Dear neighbors,
We live in a community of tremendous generosity. Philanthropy thrives in Cambridge, where we have a wealth of nonprofits addressing issues of poverty, social equity, the arts, education, the environment, mental health, to name just a few. Then again, many of us feel compelled to direct our giving to the national and global level. And all of us likely feel some fatigue by the number of choices and requests that come our way.
That’s why I would say, to quote one of my fellow Board members, “Save a little something for the Cambridge Community Foundation.” We are the foundation of and for all of Cambridge. We support and nourish the local nonprofit ecosystem by directly funding over 170 organizations that serve our neighbors. We create partnerships that amplify the impact of the organizations addressing issues we face as a community, whether it be food security or stabilizing families in crisis.
Especially today, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of national and global crises, but as a community foundation, we have the capacity to thoroughly understand what’s happening in our own community and to create impact at the hyperlocal level.
I frequently remind myself that it’s a privilege to live in this beautiful city. We come from all over the world to share in all its benefits of culture, diversity, access to education, participation in its innovation economy, not to mention its restaurants and public spaces. But those benefits are not shared equally. We still have poverty, food insecurity, and significant education gaps. These are addressable problems at the core of our mission.
So, give freely. Give to the organizations that you care deeply about. But also save a little something for the Cambridge Community Foundation. Help us protect all the qualities that make Cambridge a wonderful place to call home, and to make those same qualities accessible to everyone.
Best,
Phil Johnson
Board Chair
