The Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD), in partnership with the Hideo Sasaki Foundation, is offering five mini-grants of $2,000 each to support youth wellness initiatives in Cambridge. These grants are designed to promote mental wellness among youth aged 12-18 by funding projects that introduce new practices in youth centers, arts programs, and community organizations or encourage greater utilization of existing local resources. The grants will be awarded through a competitive selection process conducted by representatives from nonprofits and city departments, including CPHD.

Eligible applicants for the grant include Cambridge-based employers, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations that serve youth between the ages of 12 and 18. While multiple applications from the same organization are allowed, they must be for distinct projects and submitted by different staff members. Applicants must also have a fiscal agent that is a registered nonprofit organization, as individuals are not eligible to apply. Organizations that have received funding in past years may reapply if they propose new projects or if they seek funding for up to three consecutive years with new ideas that build upon previously funded projects.

Selection criteria for grant awards include the promotion of youth wellness, overall quality of the proposal, evidence of collaboration and community engagement, sustainability of proposed practices, and the potential for securing additional funding sources. Additionally, two or more partners from different organizations with overlapping youth mental health projects may jointly apply for two grants in a single application, provided they demonstrate project feasibility, existing successful work, and include letters of commitment from all key partners.

Grant recipients will receive funding to cover project expenses, technical assistance for planning the proposed activity if requested, and potential assistance with publicity. Awardees must designate a staff person to oversee program implementation, participate in evaluation surveys, complete the project by January 9, 2026, provide a project update in October 2025, and submit a final summary report with photos by January 30, 2026.

Applications must be submitted via a Google form on the Cambridge Public Health Department’s website. The deadline for submission is April 4, 2025. For further inquiries, applicants may contact Sarah Lincoln at salincoln@cambridgepublichealth.org.