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

• The applicant should be based in Cambridge at the time of submission.
• The project must serve Cambridge and benefit those who live in or rely on Cambridge
• The project must be aligned with the goals of the Imagined in Cambridge! Award.
• 501(c)(3) tax status is NOT REQUIRED
• Applications are encouraged from individuals, students, groups, entrepreneurs, and emerging nonprofits.
• Previous CCF Community Fund grant recipients are NOT ELIGIBLE to apply.
• 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 Making Good Minigrants program instead. Please select the program that is the best fit for your project; applicants can apply for either the Imagined in Cambridge! Award or the minigrants program in the Spring 2026 grant cycle, but not both. If you have questions about which program best fits your idea, please email us at [email protected] and we will help you decide.

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 Making Good Minigrants program is better for early-stage ideas or projects still in the brainstorming phase.

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.

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 via our form. 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. After the application window closes, a panel of judges comprised of local leaders will evaluate all submitted applications and select up to five award winners.

The judging panel will review applications based on several factors. They look for a clear and well-defined idea that meets the definition of social innovation, demonstrates connection to Cambridge, and 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.

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 innovative project and expand its impact.

Applicants are usually notified within about a month after the application deadline. All applicants, whether selected or not, will receive an update via email once final decisions are made. The award winners will be publicly announced in June.

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

For any questions related to eligibility, the application process, or the award itself, please contact the programs and grantmaking team at [email protected].