City of Cambridge Awards $4.3M to Cambridge Nonprofits through the Cambridge Nonprofit Recovery Fund

The City of Cambridge has awarded $4.3 million in grants to Cambridge nonprofit organizations through the Cambridge Nonprofit Recovery Fund (Fund). The Fund is a collaboration between the City of Cambridge, the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition (CNC) and Conduit Government Relations (CGR) to help address the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Cambridge nonprofits.

“We appreciated the expertise of Conduit Government Relations and the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition as we partnered to strengthen City’s nonprofit infrastructure through this critical grant program,” said City of Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang. “The City of Cambridge deeply values all of our amazing nonprofits and the role they play in our community. This initiative is part of ensuring that we are investing and strengthening our local nonprofits.”

The Fund has distributed 42 grants with an average award of $103,000 (see complete list of recipients below). It has provided both deep and broad support to the sector, bolstering organizations providing a wide range of programs in Cambridge, from early childhood education and youth development, to arts and culture, affordable housing preservation, shelter provision and much more.

“Cambridge nonprofits stepped up to meet the many diverse and complex needs of the community during the pandemic,” said Elena Sokolow-Kaufman of CNC. “However, our work has shown that even as we begin 2024, the nonprofit sector remains vulnerable to COVID-19’s economic impact and an increasingly difficult labor market. Sokolow-Kaufman added, “Shoring up these institutions remains one of the smartest things we can do with our federal recovery funds to ensure a future Cambridge that is stronger, more vibrant and inclusive.”

“We are proud to partner with the City of Cambridge and CNC to create and implement the Cambridge Nonprofit Recovery Fund to support Cambridge nonprofits in their efforts to maintain operations and continue to serve the community,” said Scott Carter, President and Chief Strategy Officer of CGR. “These grants will make a significant impact and help ensure that these organizations have the tools they need to succeed and serve their communities.”

The Cambridge Nonprofit Recovery Fund was designed to help the Cambridge nonprofit sector recover from the pandemic through grants covering related financial losses and increased operating expenses. Nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status, a Cambridge location and demonstrated financial loss and/or increased operating expenses due to COVID-19 were eligible for grants of up to $150,000.

About Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition

CNC is a growing network of 80+ Cambridge-serving nonprofits. Its mission is to advance equity and justice in the community by strengthening the Cambridge nonprofit sector, building collective voice, and promoting collaboration.

About Conduit Government Relations

Conduit Government Relations is a boutique government relations and public affairs firm headquartered in Washington, DC. We specialize in public affairs, government relations, strategic communications, and public relations. Our focus industries include food and food insecurity, water, waste, renewable energy, and agriculture.

Grantee List

Agassiz Baldwin Community

Ballet Theatre of Boston, Inc. d/b/a José Mateo Ballet Theatre

Boston Taekwando Project

Brattle Film Foundation 

Cambridge Adult Education

Cambridge Camping

Cambridge Community Center

Cambridge Community TV

Cambridge Historical Society DBA History Cambridge

Cambridge Jazz Foundation

Cambridge Local First

Cambridge Math Circle, Inc.

Cambridge Neighbors

Cambridge Volunteer Clearinghouse (Sponsor Inc)

Cambridge YMCA

Caritas Communities

CASPAR

Central Square Theater

Children's Village

Christ Church Cambridge

Cycle Kids

De Novo Center for Justice and Healing

East End House, Inc.

Family Opera, Inc. D/B/A North Cambridge Family Opera

Fenway Community Health Center, Inc.

Fletcher Maynard Academy Parent Teacher Organization

Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts, Inc.

Green Cambridge

Just A Start

Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House

Multicultural Arts Center

Navigation Games

Revels, Inc.

Science Club for Girls, Inc.

Second Chances, Inc.

Solutions at Work, Inc.

Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts

The Dance Complex

Urban Food Initiative, Inc. d/b/a Daily Table

Women's Educational Center, Inc dba Cambridge Women's Center

Y2Y Network, Inc.

YWCA Cambridge