Walk through a Cambridge neighborhood and you might encounter dancers activating public spaces, community members sharing stories across generations, or artists collaborating on public murals. These moments aren’t just culturally enriching—they help weave the social fabric our city needs.
When people create, perform, and experience art together, they build connections that transcend differences and foster a sense of belonging.
As we implement the second year of our strategic plan with a focus on social cohesion, CCF is announcing two new grant opportunities that are the first step in our multi-phase arts and culture strategy supporting social cohesion in Cambridge. These arts and belonging grants, which aim to sustain trusted institutions and seed new connections, offer multi-year general operating support for organizations building connection through arts and culture in Cambridge.
The Power of Arts for Connection
Our strategic framework defines social cohesion as what happens “when individuals feel and act as part of a group oriented toward working together.” At its heart is belonging, which research shows can be powerfully strengthened through equitable, place-based arts and culture.
Yet despite their vital role, many Cambridge artists and arts organizations struggle—even as they deliver programs that transform lives and communities. A combination of shrinking public investment, rising costs, and heightened political scrutiny has created an increasingly hostile environment for the cultural sector, especially for organizations led by or supporting historically excluded communities. According to our research, 62% of Cambridge cultural nonprofits are grassroots organizations with annual revenues under $250,000.
Supporting Organizations of All Sizes
Our arts and belonging grants program offers multi-year general operating support through two funding categories designed to match the diverse ecosystem of Cambridge arts organizations:
Community Impact Grants provide up to $50,000 per year for three years to established organizations with annual budgets greater than $250,000. These organizations:
- Strengthen agency and self-determination among historically excluded communities
- Serve as hubs for diverse groups, activities, and connections
- Provide consistent and regular arts programming that brings people together
Grassroots Grants offer up to $25,000 per year for three years to community-centered organizations with annual budgets under $250,000. These organizations:
- Cultivate under-supported or emerging artistic and cultural talent
- Build agency among historically excluded communities
- Consistently serve specific communities through regular programming
A Strategic Approach
This grants program marks the beginning of the sustain and seed phase of our arts and culture strategic initiative. With input from community partners, we’ve identified four areas where funding can make a meaningful impact: sustaining organizations, expanding space access, fostering collaboration, and strengthening advocacy.
The arts and belonging grants address organizational sustainability, with additional programs focusing on space access and advocacy launching later this year. In 2026, we’ll move to our connect and grow phase, developing programs that enhance collaboration among arts organizations and across sectors.
Apply Now
If your organization uses arts and culture to build belonging in Cambridge, we invite you to submit a Letter of Interest by June 3, 2025. Selected organizations will receive invitations to submit full applications in June.
Together, we can create a more vibrant, just, and cohesive Cambridge through the transformative power of arts and culture.
