Forward Fund – Capital Infrastructure Grant

Forward Fund – Capital Infrastructure Grant is a grant from the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) that funds capital improvement projects for nonprofits and community organizations in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Awards of up to $75,000 are available, with application cycles reviewed in April and September annually; the next deadline is May 20, 2026. In 2025, the CRA allocated $600,000 to the program.

Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits or community groups with a fiscal sponsor that own or operate community facilities in Cambridge under a lease of five or more years. Projects must align with the CRA's 2023 Strategic Plan and the Envision Cambridge Citywide Plan.

Forward Fund — Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Capital infrastructure and Feasibility study Grants Check out the video to learn more about the Forward Fund and the 2025 Program! The Forward Fund launched its 2025 grant program in February 2025. Capital Infrastructure Grant applications will be reviewed twice during the year.

To be considered in the first review cycle, applications are due April 4th, for the second review cycle applications are due September 5th. Feasibility Study applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis until September 5, 2025. Access the 2025 grant applications by clicking the buttons below, and visit here to see past Forward Fund projects (2015 - 2024) .

Capital Infrastructure Grant Application Feasibility Study Grant Application MathTalks - 2018 Forward Fund Awardee This year, the CRA has allocated $600,000 to the Forward Fund program, to invest in Cambridge’s non-profit community and provide funds to plan and implement capital projects.

The Forward Fund prioritizes organizations that are helping to achieve the priorities identified in the CRA’s 2023 Strategic Plan , and the City’s Envision Cambridge Citywide Plan .

Just A Start Financial Empowerment Collaborative at 55 Norfolk Street - 2019 Forward Fund Awardee (Photo Credit Elizabeth Pierre) O’Connell Library Park - East Cambridge Open Space Trust - 2018 Forward Fund Awardee Central Square BID Murals - 2018 Forward Fund Awardee Magazine Beach Public Boat Dock by the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association - 2017 Forward Fund Awardee Capital Infrastructure Grants: The Capital Infrastructure Grant program funds the cost of capital infrastructure projects, including materials, project management, and labor to build, renovate, repair, or improve new or existing structures and open space amenities.

See details below: Capital Infrastructure Grant Overview Grant Cap: Up to $100,000 Matching Fund Requirement: 1:1 matches are required for projects requesting more than $50,000. There is no matching fund requirement for projects requesting $50,000 or less. For greater clarity please see the examples below.

An organization has a project that costs $30,000. It would be eligible for a Forward Fund grant of $30,000 with no matching fund requirements. An organization has a project that costs $80,000.

It would be eligible for a Forward Fund grant of $65,000, showing $15,000 of matching funds. An organization has a project that costs $100,000. It would be eligible for a Forward Fund grant of $75,000, showing $25,000 of matching funds An organization has a project that costs $150,000.

It would be eligible for a Forward Fund grant of $100,000, showing $50,000 of matching funds. Project Completion Requirement: Two years upon execution of the grant agreement. Payment Structure: 50% funding up-front, 50% after completion.

Eligible Applicants: See below for more details. Application Review Dates: April 4, 2025 & September 5, 2025. Applicants can submit applications for review on either date.

Evaluation Process: A Selection Committee, made up of staff from the CRA and City of Cambridge, reviews and makes recommendations on all applications. See below for evaluation criteria. A feasibility study informs the process, design, and resources needed to complete a capital infrastructure project.

Additionally, feasibility studies are able to include community engagement work to inform capital infrastructure improvements within their feasibility study grant scope. Community engagement processes for non-profits within a feasibility study can help organizations tap into their represented community and understand thoughts, impacts, concerns, and other insights that an organization might be unaware of for a given capital project.

Community engagement funds within a feasibility study could be allocated toward: Hiring a consultant to facilitate, strategize, and/or implement a community engagement process, Hosting community events: space rentals, incentives for community participation, translation services, food, etc., Outreach Materials: flyers, posters, surveys, and other engagement materials, Non-profit staff time, up to a limit of 20% of the requested Feasibility Study grant, to manage engagement work related to a capital project.

Feasibility Study Grant Overview: Matching Fund Requirement: none Project Completion Requirement: One year upon execution of the grant agreement. Payment Structure: 50% funding up-front, 50% after completion. Eligible Applicants: See below for more details.

Application Deadline: Proposals will be evaluated throughout the year on a rolling basis until September 5, 2025, or until funds are allocated. Evaluation Process: CRA staff reviews all feasibility studies. See below for evaluation criteria.

Projects will be scored based on the following criteria: The application includes a clear narrative on how the project aligns with the action items identified in the CRA’s 2023 Strategic Plan , or the Envision Cambridge citywide plan. The applicant demonstrates staff capacity for the organization to successfully implement the project. The project is feasible and can be implemented within a one/two-year time frame.

