The foundation of and for all of Cambridge; we harness the power of collective action to ensure a vibrant, just, and equitable city for everyone.
Cambridge Community Foundation’s recent grantmaking is anchored by large-scale support for food security and local civic infrastructure in Cambridge. Two $400,000 grants went to New Venture Fund in 2024, and several of the largest awards supported Cambridge-serving organizations working on food access, neighborhood stability, and education. That mix matches the foundation’s role as a community foundation with a broad local portfolio: it funds nonprofits, individual students, and place-based initiatives across arts, youth, housing, immigrant support, and basic needs. In 2024, Cambridge Economic Opportunity Comm received $344,289 for food-related work, while Food for Free received two major grants of $327,837 and $266,942. The foundation also backed Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, East End House, Just-a-start Corporation, and the Falcon Pride Scholarship Fund, showing a pattern of support that reaches both service providers and scholarship aid. Across the active programs, Cambridge Community Foundation uses annual community funding, targeted initiatives, and arts-space support to invest in Cambridge neighborhoods and organizations serving residents there. The foundation’s grantmaking is local in scope and strongly centered in Massachusetts, with a wide spread across Cambridge institutions and nearby community organizations.
Food security is one of the clearest themes in Cambridge Community Foundation’s recent grants. Cambridge Economic Opportunity Comm received $344,289 for food, and Food for Free received $327,837 for food-related work, showing direct support for the city’s food safety net. Education and youth development also appear consistently. Just-a-start Corporation received $185,829, and the Falcon Pride Scholarship Fund received $181,000, indicating support for both youth-serving organizations and student aid. The foundation also backs housing and economic stability. Sponsor Inc received $150,000, and Pathway for Immigarnt Workers received $55,000 for economic security. Arts and culture remain part of the portfolio as well, including $75,000 to Ma's House & BIPOC Art Studio Inc.
Typical grant sizes cluster around modest local awards: the p25 is $8,000, the median is $13,500, and the p75 is $25,000. The recent grant list also shows a smaller set of much larger strategic awards, including several six-figure grants. This is a community foundation with mixed DAF classification, and it combines open, unsolicited programs with targeted initiatives. The Community Fund, Cambridge WINS, Cambridge Artist Relief Fund, Arrow Street Arts Fund, ASA Fund, Cambridge Legal Defense Fund for Immigrants, Cambridge/Agassiz/Harvard Community, Culture, and Recreation Fund, and Imagined in Cambridge! all accept unsolicited requests, while the Food Access & Security Initiative and Culture Connects Cambridge are programmatic investments. The grant record is overwhelmingly recurring local support rather than one-off national grantmaking.
$3.4M
$68.9M
$11.8M
$7M
Most grants fall between $8K and $25K, with a median of $14K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$14K
75th Percentile
$25K
PHIL JOHNSON
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Grantmaking is concentrated in Cambridge, which accounts for 88% of grants in the HQ state of Massachusetts. Recent recipients include Cambridge Economic Opportunity Comm, Food for Free, Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, East End House, Just-a-start Corporation, and the City of Cambridge. Nearby Massachusetts recipients also include Jamaica Plain, Framingham, Waltham, Malden, and Boston. Outside the state, recent grants reached Washington, DC; Oakland, CA; Southampton, NY; and New York, NY.
Typical awards are modest, with a p25 of $8,000, a median of $13,500, and a p75 of $25,000. The recent record also includes a smaller number of much larger awards, including six-figure grants for programmatic or strategic work.
The foundation supports economic mobility, education, arts and culture, food security and basic needs, housing stability, immigrant and legal defense services, and nonprofit capacity and civic leadership. Recent grants also show support for youth development, scholarships, and community building.
Its giving is strongly local and concentrated in Massachusetts, with 88% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Many recent awards went to Cambridge-based organizations, but the record also includes nearby Massachusetts recipients such as Jamaica Plain, Framingham, Waltham, Malden, and Boston.
Yes. The Community Fund, Cambridge WINS, Cambridge Artist Relief Fund, Arrow Street Arts Fund, ASA Fund, Cambridge Legal Defense Fund for Immigrants, Cambridge/Agassiz/Harvard Community, Culture, and Recreation Fund, and Imagined in Cambridge! all accept unsolicited requests.
The recent grants include community nonprofits, arts and culture groups, educational institutions, scholarship funds, and city or regional partners. Examples include Cambridge Economic Opportunity Comm, Food for Free, Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, Just-a-start Corporation, Falcon Pride Scholarship Fund, and the City of Cambridge.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Cambridge Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations or public entities; program must serve people of Cambridge; proposals must be open to Cambridge residents and align with the fund's broad program priorities.
