Cambridge to Offer Additional $1 Million in Grants to Eligible Nonprofit Organizations to Provide Services to Vulnerable Residents

The City of Cambridge Community Benefits Advisory Committee is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for $10,000 grants for up to 100 eligible 501c3 nonprofit organizations.

At its February 8, 2021 meeting, the Cambridge City Council approved a recommendation by City Manager Louis A. DePasquale for the appropriation of an additional $1 million to support a new round of grants for eligible nonprofit organizations.

Applications for eligible 501c3 nonprofit organizations are now available and will be accepted through February 22, 2021. Grant agreements will be awarded to provide services to vulnerable Cambridge residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. Services must respond to the needs identified in the Cambridge Community Needs Assessment and are subject to the requirements of the Community Benefits Advisory Committee Ordinance, Municipal Code Chapter 2.127. This second round of funding builds upon the $1 million in grant funding awarded in July 2020.

“Our non-profits are essential to Cambridge,” said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui. “Whether it’s direct services, civic engagement or arts and culture work, Cambridge non-profits continue to support our residents, and it is critical for us to continue our support of them and their work, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“I am extremely pleased that we are able to provide $1 million in additional grants to our nonprofit community to help them continue to serve our low-income, under-resourced, vulnerable families and individuals at risk,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “With the ongoing financial strain these nonprofit organizations are facing, the $2 million in total Community Benefits Funds available through these grant agreements will continue to provide the critical support needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts on vulnerable populations and has disproportionately affected immigrant communities, people of color, and low-income families,” said Ellen Semonoff, Assistant City Manager for Human Services and Chair of the Community Benefits Advisory Committee. “Non-profits across the city do amazing work to support and empower these communities, and this additional funding will help these organizations continue to provide essential services to Cambridge residents.”

In addition to its support for the nonprofit community, the City of Cambridge has also provided financial assistance to Cambridge residents and small businesses through the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, federal Community Development Block Grant and CARES funding, and the Housing Stabilization Fund.

As of February 9, 2021, City and community direct financial support to individuals, families, small businesses, and nonprofits has included:

• $5 million in donations from Cambridge residents and corporations to the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund;
• $3 million in City funds for COVID-19 related food, lodging, and shelter services;
• $4.2 million in small business COVID-19 grants and loans through the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund, CARES Act, Community Development Block Grants, and Cambridge Redevelopment Authority;
• $2 million in grants committed by the City to nonprofits for COVID-19 related services to residents;
• $5.4 million in direct City support provided through Housing Stabilization Program, funded by CARES Act, the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund, and Community Preservation Act;
• $600,000 in grants to address urgent needs in the local arts and culture sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic though a Cultural Capital Fund which is funded by Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund and Wagner Foundation and administered by the Cambridge Community Foundation;
• $9.3 million in additional City funds for the School Department for COVID-19 related health and safety mitigations, staff, technology, and instructional supports;
• $10.5 million committed by the City through the Coronavirus Relief Fund received as part of the Federal Cares Act to the State of Massachusetts and allocated to cities and towns. Funds have been used towards costs related to COVID-19 testing sites; personal protective equipment; services and supports to Cambridge residents; meals for the homeless program; and activities and supports related to homeless services.

For more information and to apply for the grants for eligible nonprofits, visit www.Cambridgema.gov/nonprofitgrants.