Cambridge Jazz Festival at Danehy Park, organized by Cambridge Jazz Foundation. Photo by Jon Chase.
For Grantseekers
Community Fund grants support community-based nonprofit organizations that address local challenges and foster opportunities across the community.
The Cambridge Community Foundation offers flexible funding, allowing grant recipients to use the funds at their discretion, including for general operating expenses.
- Nonprofits are permitted to apply for a Community Fund grant once per fiscal year. The Foundation’s fiscal year is July 1 – June 30.
- Applications are open to eligible 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations or entities operating under the fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit, that serve the people of Cambridge.
- In addition to how the grant will be used, we want to know what community need(s) your program addresses.
- Proposals are reviewed by a team of community reviewers who make recommendations based on connections in the Cambridge community.
- Organizations’ ability to apply for Community Fund grants may be impacted if they receive funding from other Foundation programs.
- We require a report on the use of the funds by the end of the grant year. Although funding can be spent on operations, the outcomes reported must be programmatic.
NOTICE: The application for the Fall Community Fund is currently closed. Existing applicants may view their application on the grant portal.
To learn about nonprofits we support, read the press release about our Spring cycle grants or explore a list of nonprofits that received Community Fund grants.
Nonprofit Information Sessions
- September 7, 2023 – RECORDING
Frequently Asked Questions
The Fall application closed on September 26, 2023 at 12 pm. Grant awards will be announced before the end of the calendar year.
The Spring application will open in January 2024.
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.
Organizations may apply to any Community Fund cycle, given they meet the following criteria:
- The organization has not applied to the Community Fund in the same fiscal year. The Cambridge Community Foundation’s fiscal year is July 1 – June 30.
Ex. An organization that applied for a grant in the fall cycle may not apply again in the following spring cycle, as these occur in the same fiscal year.
- The organization does not have an active grant from the Community Fund. Community Fund grants are considered active until 1 year from the application deadline.
Ex. An organization awarded a grant in the spring cycle may not apply again in the following fall cycle, because the spring grant is still active.
- The organization has designation as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity or is fiscally sponsored by an entity with such a status.
- The organization will request funding for activities that impact people who live in or rely on Cambridge.
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].
For Donors
The Cambridge Community Foundation supports community-based nonprofit organizations that address local challenges and foster opportunities across the community. Investments in education and out of school time, economic security and opportunity, early childhood, racial equity, health and mental health, urgent and basic needs, senior services, civic engagement, immigrant services and arts and culture are supported by contributions to the Cambridge Endowment — our Community Fund.
The Community Fund is made up of a pool of funds, built by donors. Income from these funds is pooled to make grants that help ensure a vibrant, thriving, and inclusive Cambridge where everyone can access opportunity and a good quality of life. To learn ways to support Cambridge through the Community Fund, please contact Michal Rubin, Vice President of Development, at [email protected].
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.
Our Fall grants cycle is open.
Nonprofits serving Cambridge are invited to apply to the Community Fund until September 25.
CCF’s second annual Cambridge WINS awards $16K to summer youth sports.
We're supporting 18 summer sports programs designed for Cambridge youth who face barriers to access.
Working together for food security for all.
We joined Food For Free to celebrate a product of our partnership: a refrigerated truck that will get millions more meals to neighbors.