Additionally, if the project/study costs more than what is requested from the Forward Fund, the applicant has a plan to pay for the remaining cost of the project/study. The project has a high level of public accessibility or visibility.

The applicant has a clear narrative on how the organization’s space that will be improved by the capital project meets ADA accessibility standards , and/or how the proposed capital project incorporates efforts to improve accessibility. Accessibility encompasses, but is not limited to, different physical, emotional, and mental needs of the public. The project aspires to sustainable best practices (as applicable).

Environmental sustainability in capital infrastructure projects can relate to many aspects, ranging from energy efficient mechanical equipment, use of sustainable and recycled materials, to responsible disposal of construction waste. For more details, refer to the City’s Envision Cambridge Climate and Environment Plan , and Sustainable Development page. The project has an ability to inspire or facilitate other community investments.

Any non-profit organization in Cambridge that owns or operates community facilities. The organization’s mission should provide support, social services, and/or resources to those in Cambridge, with the goal of helping to achieve the CRA’s 2023 Strategic Plan , or the City’s Envision Cambridge citywide plan. Eligibility Criteria: The criteria below must be met for a project or organization to be eligible: The project is in Cambridge.

The applicant is a nonprofit organization (501c3), or a community group or organization with a fiscal (501c3) sponsor. The applicant has control over the proposed project site, or has a letter of support from the property owner detailing a long-term lease, or other agreement.

The project will fund a capital improvement project/study that has not yet been completed, and is not intended for programming or other non-capital infrastructure work including but not limited to items such as laptops, monitors, recording equipment, furniture, etc. The applicant can explain how the project being studied/implemented will help achieve the priorities identified in the CRA’s 2023 Strategic Plan , or the City’s Envision Cambridge citywide plan.

The project is publicly accessible, or is part of an institution with a civic/social/neighborhood mission that serves the community. Forward Fund Past Projects The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority’s Forward Fund (the Fund) is a grant program created in 2015, to invest development funds generated in the Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Area, into projects led by non-profit organizations and community groups in the City of Cambridge.

The Fund’s goal is to provide financial assistance for capital infrastructure projects that will improve or maintain the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of organizations that provide services for the benefit of the City's residents, workers, and visitors. Over the past few years, the CRA has provided over $3,000,000 in grants, which have supported 80 projects.

These projects have ranged in scope from public art murals, innovative bike parking solutions, a financial literacy center, upgrades to a food pantry, and more. class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-button-element--primary sqs-block-button-element" EXPLORE THE WINNERS IN MORE DETAIL Frequently Asked Questions Who is Eligible to Apply? All projects must be based in Cambridge and demonstrate a tangible benefit to Cambridge citizens.

Only projects that demonstrate a direct value to the City of Cambridge residents, workers, or visitors will be considered for funding. Neighborhood groups, human services organizations, and civic organizations whose mission and work consists of providing services, resources, and support to improve or maintain the local quality of life, the organization’s efficiency, and accessibility for the benefit of all.

Associations that can establish a nonprofit objective Organizations that can establish a nonprofit objective – that is, groups of individuals coming together with a common purpose that does not have nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Applicants of this type must have an agreement with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor in order to be eligible. The CRA cannot disburse funds to groups without a 501(c)(3) status.

Can funds be used outside of Kendall Square? Yes. Proposals for projects sited throughout Cambridge are eligible and encouraged.

Will there be another round of Forward Fund grants in the future and if so, how frequently? Yes. The Forward Fund is a grant program that is projected to continue providing funding resources on a yearly basis.

Will past Technical Assistance grantees receive priority in the next round of funding for Community Capital Infrastructure grants? The purpose of the Technical Assistance grants is to enhance an applicant's capacity to execute a physical project. To this end, it is expected that Technical Assistance grantees to be more competitive in their eventual application for a Community Capital Infrastructure grant.

If the applying organization is not the property owner of record, can they still apply for a Forward Fund Grant? Yes. The applying organization must include a signed and dated letter from the owner stating the nature of the long-term lease agreement and a copy of the lease.

Contact information for the owner should be provided. Don't see your question? Contact us at planning@cambridgeredevelopment.

org or (617) 492-6800 All interested parties with questions are encouraged to contact 255 Main Street, 8th Floor, The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority is committed to implementing imaginative, creative initiatives to achieve social equity and a balanced economic ecosystem. We work in the public trust to bring a human dimension to development, improving the quality of life for residents, businesses, employees, and visitors.

Our goal is to balance economic vibrancy, housing, and open space... LEARN MORE >