From The Boston Globe: “Cambridge to begin guaranteed income program for single-parent households”
The Boston Globe's coverage on Cambridge's new guaranteed basic income initiative, for which the Foundation is a founding partner.
April 2021
Cambridge is first city in New England to launch mayor-championed guaranteed income pilot initiative for single caretaker households
April 15, 2021 | Cambridge, MA—Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui announced today plans to launch a new Guaranteed Income Pilot Initiative, providing much-needed support for Cambridge’s most vulnerable residents. The initiative will offer $500 no-strings-attached monthly payments to 120 eligible single caretaker households over an 18-month period beginning in August. Participants will be chosen by lottery. The Cambridge RISE (Recurring Income for Success and Empowerment) project is spearheaded by Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, Vice-Mayor Alanna Mallon, Councillor Marc McGovern and a wide consortium of nonprofit partners throughout the City, including the Cambridge Community Foundation, Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee, Just-A-Start, and the Cambridge Housing Authority. The payments will be handled/managed through UpTogether (formerly called the Family Independence Initiative), the distribution partner for Cambridge RISE. In Cambridge, one out of every 10 families with children under the age of 18 live below the poverty line, while one in three female-headed households with minor children live below the poverty line. Cambridge residents who are Black or African American and those who are of Hispanic or Latinx origin are twice as likely to live under the poverty line, with the pandemic exacerbating the health and wealth gaps amongst race and gender. According to a new research
Cambridge youth raised $24,510 for community COVID-19 relief
A group of Cambridge high school student leaders wanted to help out their community during the pandemic, so they organized, set a goal, led outreach, and, in just a month's time, raised funds for neighbors in need—to the tune of $24,500 total to 12 community organizations.
Powerful insights to help move from conversation to community action
On the occasion of the launch of our new research report, local speakers shared insights that can inform follow-on conversations and help move us to collective action.
From The Boston Globe: “Report shows stark inequalities in Cambridge economic growth”
The Boston Globe's article about our new research report.
New research report shows a widening income gap in Cambridge
A new research report by the Foundation confirms Cambridge is a leader among the nation’s innovation cities, and through a decade of data, tells the story of how the city’s unprecedented prosperity has benefitted some residents, while others, primarily Black and low-income residents, are being left behind.
The Cambridge Community Foundation awards $533,000 in grants to local nonprofits this spring
In response to sustained demands on nonprofits in Cambridge, the Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) increased allocated funds for its spring grantmaking by 50%, supporting nonprofits involved in youth programs and education, housing, hunger, homelessness, elder services, the arts, COVID-19 relief, and racial justice.
March 2021
Equity and innovation in Cambridge
We're soon launching a report entitled Equity and Innovation Cities: The Case of Cambridge. All community members are invited to join us in a conversation on its findings, April 7, 8:30am.
A letter from our president: Let’s raise our voices for tolerance and respect.
Dear neighbors, Last week, the voices of eight citizens, including six Asian women, were silenced by a white man with a gun. This devastating act changed the lives of their loved ones, raised fear among Asian Americans in communities across the nation, and elevated, yet again, the ugly face of racism in the United States. In Cambridge, a city that cherishes its diversity, we respect all cultures, religions, ethnicities, and racial groups and honor each for how they enrich our community. We stand with all communities that experience fear and prejudice. We speak out against injustice when we see it. It matters how we treat each other and how we value one another because we are not separate from our community; we are part of its voice and protectors of its values. So, as we move into another week, without those eight voices in Georgia, let’s raise ours through words and deeds. Let’s embrace tolerance and respect for one another. Let’s learn from those with lived experiences and a story to tell. Let’s do the work necessary to combat racism and expand equity in our community. We’re incredibly fortunate to have a community that is digging into this work now. Tomorrow, the Cambridge Public Library Foundation will host
Emerging stronger and more united: ‘We Are Cambridge’ 2021
Thanks to the nearly 500 community members who joined 'We Are Cambridge: Emerge 2021". Watch the video if you missed it!
