Grant Programs
| Program | Target | Application Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Arrow Street Arts Fund | Supporting artist access to performance space | Open until May 15 Apply here |
| Community Fund - Fall cycle | Responsive grants for community-based nonprofit organizations that address local challenges | Closed View grantees |
| Community Fund - Spring cycle | Responsive grants for community-based nonprofit organizations that address local challenges | Closed View grantees |
| Imagined in Cambridge! Social Innovation Award | For emerging nonprofits and grassroots projects | Closed Awardees will be announced in May |
| Imagined in Cambridge! Fund Microgrant | For social innovators that have previously applied for the Imagined in Cambridge! Social Innovation Award | Temporarily Closed |
| Food Access and Security Initiative | New program for nonprofits effecting transformational change in the Cambridge emergency food system. | Closed View grantees |
Grants Management System
To complete applications and reports, all organizations must register on our Grant Portal. To register your organization, please follow the procedure below:
- optional: Watch the “Applicant Tutorial Video” and review the “Create an Account/Log On” information here.
- Click here to access the portal.
- Click “Create New Account”
- Enter all required information:
- Organization information
- User information
- Executive Officer information
- Finally, set a password for your account.
After registering your organization, you will be able to begin applying to any of the Foundation’s open grant programs.
Opportunities
4/26 – Create Cambridge Grants – Create Cambridge Coalition & City of Cambridge
Grants of up to $30,000 for selected nonprofits that offer public cultural programming in Cambridge every year and maintain year-round operations in Cambridge. Click here to learn more and apply before the April 26th deadline.
6/5 – Consulting Projects – Association of Boston Community Action Partners (CAP), Harvard Business School
CAP is kicking off its pro bono business consulting program. If you are interested in applying, please click here to complete the application form before June 5th.
6/11 – Food Justice for Kids Prize – Newman’s Own Foundation
Grants available for nonprofits, public schools & tribes working to advance food justice for children in the U.S. Up to 10 applicants will receive $100,000 each (over two years). To learn more and apply by June 11, click here.
6/14 – Prizes for Innovation – Health to Hunger Collaboratory
Two $100,000 prizes will be awarded to organizations engaging in innovative food and nutrition work that offers promising, upstream models and replicable, scalable solutions that significantly advance health equity in communities throughout the U.S. Nominations must be accepted before June 14th, click here to learn more.
6/14 – Capital Infrastructure Grants – Cambridge Redevelopment Authority
This program funds the cost of capital infrastructure projects – up to $100,000 – including materials, project management, and labor to build, renovate, repair, or improve new or existing structures and open space amenities. CRA has set two application deadlines; June 14 and September 27. Click here to learn more.
9/27 – Feasibility Study Grants – Cambridge Redevelopment Authority
Grants up to $10,000 to fund feasibility studies, which inform the process, design, and resources needed to complete a capital infrastructure project. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, until September 27th or all funds are allocated. Click here to learn more.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Beginning in July 2023, CCF will be managing all grant processes using a new online Grant Portal. All application and report forms will be available through the portal.
To complete applications and reports, all organizations must register in the Grant Portal. To register your organization, please follow the procedure below:
-
- optional: Watch the “Applicant Tutorial Video” and review the “Create an Account/Log On” information here.
- Click here to access the Grant Portal.
- Click “Create New Account”
- Enter all required information:
- Organization information
- User information
- Executive Officer information
- Finally, set a password for your account.
After registering your organization, you will be able to begin applying to any of the Foundation’s open grant programs.
Applications are no longer being accepted for FY24. Please check back for the FY25 grant 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].
Cambridge Community Foundation funding is available for existing programs, new programs, or for building the organization’s capacity and infrastructure.
General Operating Support grants are available to organizations with proven track records or for proposals that demonstrate clear and measurable outcomes and impact. We call these grants ‘negotiated’ general operating support grants, which allow you the flexibility to use funds at your discretion, while we assess your success based on established outcomes.
Applicants who are not 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for funding if they operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit, that serves the people of Cambridge. The application must provide evidence of fiscal sponsorship.
Please view the current grant programs to see which initiative programs are accepting applications.
All grant programs require a final report at the conclusion of the grant period. The report form is available on the grant dashboard, and asks grantees to describe the use of the funds in relation to the outcomes you stated in the grant proposal. High quality reports share progress, lessons, and constituent stories, if possible. A grant report must be received before further funding will be considered.
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.
The Cambridge Community Foundation invests $645K in nonprofits responding to local needs and uplifting community
With record requests, 78 organizations receive funding this spring.
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.
