Cambridge Community Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $4.4 million in total community investments (2024); $1.5 million through Community Fund (FY25)
Success Rate: 70% of applicants receive funding
Decision Time: Approximately 3 months (application closes mid-January; decisions in April)
Grant Range: $1,500 - $25,000 (Community Fund); up to $50,000/year (Arts and Belonging)
Geographic Focus: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Total Assets: $62.7 million (June 2024)

Contact Details

Website: cambridgecf.org
Address: 99 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139
Email: grants@cambridgecf.org
Phone: 617-865-2216 (Danny DiCamillo, Senior Programs and Grantmaking Associate)
Development Contact: Michal Rubin, VP of Philanthropic Partnerships - mrubin@cambridgecf.org or 617-865-4862

Overview

Founded in 1916 as one of the nation's first community foundations, the Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) has operated for over a century with a mission to foster a vibrant, just, and equitable Cambridge. With total assets of $62.7 million and annual giving exceeding $4 million, CCF describes itself as "the foundation of and for all of Cambridge," harnessing "the power of collective action to ensure a vibrant, just, and equitable city for everyone."

Under President Geeta Pradhan's leadership since 2016, CCF has transformed from a traditional local grantmaker into a data-informed, strategic civic leader. The Foundation pursues three pillars: shared prosperity, social equity, and cultural richness. CCF has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. In FY25, the Foundation responded to unprecedented demand by increasing Community Fund grants by 65% to $1.5 million, supporting 161 organizations—the largest cohort in CCF history.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Fund (Primary Program)

Amount: Up to $25,000 per cycle for programmatic or general operating support
FY25 Statistics: Median grant $6,500; average grant $8,941
Total Distributed: $1,518,300 to 161 organizations (FY25)
Application Method: Online portal with annual cycle (opens November, closes January)

Arts and Belonging Grants (Culture Connects Cambridge Initiative)

Community Impact Grants: Up to $50,000/year for 3 years (organizations with budgets >$250,000)
Grassroots Grants: Up to $25,000/year for 3 years (organizations with budgets <$250,000)
Total Initiative: $1.4 million multi-year commitment
Application Method: By invitation; letter of interest process

Arrow Street Arts Fund

Supports performing arts organizations
Recent awards totaled $24,410 to three organizations

Priority Areas

CCF funding supports community-based nonprofits in these areas:

Child & Youth Development (largest allocation at 23% / $341,500 in FY25)
Arts & Culture ($298,500 in FY25)
Education ($245,500 in FY25)
Health & Wellbeing ($168,000 in FY25)
Community Building & Engagement ($143,000 in FY25)
Economic Security
Environment
Food Access
Housing

What They Don't Fund

Endowment campaigns
Capital improvement campaigns
Grants to individuals
Reimbursement for events or activities outside the grant period
Organizations without 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsor

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Geeta Pradhan - President (since 2016)

Holds Master of Urban Design from Harvard Graduate School of Design and honorary doctorate from Lesley University
Previously Associate VP for Programs at The Boston Foundation and co-founded Boston Indicators Project
On grantmaking philosophy: "We can support our nonprofits most now, by giving them the financial flexibility they need to unleash their creativity."

Elizabeth Patton - Chief of Staff

Previously at Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard

Geoff O'Connell - Chief Financial Officer

Program Leadership

Christina Turner - VP of Programs and Grantmaking

Background in education, youth development, and arts/culture
Previously Director of Education and Public Programs at New Bedford Whaling Museum
Chair of Equity Institute board

Michal Rubin - VP of Philanthropic Partnerships

Created CCF's donor co-investment program
MPA from Harvard; MA from Tel-Aviv University

Board Leadership

Phil Johnson - Board Chair

Founder and CEO of PJA Advertising + Marketing
Board member since 2011

Rosemarie Torres Johnson - Vice-Chair

Chair of Governance Committee
GBH Board of Trustees member

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Create Account: Register on the CCF application portal at cambridge.fcsuite.com
Complete Online Application: Provide organization and contact information
Upload Required Documents:
- IRS determination letter (or fiscal sponsor's letter)
- Most recent audit (or fiscal sponsor's audit)
- Project budget for requested funds

Eligibility Requirements

Active 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or fiscal sponsor
Program must serve residents of Cambridge, MA
Submit only one application per annual cycle
Cannot have active grants from other CCF programs (verify with CCF)

Decision Timeline

Application Opens: November 3
Application Closes: January 15 at 11:59pm
Decision Notification: April
Grant Period: July 1 - June 30

Info Sessions

CCF offers three virtual information sessions in November for prospective applicants. Sessions are recorded and available for those unable to attend live.

Success Rates

70% of applicant organizations receive funding
Few organizations receive their full request amount due to high demand
161 organizations funded in FY25 (from 230 applications implied by 70% rate)

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may apply in each annual cycle. There is no restriction on reapplication for previously unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

What Reviewers Look For

According to CCF, the strongest applications include:

Clear Community Need: How your organization addresses specific community needs in Cambridge
Local Connection: Why your organization operates in Cambridge (especially important for organizations serving communities beyond Cambridge)
Impact Data: Both qualitative and quantitative information about the impact of your work
Clear Goals: Specific, measurable goals for the grant period

Review Process

All applications are read by a panel of 43 community reviewers who volunteer to make funding recommendations based on what work they feel best supports community needs. This community-driven approach means applications should speak to local residents and demonstrate grassroots connection.

Recent Funded Projects (FY25 Examples)

Breakthrough Greater Boston ($25,000): Middle school through college success programming
The Dance Complex ($25,000): General operating support
Just A Start ($25,000): Adult Career Training in biotechnology and IT
Cambridge Community Center ($25,000): Strengthening Families Together behavioral health services
Innovators for Purpose ($25,000): Expanded STEM programming for Cambridge youth
Cambridge Hip-Hop Collective ($10,000): Outdoor community hip-hop events

Strategic Alignment

Proposals should align with CCF's three pillars:

Shared Prosperity: Economic opportunity and security
Social Equity: Addressing systemic barriers and promoting inclusion
Cultural Richness: Supporting arts, creativity, and community identity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Strong Success Rate: 70% of applicants receive funding—competitive but accessible compared to many foundations
Expect Partial Funding: Few organizations receive their full request; median award ($6,500) is well below maximum ($25,000)
Cambridge Focus is Essential: Must demonstrate clear connection to Cambridge residents—this is evaluated by community reviewers who live in Cambridge
Community Review Process: Applications are evaluated by volunteer community members, not just foundation staff—write for a general audience, not just philanthropy professionals
General Operating Welcome: CCF explicitly supports general operating grants, not just programmatic funding
Attend Info Sessions: Virtual sessions in November provide valuable guidance and signal engagement to the foundation
Contact Staff: Danny DiCamillo (617-865-2216) is available for questions and meetings—CCF encourages prospective applicants to reach out

References

Accessed December 2025