IMAGINED IN CAMBRIDGE! AWARD

The Imagined in Cambridge Award welcomes applications that meet the following criteria:

• The project must serve Cambridge and benefit those who live in or rely on Cambridge
• Previous CCF Community Fund grant recipients are NOT ELIGIBLE to apply
• 501(c)(3) tax status is NOT REQUIRED
• Applications are encouraged from individuals, students, groups, entrepreneurs, and emerging nonprofits.
• The project must be aligned with the goals of the Imagined in Cambridge! Award.

Applicants must have tested or piloted their idea to qualify for this award. If you are still brainstorming, you may want to apply for the Foundation’s Microgrant program instead.

Applications for the 2025 award cycle will open on March 10, 2025, and close on April 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

All applications must be submitted through CCF’s online Application Portal. If you need help setting up an account or accessing the portal, you’ll find step-by-step instructions linked in the sidebar. If your organization already has a CCF Application Portal account and you need to add another user, you can contact Brandon Solis at [email protected].

Both options are available. If you have a project you’re working on, you are encouraged to apply directly. If you know of an individual, group, or organization whose work aligns with the goals of this award, you can submit a nomination here. Nominees who meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to apply.

The application is designed to be straightforward and gives you the opportunity to share your idea and its impact. You’ll start by sharing basic information about your project, your applicant type (individual, student, group, etc.), and your connection to Cambridge. From there, you’ll describe your project by either submitting a written response (up to 3,000 characters) or a short video (up to 2 minutes).

You’ll also explain the community need that your project addresses, how you’ve already started putting your idea into action, what makes your approach creative or innovative, and how the $5,000 award would help you support or take your work further over the next year. If you choose, you can also include an optional letter of support from someone who knows your project well.

Currently, there are no specific restrictions on how the grant funds can be used. However, applicants must clearly explain how they intend to use the funding to advance their project and expand its impact.

Judges review applications based on several factors. They look for a clear and well-defined idea with a strong purpose, a demonstrated connection to Cambridge, and a project that addresses a real community need. They also consider how much progress you’ve already made, how creative and innovative your approach is, and whether your project has the potential to grow and serve more people — either in Cambridge or beyond. Finally, judges look at whether receiving this award would meaningfully advance your work. They look for ideas that address unmet community needs, focusing on creativity, courage, and ambition to enhance the quality of life in Cambridge.

If you have questions or need assistance with your application, you can contact the grantmaking team at [email protected]. Nominees who are invited to apply will be provided with the necessary details and guidance needed for the application process.

Applicants are usually notified within about a month after the application deadline. All applicants, whether selected or not, will receive an update once final decisions are made.

You can read about past winners and their inspiring projects on this page

The Imagined in Cambridge! Award supports projects that have already been tested or piloted and are ready to be celebrated or may be ready to grow. The Microgrants Program is better for early-stage ideas or projects still in the brainstorming phase.

For any questions related to eligibility, the application process, or the award itself, please contact Brandon Solis at [email protected].