Yes.
The City will accept applications through June 30, 2023.
This is a reimbursement grant of up to $2,500. We ask that restaurants compile all of their invoices/receipts and proof of payments and submit one application.
If you are applying online via your Apple phone, please use a different web browser than Safari. It doesn’t work well with our application form.
If the web browser is not the issue, please make sure you have attached invoices and put an answer down for every required question, including the drop-down menu questions, like number of employees.
If you continue to have issues, please call us at 617-349-4266 to schedule a time for staff to call you and help fill out the application with you. We can also provide you with a paper/PDF version of the application.
Yes. You will receive a 1099 Form from the city.
Grant funds will be awarded and distributed on a rolling basis. Once a business receives an award notification, it can take up to 4-6 weeks for a grantee to receive funds. Funds will be delayed if program staff do not receive the correct contract documentation from the business owner.
Please have the business owner email smallbizgrants@cambridgema.gov for any questions regarding their grant or grant application. Business owners will receive an email before the grant deadline if we are missing anything we need to review their application.
You can provide us this documentation in three ways:
Send items back via email to smallbizgrants@cambridgema.gov
You may provide photos of your invoices, etc. As long as the photo(s) is clear and your Cambridge business address can be seen.
If you would like to drop off these items to the office, you can do so two ways:
There is a white mailbox at the outside the back entrance of Cambridge City Hall 795 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA. The mailbox is checked Mondays-Thursdays. Please make sure the documents are secured in an envelope and put on the outside of the envelope the following: “City Manager’s Office Outdoor Dining Grant” with your business name included.
Drop off documents in an envelope that says “Outdoor Dining Grant” to the City Manager’s Office on the first floor of City Hall
Please make sure to send us or drop off your documents by June 30, 2023
Yes, only if this grant is being used for approved expenses and you have not used previous funds received for the same specific expense.
No, you must have a business located in Cambridge, MA to be eligible.
No, this grant is for business expenses for outdoor dining costs only.
Cambridge residents with restaurants located outside the City of Cambridge.
Cambridge restaurant that has outstanding invoices/fees to the City of Cambridge
Applicants who are not in compliance with any federal, state or local laws or regulations, including those pertaining to zoning and licensing.
Venues in Cambridge that are open to the public and providing outdoor seating for their dinners. Examples include:
Restaurants, bars, coffee shops
Quick service/take out places
Paying for architect/engineering services to get a stamped drawing
Purchase of outdoor dining equipment & materials
Purchase of patio heaters
Storage of Outdoor Dining materials
Invoice(s)and proof of payment of approved expenses. Receipts of purchases are sufficient proof of purchase.
No. All documents must be provided before review and award.
No. These funds may only be used for approved expenses incurred since March 3, 2021.
Yes. Please contact staff at smallbizgrants@cambridgema.gov or leave a message at 617-349-4266 and someone will get back to you about scheduling an appointment. Interpretation and translation services can be made available.
