Grantmaking Archives - Page 5 of 7 - Cambridge Community Foundation

Cambridge Community Foundation Recognizes Five Groups with Second Annual Imagined in Cambridge Social Innovation Award

Jenny White2024-02-27T19:39:11-05:00October 8th, 2020|Civic Leadership, Cultural Richness, Grantmaking, Philanthropy, Press Release, Shared Prosperity, Social Equity, Social Innovation|

Photo of blackyard, 2020 Imagined in Cambridge Award winner, by Philip Keith for The New York Times. Supporting Grassroots Projects Tackling Pressing Social Issues October 8, 2020—Cambridge, MA At a virtual celebration on October 8, 2020, the Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) named the recipients of its second annual Imagined in Cambridge! Social Innovation Award, recognizing five grassroots projects that nurture strong communities and tackle systemic barriers to equity and opportunity. Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui announced blackyard, a co-op for Black and multi-racial youth and teenagers that in the words of its founder: “dismantles white supremacy within and lifts up the brilliance of Black, Indigenous, and Brown people,” through homeschooling, arts activities, conversations around equity for youth and teenagers, and supports for youth organizers, as the first prize winner. The program, founded by veteran teacher and Cambridge resident Ashley Herring, was awarded $5,000, and joined by four runners-up—Friday Night Hype, Kids Fete, Our Fire Collective, and Women of Cambridge Cards—each receiving $1,000. The five award winners offer innovative solutions to big social needs, such as supporting Black and Brown youth, promoting social justice and cultural pride, offering mental health supports for youth and teachers, and elevating female leaders. Watch our short

$230,000 in new grants combating housing insecurity bring Cambridge Community Foundation’s COVID-19 relief funding to over $1.9 million

Jenny White2020-07-28T18:17:28-04:00July 28th, 2020|Grantmaking, Philanthropy, Press Release|

CCF has awarded $230,000 in new grants to nine nonprofits providing COVID-19 emergency relief, with a particular focus on supporting neighbors who are unhoused or at risk of becoming homeless in Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford. 

The Cambridge Community Foundation distributes $200,000 in grants to nonprofits through MA COVID-19 Relief Fund

Jenny White2020-07-14T16:27:26-04:00July 14th, 2020|Civic Leadership, Grantmaking, Philanthropy, Press Release, Shared Prosperity, Social Equity|

The Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) has distributed $200,000 in new grants to nine nonprofits providing support for basic needs and mental health to vulnerable individuals and families in Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford.

Relief…and recovery: A letter from our president

Jenny White2020-07-29T16:23:27-04:00June 26th, 2020|Civic Leadership, Cultural Richness, Grantmaking, Philanthropy, Press Release, Shared Prosperity, Social Equity|

June 26, 2020 | Cambridge, MA Relief...and recovery Three months ago, we couldn’t have predicted how widespread the pandemic’s impact would be, but we, like so many of you, knew we needed to respond quickly. For an organization that does its work squarely within the nonprofit sector, that meant stepping outside the box. We began awarding cash grants directly to individuals, families, and artists in crisis, while continuing to partner with nonprofits to give small grants to people in their circles. We also provided grants to arts organizations who took an enormous hit with the loss of audiences and early closures. The results are eye-opening. A new point of view The process has given us a fresh, first-hand view of our community and its needs. One of the biggest privileges of our COVID-19 relief work has been connecting with people from all corners of the city and hearing from them directly. We've also witnessed the incredible creativity and tenacity of our nonprofits, who met community needs despite their own financial pressures. By the numbers As of June 25, we allocated 1,162 cash grants to individuals, families, artists, and small businesses. We’ve also helped hundreds more through our support

Cash relief, resilience, and repositioning for recovery: A message from our president

Jenny White2020-05-19T20:59:53-04:00May 19th, 2020|Civic Leadership, Grantmaking, Philanthropy, Press Release, Shared Prosperity, Social Equity|

An update from the Cambridge Community Foundation's Geeta Pradhan.

Updates on our emergency grantmaking from our president

Jenny White2020-06-29T18:24:27-04:00April 15th, 2020|Civic Leadership, Grantmaking, Press Release|

Dear friends, The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the fragility of our community. More people in Cambridge are struggling with food and housing insecurity. Families who previously made ends meet are now in crisis with no contingency funds to fall back on. This pandemic has also revealed the precariousness of our nonprofits. The very organizations that bridge the gaps and serve the most vulnerable are doing their work on shoe-string budgets and their future is uncertain. Less than a month ago, we created the Cambridge COVID-19 Emergency Fund and the Cambridge Artist Relief Fund in partnership with the City and our generous donors to provide swift relief to individuals and families in crisis. Funds are already in the hands of those who need them most and more applications are being reviewed each week. Here's a glance at our emergency grantmaking by the numbers: To date we’ve raised over $725,000 and counting for both funds combined. We're distributing one-time grants of $200 to $1,000. We’ve reviewed more than 300 applications from individuals, small businesses, and organizations so far. We’re sending out a total of just over $300,000 in grants, as quickly as we can. This is what we’re seeing: Taxi drivers who are primary breadwinners for their families have no income. Single mothers struggle to feed and home school their children while working reduced hours. Parents with large families depend on food pantries but

The Cambridge Community Foundation fuels local nonprofit sector with $456,181 this spring

Jenny White2021-02-19T19:47:09-05:00March 31st, 2020|Civic Leadership, Cultural Richness, Grantmaking, Press Release, Shared Prosperity, Social Equity|

This April, the Cambridge Community Foundation will infuse $456,181 into the nonprofit sector in Cambridge through its annual spring grantmaking cycle, which is allocating funds on schedule despite the COVID-19 crisis. The Foundation is allowing Community Fund grant recipients to use their programmatic funding flexibly so that, at a time of great uncertainty, nonprofits can allocate the money where it’s needed the most.

Nonprofit FAQs: Giving funds to individuals during COVID-19

Jenny White2020-03-27T16:06:02-04:00March 27th, 2020|Grantmaking, Philanthropy, Press Release|

By Brad Bedingfield and Eleanor A. Evans The impact of COVID-19 on our communities is only just starting to come into focus. It's not just the health risks - millions are likely to find themselves unemployed, without health insurance or a means to make money. Those who must continue their work as this crisis balloons, health care workers in particular, have no safe place to leave their children. Nearly everyone is facing increased financial pressures. Local nonprofits, dealing with their own financial stresses, are still eager to bolster their support of the communities they serve during this crisis. For any Cambridge-based nonprofits thinking about how to directly give funds to individuals and families in the community, here are some considerations. Can my nonprofit make direct grants to individuals impacted by COVID-19? Many nonprofits that have not traditionally made grants to individuals are asking if they can do so, and how. They want to help specific people in their communities who are in danger of losing their homes or are already homeless, who do not have enough food for their children, or who have special health care expenses. Nonprofits without experience making grants to individuals may be nervous about doing

October 2020

September 2020

July 2020

$230,000 in new grants combating housing insecurity bring Cambridge Community Foundation’s COVID-19 relief funding to over $1.9 million

June 2020

May 2020

April 2020

Updates on our emergency grantmaking from our president

March 2020

Nonprofit FAQs: Giving funds to individuals during COVID-19

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