For Nonprofits
Grant Programs
| Program | Target | Application Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Community Fund - Fall cycle | Responsive grants for community-based nonprofit organizations that address local challenges | Closing 12:00 pm, September 26, 2023 |
| Community Fund - Spring cycle | Responsive grants for community-based nonprofit organizations that address local challenges | Opening January 2024 |
| Imagined in Cambridge! Social Innovation Award | For emerging nonprofits and grassroots projects | Opening Spring 2024 |
| Imagined in Cambridge! Fund Microgrant | For social innovators that have previously applied for the Imagined in Cambridge! Social Innovation Award | Temporarily Closed |
| Food Access and Security Initiative | New program for nonprofits effecting transformational change in the Cambridge emergency food system. | Closed |
Online Grants System
To complete applications and reports, all organizations must register on our Grant Portal. To register your organization, please follow the procedure below:
- optional: Watch the “Applicant Tutorial Video” and review the “Create an Account/Log On” information here.
- Click here to access the portal.
- Click “Create New Account”
- Enter all required information:
- Organization information
- User information
- Executive Officer information
- Finally, set a password for your account.
After registering your organization, you will be able to begin applying to any of the Foundation’s open grant programs.
To apply to one of our grant programs, access the portal here:
Click here to view the Applicant Tutorial.
NOTICE: As of July 2023, CCF is managing all grant processes using a new online Grant Portal. All application and report forms will be available through this portal.
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events at this time
Frequently Asked Questions
Beginning in July 2023, CCF will be managing all grant processes using a new online Grant Portal. All application and report forms will be available through the portal.
To complete applications and reports, all organizations must register in the Grant Portal. To register your organization, please follow the procedure below:
-
- optional: Watch the “Applicant Tutorial Video” and review the “Create an Account/Log On” information here.
- Click here to access the Grant Portal.
- Click “Create New Account”
- Enter all required information:
- Organization information
- User information
- Executive Officer information
- Finally, set a password for your account.
After registering your organization, you will be able to begin applying to any of the Foundation’s open grant programs.
The Fall application will close 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.
Please note a slight adjustment in the deadline for the report form. The application, including the report form, is due by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, September 26th.
If you do not intend to apply in FY24 but received a grant in FY23, please contact the grantmaking team.
An organization can apply for a Community Fund grant once per fiscal year. The Cambridge Community Foundation’s fiscal year is July 1 – June 30.
Community Fund grants are for Cambridge-based organizations and organizations that provide services in Cambridge. If this describes your organization, then you are eligible to apply.
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].
Cambridge Community Foundation funding is available for existing programs, new programs, or for building the organization’s capacity and infrastructure.
General Operating Support grants are available to organizations with proven track records or for proposals that demonstrate clear and measurable outcomes and impact. We call these grants ‘negotiated’ general operating support grants, which allow you the flexibility to use funds at your discretion, while we assess your success based on established outcomes.
Applicants who are not 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for funding if they operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit, that serves the people of Cambridge. The application must provide evidence of fiscal sponsorship.
Please view the current grant programs to see which initiative programs are accepting applications.
All grant programs require a final report at the conclusion of the grant period. The report form is available on the grant dashboard, and asks grantees to describe the use of the funds in relation to the outcomes you stated in the grant proposal. High quality reports share progress, lessons, and constituent stories, if possible. A grant report must be received before further funding will be considered.
Resources and Opportunities
Funding
- September 26: Safety Net Grants – The Boston Foundation
- Forward Fund – Cambridge Redevelopment Authority
- September 30 and November 30: Capital Infrastructure Grants
- Rolling: Feasibility Study Grants
- October 17: Cambridge Arts
- Local Cultural Council Grants
- September 12: Info Session
- Organizational Investment Grants
- Art for Social Justice Grants
- Local Cultural Council Grants
- The Shubert Foundation
- October 18: Dance, Arts Related, and Shubert Scholars Grants
- December 5: Theatre Grants
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.
