The Imagined in Cambridge! Social Innovation Award is an annual program of the Cambridge Community Foundation that recognizes and supports emerging social innovators who are addressing urgent local issues through creative, courageous, and ambitious initiatives. Designed to uplift individuals or organizations working to improve life in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this award also aims to inspire broader social change through the power of localized innovation.

Each year, a panel of Cambridge community leaders serves as judges to select the winning projects. These winners each receive a $5,000 award to further implement or expand their social innovation efforts. Awarded ideas must address unmet community needs and demonstrate potential to significantly enhance quality of life within Cambridge. This opportunity is targeted at those who are already piloting or testing their innovative projects. Those with ideas not yet in the piloting stage may instead be eligible for the Foundation’s Microgrant program.

The 2025 application period opens on March 10 and closes at 11:59 PM on April 15. Applications are accepted from both individuals and organizations via the Cambridge Community Foundation’s online application portal. Community members are also encouraged to submit nominations for others whose work they believe exemplifies the spirit of the award.

There are no specified restrictions on how recipients may use the award funds, allowing flexibility in applying the grant toward various stages or aspects of their projects. Applications are evaluated on the basis of creativity, ambition, and the potential to address community needs in impactful ways. Resources such as an application preview and separate instructions for individuals and organizations are available to assist applicants in preparing their submissions.

The Foundation typically notifies applicants of selection decisions after the close of the application period. For questions about the application process or award criteria, applicants are encouraged to contact Brandon Solis, Programs and Grantmaking Associate, via email or phone. The Foundation’s offices are located at 99 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge, MA.