Cambridge Sees Record Demand for Nonprofit Support as CCF Directs $1.5M to 161 Organizations
Unprecedented 65 percent increase in funding responds to growing pressure on local nonprofit sector.
April 2025
Tax-Efficient Philanthropy Tips from CCF’s PAC
This post is part of our “Smart Giving” series of informational articles for professional advisors from CCF’s Professional Advisors Council.
March 2025
Navigating the complexities of 2025’s tax season.
This post is part of our “Smart Giving” series of informational articles for professional advisors from CCF’s Professional Advisors Council.
Arts for All: Meet our Winter ASA Fund Recipients
CCF is pleased to announce two new grants totaling $13,150 through our Arrow Street Arts Fund, supporting local artists who enrich Cambridge's cultural landscape and create meaningful connections across communities. Since its launch in fall 2023, the fund has invested over $100,000 in local performing arts organizations, addressing a critical need in our arts ecosystem: access to affordable performance space for historically underrepresented artists. Through our partnership with Arrow Street Arts, we're ensuring their voices have a stage in the heart of Harvard Square. Meet our Winter 2025 grantees: Asian American Ballet Project presents "Receding and Reemerging," a ballet exploring themes of cultural memory and future possibilities through Asian American perspectives. The program features a Japanese American reimagining of Spectre de la Rose and a Philippine Forest tale, showcasing the talents and stories of AAPI dancers and choreographers. Theater Offensive, Inc. hosts the "Queer Republic Festival," a four -day celebration showcasing original theater, dance, and workshops created by queer and trans artists of color from historically underrepresented communities. Culminating from a 22-month residency program, the festival amplifies these voices while fostering connection, cultural dialogue, and creative innovation in Cambridge. "These artists represent the incredible diversity and talent of Cambridge's
Food Access and Security Initiative Strengthens Collaboration and Capacity Among Local Partners
In October 2023, CCF announced a five-year strategic plan centered on economic mobility and social cohesion, aiming to create a more vibrant, just, and equitable Cambridge for all. Building upon COVID era infrastructure investments, the cornerstone of the plan's first year was our Food Access and Security Initiative, a combined $1.9 million multi-year investment designed to strengthen Cambridge's emergency food system through partnership and collective action. After one year, the initiative has already shown remarkable progress in strengthening Cambridge's food security system. "CCF is bringing food security partners together to create solutions that address both immediate needs and systemic challenges," said CCF President Geeta Pradhan. "This initiative exemplifies our approach to community change—framing systemic problems differently, investing in capacity building, and partnering with organizations to create new creative solutions." "This year we made fantastic strides toward creating solid ground for food security," says Christina Turner, CCF's vice president for programs and grantmaking. "We're supporting our partners as they move from being emergency response organizations to becoming vital hubs of economic security for families." Food insecurity affects Cantabrigians across all demographics but disproportionately impacts people of color, families with children, seniors, and adults with disabilities. According to a
Legacy of Love: How One Family’s Journey Continues to Support Cambridge Families Today
When Peter Sturges reflects on his brother Morris's life, his voice softens with emotion, even decades later. It's a story about family bonds, difficult choices, and, ultimately, a commitment to ensure that other Cambridge families have the support that wasn't available in the 1940s. "Morris' institutionalization has had a significant impact on our entire family in different ways. It was devastating, absolutely devastating," Peter shares. Born in 1941 with Down syndrome, Morris was the second child of Alice and Walter Knight Sturges. They later had four more children. "My parents had the financial resources to care for Morris at home, but not the support," Peter explains. "They had absolutely no encouragement from the medical profession, from their religious leaders, from their parents. And as a result, he was institutionalized." Following the advice of doctors, priests, and family, Morris, at the age of three, was placed at the Perkins School in Lancaster, Massachusetts. For his mother Alice, the separation was deeply traumatic. This decision had an enormous impact on the family for decades. Separated from his family, Morris lived in various institutions until his death in 2001 at age 59. Peter and his siblings often wondered
Celebrating Cambridge Changemakers
At a moment when many seek connection and shared purpose, the Cambridge NAACP's 39th Annual MLK Brunch provided just that—a space for neighbors to gather in community under the theme "Facing the Storm: Courage for the Next Chapter." The speakers called for courage, resilience, and steadfast dedication to progress during challenging times. This year's theme, "Facing the Storm: Courage for the Next Chapter," resonated deeply with attendees as speakers emphasized the need for courage, resilience, and steadfast dedication to progress during challenging times. "We find ourselves in an unprecedented moment, with an emboldened white supremacy, a weaponized Supreme Court, a hostile administration, efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, inclusion," said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who delivered powerful remarks. "This is anti-blackness on steroids. And so what is the antidote? We will be pro-black." Congresswoman Pressley reminded attendees that "freedom is never really won. You earn it and you win it in every generation," emphasizing that "we have to fight for freedom in every generation." Community Leaders Honored The event recognized several community changemakers, including Kyrk Morris, founder and director of Citizens of the World, Thomas Lucey, director of community relations for Harvard University, Sherley Bretous, executive director of the
February 2025
Building community one volunteer at a time.
Cambridge Volunteers' 2025 Virtual Volunteer Fair.
Welcome new members of the CCF family!
New faces at CCF.
Making Good through connection.
Changemakers share stories at LabCentral.
