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Tufts Community Grants

Annual Giving
$0.1M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
35%

Tufts Community Grants

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $105,000
  • Success Rate: Approximately 35% (35 awards from 100+ applications in 2023)
  • Decision Time: 3 months (February application to May announcement)
  • Grant Amount: $3,000 (fixed amount for all awards)
  • Geographic Focus: Boston, Grafton, Medford, and Somerville, Massachusetts
  • Number of Annual Awards: 35 grants

Contact Details

Government & Community Relations

Overview

The Tufts Community Grants (TCG) program was established in November 1995 to support Tufts University's host communities and recognize the important work being done by nonprofit organizations that actively engage Tufts volunteers. Since its founding, the program has awarded grants to over 150 nonprofit organizations across Boston, Grafton, Medford, and Somerville. The program is entirely funded by donations from Tufts University faculty and staff through the annual Tufts Community Appeal (TCA), with a generous 2:1 matching gift from Cummings Foundation that triples every dollar donated, up to $200,000. The TCG board, comprised of 17 Tufts staff and faculty volunteers representing all four campuses, evaluates grant proposals and awards funding. In recent years, the program has grown significantly, increasing grant amounts from $1,000 in 2022 to $2,000 in 2023, and $3,000 in 2024, distributing a total of $105,000 annually to 35 organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Program

  • Tufts Community Grants: $3,000 per award (fixed amount)
    • 35 grants awarded annually
    • Total annual distribution: $105,000
    • Application period: February 1-28 annually
    • Decisions announced: May
    • Funds must be used by December 31 of award year

Priority Areas

The program supports a wide range of community needs, with recent grants addressing:

  • Food Security: Food pantries, grocery assistance, fresh food rescue and distribution
  • Education: ESL programs, literacy materials, educational field trips, special education resources
  • Youth Programs: After-school programs, arts education, music programs, mentorship initiatives
  • Health & Social Services: Mental health programs, caregiver support, homeless services, healthcare access
  • Environmental Education: Urban farming, climate change education, environmental stewardship
  • Arts & Culture: Visual arts programs, music workshops, cultural heritage programs
  • Community Infrastructure: Equipment purchases that enable program delivery

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, government agency, K-12 public/charter school, or faith-based organization providing community services
  • Be based in or primarily serve Boston, Grafton, Medford, or Somerville
  • Have had at least one Tufts student, staff, or faculty member actively involved as a volunteer in the past year

What They Don't Fund

  • General operating budgets
  • Staff salaries
  • Annual fundraisers, galas, or similar events
  • Event sponsorships (separate sponsorship form available)

Governance and Leadership

TCG Board

The Tufts Community Grants board consists of 17 staff and faculty volunteers representing all four Tufts campuses across various disciplines and schools, including the School of Medicine, Engineering, Economics, Communications, and University Police.

Board Leadership:

  • Sunil Kumar: President and Chair

Staff Contact

  • Government & Community Relations Office: Primary point of contact for all TCG inquiries

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted exclusively during the annual application window:

  • Application Period: February 1-28 each year
  • Application Method: Online application at go.tufts.edu/tcg
  • Pre-Application Inquiries: Contact communityrelations@tufts.edu or (617) 627-3780

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: February 28
  • Decision Notification: May (approximately 3 months after deadline)
  • Grant Use Deadline: December 31 of award year
  • Impact Report Due: December 31 of award year

Success Rates

In 2023, the program received over 100 applications (a record number) and awarded 35 grants, representing approximately a 35% success rate. This was the highest number of applicants the program had ever received, indicating growing competition.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply annually. Many organizations have received multiple grants over the years, and the program explicitly welcomes both first-time and returning applicants.

Application Success Factors

Critical Success Factor: Tufts Volunteer Engagement

The most important criterion is demonstrating active Tufts volunteer involvement. The TCG board states: "The TCG Board is committed to awarding grants to nonprofits that work with volunteers from Tufts University (students, staff, and faculty)." Organizations must have had at least one Tufts volunteer actively involved in the past year.

Strong Application Elements Based on Recent Awards

1. Specific, Concrete Projects Successful applications request funding for clearly defined projects or purchases rather than general support. Examples of funded projects include:

  • "Books and instructional materials for 100 students" (Asian American Civic Association, 2024)
  • "Refrigerator for perishable grocery storage" (Somerville Homeless Coalition, 2024)
  • "Irrigation system installation for community garden" (Sociedad Latina, 2024)
  • "Summer Success Starter Backpacks" (Mystic Learning Center, 2024)

2. Direct Community Impact Applications should clearly articulate how the project will directly benefit residents of Boston, Grafton, Medford, or Somerville. Specify:

  • Number of community members served
  • Demographics of beneficiaries
  • Tangible outcomes expected

3. Alignment with Community Needs Recent funding patterns show strong support for:

  • Food insecurity initiatives (multiple food pantries and fresh food programs funded)
  • Programs serving immigrants and multilingual communities
  • Youth development and education
  • Services for vulnerable populations (homeless individuals, people with disabilities, seniors)
  • Environmental and climate resilience projects

4. Leveraging Volunteer Capacity Demonstrate meaningful engagement with Tufts volunteers—not just token participation. Examples include:

  • Student volunteers providing tutoring or mentorship
  • Faculty expertise contributing to program development
  • Staff members serving on boards or committees
  • Regular volunteer participation in program activities

Budget Considerations

With a fixed grant amount of $3,000, applications should:

  • Demonstrate that $3,000 will make a meaningful difference
  • Provide clear budget breakdown showing how funds will be used
  • Avoid requests that seem too small or too large for the grant amount

Reporting Requirements

Award recipients must:

  • Use funds for the proposed project by December 31
  • Submit a brief impact report by December 31
  • Share results on social media tagging @TuftsCommunity (encouraged but not required)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Tufts volunteer involvement is non-negotiable: Ensure you have active Tufts student, staff, or faculty volunteers and can document their engagement. This is the primary eligibility criterion and a key evaluation factor.

  2. Be specific and concrete: Request funding for tangible items or clearly defined projects rather than general program support. Successful applications specify exactly what will be purchased or accomplished.

  3. Geographic focus matters: Organizations must be based in or primarily serve Boston, Grafton, Medford, or Somerville. If you're outside these communities, demonstrate how your work directly benefits residents of these areas.

  4. Competition is increasing: With over 100 applicants for 35 awards, the success rate is approximately 35%. Strong applications that clearly demonstrate volunteer engagement and community impact are essential.

  5. Think community-level impact: The program prioritizes projects that address significant community needs such as food security, education access, youth development, and services for vulnerable populations.

  6. Fixed grant amount allows focused proposals: Since all grants are $3,000, craft your proposal around a project that can be meaningfully supported by this amount—not too ambitious, not too modest.

  7. Build relationships year-round: The program values ongoing partnerships between Tufts volunteers and community organizations. Cultivating these relationships throughout the year strengthens future applications.

References

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