The Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) offers Community Fund Grants to nonprofit organizations addressing local challenges and creating opportunities in Cambridge. The grants support a broad range of focus areas, including arts and culture, child and youth development, community engagement, economic security, education, the environment, food access, health and well-being, and housing. These grants are reviewed and recommended by a panel of Community Reviewers who assess how well applications align with the community’s needs. In FY24, the program awarded $920,500 to 129 organizations serving Cambridge.

Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or a fiscal sponsor, submit only one application per cycle, and serve individuals who live in or rely on Cambridge. Grant funds may be used flexibly, including for general operating expenses, but cannot be applied toward endowment or capital improvement campaigns, or for reimbursement of events outside the grant period. Applications that include clear evidence of addressing specific community needs, both qualitative and quantitative impact data, and clear goals for the grant period are typically more competitive.

The FY25 grant application period opens on November 12, 2024, and closes on January 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM. The maximum grant amount is $25,000, which can be used for operational or programmatic expenses. Interested applicants can access a preview of the application on October 28, 2024, via the application portal. CCF offers multiple informational sessions to help applicants navigate the process, including one on January 9, 2025, at 2 PM.

The application process involves a review period from February to March 2025, during which applicants may be contacted for additional details. Notifications regarding grant decisions will be issued in April 2025, with funds disbursed shortly thereafter. Organizations must submit a report as part of their FY25 application or by the end of the grant period if they do not reapply in FY25.

Organizations interested in applying can contact Danny DiCamillo, Senior Programs and Grantmaking Associate, for assistance or to book a meeting. Additional resources, including application guidelines and recordings of past informational sessions, are available to support prospective applicants. These grants represent a vital opportunity for nonprofits to sustain and expand their work in Cambridge.