Community Fund (Massachusetts)

Community Fund (Massachusetts) is sponsored by Cambridge Community Foundation. General investments supporting local community-based nonprofit organizations addressing local challenges, which explicitly includes arts and culture projects alongside community engagement.

Community Fund - Cambridge Community Foundation Community Fund Jenny White 2026-11-04T13:37:59-05:00 The Cambridge Community Foundation supports community-based nonprofit organizations that address local challenges and foster opportunities across the community. Community Reviewers volunteer to read applications and make funding recommendations that best support Cambridge.

Community Fund grants make investments in many areas, including arts and culture, child and youth development, community building and engagement, economic security, education, environment, food, health and wellbeing, and housing. In 2026, the Community Fund distributed $1. 37M to 157 Cambridge-serving organizations .

Application is now open until January 6, 2027 at 1 1:59pm. Grants supporting Cambridge-serving organizations. Up to $25,000 may be awarded for either programmatic or general operating use.

Info sessions will be held periodically while the application is open. Dates will be announced on this page when the application opens. Senior Programs and Grantmaking Associate Your organization is encouraged to apply if it aligns with the following eligibility considerations: Nonprofit status: Your organization must have an active 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or work with a fiscal sponsor.

Application limit: Each organization may submit only one application per year. Community connection: Your organization must actively engage with the Cambridge community and serve people who live in or rely on Cambridge. Priority is given to organizations that have strong, ongoing relationships within the community.

Other CCF funding: If your organization currently has an active grant from another CCF program, please contact us to determine if you are eligible to apply for the Community Fund. Organizations selected to receive a grant from the Community Fund may use funding at their discretion, including for general operating expenses.

The Community Fund does not make grants for any of the following purposes: Capital improvement campaigns Reimbursement for events or activities that take place outside the grant period CCF grant funding supports nonprofits that preserve strengths, address challenges, and foster opportunities for those who live in or rely on Cambridge.

All Community Fund applications are read by a panel of community reviewers , who make recommendations for funding based on the work they feel best supports the needs of the community.

Typically, reviewers find applications that include the following to be the strongest: How your organization or program addresses specific community needs in Cambridge; why your organization or program is operating in Cambridge (especially for organizations or programs that serve communities beyond Cambridge) Both qualitative and quantitative information about the impact of your organization or program A description of the goals your organization or program intends to accomplish during the grant period Organizations that receive a grant in FY2 7 and intend to apply in FY2 8 will complete a report as part of the FY2 8 application.

FY27 grantees that do not apply in FY2 8 will be asked to submit a report before the end of the grant period. Frequently Asked Questions What is new about the FY27 application? Jenny White 2026-10-20T12:48:59-04:00 What is new about the FY27 application?

The FY27 application has been slightly updates to save you time and help our reviewers make more informed recommendations. The FY27 application is not available; the FY26 application is available here. Can my organization apply for a grant this cycle?

Jenny White 2026-10-20T12:49:46-04:00 Can my organization apply for a grant this cycle? Your organization is encouraged to apply if it aligns with the following eligibility considerations: Nonprofit status: Your organization must have an active 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or work with a fiscal sponsor. Application limit: Each organization may submit only one application per year.

Community connection: Your organization must actively engage with the Cambridge community and serve people who live in or rely on Cambridge. Priority is given to organizations that have strong, ongoing relationships within the community. Other CCF funding: If your organization currently has an active grant from another CCF program, please contact us to determine if you are eligible to apply for the Community Fund.

Please note that the Community Fund does not make grants for any of the following purposes: Capital improvement campaigns Reimbursement for events or activities that take place outside the grant period How much funding should I request? Jenny White 2026-10-20T12:50:19-04:00 How much funding should I request? Applicant organizations may request up to $ 25,000 each cycle.

Due to the large number of organizations, please note that few grantees receive their full request amount. In FY2 6 , the median grant amount was $ 6, 0 00 and the average grant amount was $8, 735 . How competitive is grant funding?

Jenny White 2026-10-20T12:50:53-04:00 How competitive is grant funding? The level of competitiveness varies each year. In the most recent year, over 60 % of organizations that applied received grant funding.

Partial funding is possible. I received a FY25 Community Fund grant, how do I submit my report? Jenny White 2026-10-20T12:51:27-04:00 I received a FY25 Community Fund grant, how do I submit my report?

The report form for all FY2 6 Community Fund grants will be part of the FY2 7 application. If you do not apply in FY2 7 , our team will reach out to share the report form. Each year, the application asks what my organization needs beyond funding.

Will CCF follow up on this? Jenny White 2026-10-20T12:52:09-04:00 Each year, the application asks what my organization needs beyond funding. Will CCF follow up on this?

CCF's grantmaking team is working to facilitate programs and services that address the additional needs of our nonprofit partners; the information you've provided in this section of the application informs this work. Please note that these questions are always optional and are not used to make a funding decision. Catch our latest stories in grantmaking and programs.

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CCF Invests $1. 37M in 157 Nonprofits Through Annual Community Fund This investment in organizations working across Cambridge is possible thanks to our endowment and deep partnership with donor advised fundholders who joined as co-investors. News and Stories from Cambridge in your inbox.

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