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Aerial photo of City Hall by Kyle Klein

Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund

The Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund was activated by Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Louis A. DePasquale in response to the public health crisis created by COVID-19. The City has been receiving donations to provide emergency assistance to individuals and families in Cambridge who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.

Through the generosity of Cambridge residents and local corporations, the Fund will allow the City of Cambridge to assist as many people as possible that are in need due to this crisis. We would also like to thank the individuals, non-profits and businesses that have come together to donate supplies, food and masks during this critical time of need. View a list of all the in-kind donations provided throughout the City of Cambridge.

Under guidelines issued by the Fund’s Trustees, the City is prioritizing applicants who demonstrate a loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The funds are being allocated for rent and/or utility payments or other household needs. Funds are also being allocated for mortgage payments for homes purchased through the City’s affordable homeownership programs. While residents may be eligible for 3 out of the 4 identified categories, no household will be eligible to receive more than an overall total payment of $4,000 at this time. Immigration status will not be a factor in determining applicant eligibility. The City's goal is to mail checks for relief funds twice a week to ensure that Cambridge residents are receiving financial assistance as quickly as possible.

$500,000 from the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund was also used to support Cambridge small businesses. Qualifying businesses were eligible to receive grants of up to $10,000 to assist with rent, salaries, utilities and cost of goods which will not have to be repaid. The grant criteria prioritized businesses that have been more severely affected by the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As of May 15th, new applications for financial relief through the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund have been paused. We know this pandemic will go through many different phases and have long lasting effects in our community. Knowing this, the Mayor is committed to continue fundraising to ensure the City is able to help residents, families and businesses throughout the duration of the pandemic and its aftermath. We hope to reopen applications soon.

If you would like to contribute to the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund, you can make your generous donation below.

How to Donate

Secure donations can be made online using the “Donate Now” button or by mailing donation checks made payable to “Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund – COVID-19” to:

Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund
c/o Finance Department
Cambridge City Hall
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139

Donate Now

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Thank You to Our Donors

  • Community Heroes ($2 million+)

    • TakedaTakeda
  • Community Leaders ($1 million+)

    • BiogenBiogen
  • Community Pioneers ($500,000+)

    • Terry and Susan RagonTerry and Susan Ragon
  • Community Trailblazers ($250,000+)

    • AmgenAmgen
  • Community Champions ($100,000+)

    • Peoplestone Foundation LogoPopplestone Foundation
    • Boston PropertiesBoston Properties
  • Community Partners ($50,000+)

    • MITMIT
    • AlexandriaAlexandria
    • John Moriarty & AssociatesJohn Moriarty & Associates
    • DivcoWest Real Estate InvestmentsDivcoWest Real Estate Investments
  • Community Advocates ($25,000+)

    • CambridgeSide Partners, LLCCambridgeside Partners, LLC
    • BioMed RealtyBioMed Realty
    • Cambridge TrustCambridge Trust
    • Cambridge Savings BankCambridge Savings Bank
    • IQHQ LogoIQHQ
    • Anonymous Cambridge ResidentAnonymous Cambridge Resident
  • Community Allies ($10,000+)

    • PDB FoundationPDB Foundation
    • DiGiovanni Family Limited PartnershipDiGiovanni Family Limited Partnership
    • Anonymous Cambridge ResidentAnonymous Cambridge Resident
    • RevClinics LogoRevolutionary Clinics
    • Leggat McCall PropertiesLeggat McCall Properties
    • Intercontinental Real Estate CorporationIntercontinental Real Estate Corporation
    • Tarragon LLCTarragon, LLC
    • Harvard University logoHarvard University
    • Moonbox Productions LogoMoonbox Productions
    • Siena ConstructionSiena Construction Company
  • Community Supporters ($5,000+)

    • Anonymous Cambridge ResidentAnonymous Cambridge Resident
    • Anonymous Cambridge ResidentAnonymous Cambridge Resident
    • Anonymous Cambridge ResidentAnonymous Cambridge Resident
    • Anonymous Cambridge ResidentAnonymous Cambridge Resident
    • Anonymous Cambridge ResidentAnonymous Cambridge Resident
    • Anonymous Cambridge ResidentAnonymous Cambridge Resident
    • Anonymous Cambridge ResidentAnonymous Cambridge Resident
    • M.F. Keane ContractingM.F. Keene Contracting
    • Pentacostal TabernaclePentecostal Tabernacle
    • Galluccio & Watson, LLP LogoGalluccio & Watson
    • Princeton Area Community FoundationPrinceton Area Community Foundation
    • Turner ConstructionTurner Construction Company
    • MIT Community LogoMIT Community
    • First Cambridge Realty CorporationFirst Cambridge Realty Corporation
    • Lesley UniversityLesley University

Contact Information

For more information or questions, please contact:
Madelein McCormick
Chief of Staff
MMcCormick@CambridgeMA.gov
Office of Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui

Page was posted on 4/16/2020 11:15 AM
Page was last modified on 7/25/2023 12:26 AM
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