Deadline: Two annual deadlines: October 15 and April 15, due by 5:00 PM.
Who can apply: Local nonprofits providing direct services to people in need, including community centers, immigrant-serving organizations, and housing-related nonprofits.
Deadline: Emergency fund was used until depleted; no current deadline stated.
Who can apply: Not fully specified in the scraped content; described as supporting new ideas for Cambridge.
Deadline: Application opens Fall 2026.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOLIDAIRE NETWORK INC | OAKLAND, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $160,914 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| CAMBRIDGE NEWS INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $128,333 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $118,263 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| CAMBRIDGE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COMMITTEE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $100,827 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| BLACK ECONOMIC COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS INC | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| PATHWAY FOR IMMIGRANT WORKERS | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $80,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| FALCON PRIDE SCHOLARS | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $61,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| LONGY SCHOOL OF MUSIC OF BARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $60,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| THE CITY SCHOOL | DORCHESTER, MA | $56,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| DAILY TABLE | DORCHESTER, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY OF SOMERVILLE INC | SOMERVILLE, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION IN AMERICA | KANSAS CITY, MO | $47,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| CAMBRIDGE ART ASSOCIATION | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $46,089 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| JUST A START | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $46,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $45,890 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| FOOD FOR FREE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $45,141 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| CAMBRIDGE CAMPING ASSOCIATION | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $44,560 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| THE LOOP LAB | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $42,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY TELEVISION (CCTV) | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| CENTRAL SQUARE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $35,750 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| ADOLESCENT CONSULTATION SERVICES | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $35,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| EAST END HOUSE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $34,795 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| MYSTIC VALLEY YMCA | MALDEN, MA | $33,332 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CARE | DEDHAM, MA | $32,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| BREAKTHROUGH GREATER BOSTON | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $31,843 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| THE DANCE COMPLEX | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $31,100 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL | WALLINGFORD, CT | $30,162 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| LA COLABORATIVA | CHELSEA, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| WORK FORCE PROGRAM CAMBRIDGE HOUSING AUTHORITY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $27,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| COMMUNITY ART CENTER INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,200 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| BLACK HISTORY IN ACTION FOR CAMBRIDGEPORT | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| INNOVATORS FOR PURPOSE | ACTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| ACT INSTITUTE INC | SOMERVILLE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| ENROOT INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| MY BROTHER'S KEEPER TASK FORCE INC | NEWTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| CASPAR INC | SOMERVILLE, MA | $24,761 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| DE NOVO CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HEALING INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $23,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| HURRICANE ISLAND FOUNDATION | ROCKLAND, ME | $22,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| THE ALGEBRA PROJECT | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $22,393 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| YOUNG PEOPLE'S PROJECT | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $21,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| FURNISHING HOPE OF MASSACHUSETTS INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $20,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| MIDDAY MOVEMENT SERIES | BOSTON, MA | $20,450 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| CARITAS COMMUNITIES | BRAINTREE, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| HOMEOWNERS REHAB INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| SOMERVILLE-CAMBRIDGE ELDER SERVICES | SOMERVILLE, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| EARTHJUSTICE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| MASSACHUSETTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALLIANCE | DORCHESTER, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
| TRANSITION HOUSE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE |
CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER
$160,914PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
CAMBRIDGE NEWS INC
$128,333PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
CAMBRIDGE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COMMITTEE
$100,827PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
PATHWAY FOR IMMIGRANT WORKERS
$80,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
FALCON PRIDE SCHOLARS
$61,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY OF SOMERVILLE INC
$50,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION IN AMERICA
$47,500PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
CAMBRIDGE ART ASSOCIATION
$46,089PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$45,890PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY TELEVISION (CCTV)
$40,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
CENTRAL SQUARE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
$35,750PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
EAST END HOUSE
$34,795PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
MYSTIC VALLEY YMCA
$33,332PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
THE DANCE COMPLEX
$31,100PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL
$30,162PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
WORK FORCE PROGRAM CAMBRIDGE HOUSING AUTHORITY
$27,500PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
COMMUNITY ART CENTER INC
$25,200PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
BLACK HISTORY IN ACTION FOR CAMBRIDGEPORT
$25,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
ACT INSTITUTE INC
$25,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
CASPAR INC
$24,761PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
THE ALGEBRA PROJECT
$22,393PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
FURNISHING HOPE OF MASSACHUSETTS INC
$20,500PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
MIDDAY MOVEMENT SERIES
$20,450PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
HOMEOWNERS REHAB INC
$20,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
SOMERVILLE-CAMBRIDGE ELDER SERVICES
$20,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
TRANSITION HOUSE
$20,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE