Cambridge Awards $1 Million to Local Nonprofits Through Community Benefits Grant Program


11/10/2026

The City of Cambridge, through its Community Benefits Advisory Committee (CBAC), has selected 48 nonprofit organizations to receive just over $1 million a in grant funding. In July, the City announced a competitive funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations serving the Cambridge community. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 will support community-based organizations that address critical needs of Cambridge residents.

This round of grant funding was designed to support nonprofit organizations serving Cambridge residents through projects, programs, services, and related operating or capital expenses. Of the 117 eligible applicants, 48 were selected to receive grant awards. Eligible applicants were required to describe how the funding would address the needs identified through the City's Community Needs Assessment and support underserved Cambridge residents.

"The breadth and quality of applications we received speaks to the remarkable work being done by nonprofit organizations throughout Cambridge," said Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang. "Nonprofits bring expertise, trust, and strong relationships built through years of dedicated service within our community. We are proud to support these investments in programs and services that benefit residents across the City, particularly as many face economic pressures and shifting funding landscapes."

Eligible applicants requested a combined total of approximately $2.4 million in funding, underscoring both the significant needs facing residents and the vital role nonprofit organizations play in meeting those needs. Applicants represented a wide range of organizations, from small community-based nonprofits to larger institutions, and proposed projects addressing needs across the community, including support for youth and families, food security, health and wellness, economic opportunity, housing stability, arts and culture, immigrant services, and services for older adults.

“Our local nonprofits are essential partners in meeting the needs of Cambridge residents,” said Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui. “They provide critical support to residents facing housing, economic, health, and social challenges, and this work strengthens our entire community. These grants invest in the people and organizations doing this work every day, and they reflect the City’s commitment to building a more equitable and resilient Cambridge alongside our community partners.”

Community Benefits Advisory Committee members conducted a comprehensive review of all eligible proposals, evaluating each based on their ability to address significant or urgent needs, meet the needs of underserved Cambridge residents, and achieve the outcomes described in the application.

In making its recommendations, CBAC sought to support a diverse range of organizations, populations, neighborhoods, and community priorities. The 48 selected organizations represent a broad cross-section of Cambridge's nonprofit sector and will use grant funding to sustain and expand programs, strengthen organizational capacity, and respond to emerging community needs over the coming year.

Since 2017, the Community Benefits Advisory Committee has worked to address the complex needs of Cambridge residents and families by overseeing grants to community-based nonprofit organizations. The Committee's work is guided by a commitment to supporting organizations that are deeply connected to the communities they serve and well positioned to respond to residents' evolving needs. Funding for the grants comes from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund. More information about the impact of CBAC funds can be found in the 2025 CBAC Executive Summary Report.

A complete list of grant recipients for the 2026 funding round is provided below.

Adolescent Consultation Services, Inc.
Bethany Baptist Church
Black History in Action
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Inc.
Bridges Homeward
Cambridge Community Center
Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee
Cambridge Math Circle
Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, Inc.
Cambridge School Volunteers (CSV)
Cambridge Women's Center
CASPAR, Inc.
Central Square Theater
Citizens of the World, Inc.
Community Action Agency of Somerville, Inc.
Community Art Center, Inc.
Community Cooks
Community Servings, Inc.
De Novo Center for Justice & Healing
ENROOT INC.
First Parish in Cambridge
Food For Free Committee, Inc.
Food Link, Inc.
Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts, Inc.
Green Cambridge
Harvard Square Churches Meal Program, Inc.
Hildebrand Family Self-Help Center, Inc.
Just A Start
Majestic Community Wellness
Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House
Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS)
Material Aid and Advocacy Program
MBK Cambridge
Neighborhood Counseling & Community Services, Inc.
On The Rise
Resident Services Empowerment, Inc.
Science Club for Girls
Second Chances
Solutions At Work, Inc.
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services
St. Paul's Parish
Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts
The Maria L. Baldwin Community Center
The Wily Network
Transition House, Inc.
Tutoring Plus of Cambridge, Inc.
Vinfen
YWCA Cambridge