The City of Cambridge has awarded $4.3 million in grants to Cambridge nonprofit organizations through the Cambridge Nonprofit Recovery Fund (Fund). The Fund is a collaboration between the City of Cambridge, the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition (CNC) and Conduit Government Relations (CGR) to help address the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Cambridge nonprofits.
“We appreciated the expertise of Conduit Government Relations and the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition as we partnered to strengthen City’s nonprofit infrastructure through this critical grant program,” said City of Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang. “The City of Cambridge deeply values all of our amazing nonprofits and the role they play in our community. This initiative is part of ensuring that we are investing and strengthening our local nonprofits.”
The Fund has distributed 42 grants with an average award of $103,000 (see complete list of recipients below). It has provided both deep and broad support to the sector, bolstering organizations providing a wide range of programs in Cambridge, from early childhood education and youth development, to arts and culture, affordable housing preservation, shelter provision and much more.
“Cambridge nonprofits stepped up to meet the many diverse and complex needs of the community during the pandemic,” said Elena Sokolow-Kaufman of CNC. “However, our work has shown that even as we begin 2024, the nonprofit sector remains vulnerable to COVID-19’s economic impact and an increasingly difficult labor market. Sokolow-Kaufman added, “Shoring up these institutions remains one of the smartest things we can do with our federal recovery funds to ensure a future Cambridge that is stronger, more vibrant and inclusive.”
“We are proud to partner with the City of Cambridge and CNC to create and implement the Cambridge Nonprofit Recovery Fund to support Cambridge nonprofits in their efforts to maintain operations and continue to serve the community,” said Scott Carter, President and Chief Strategy Officer of CGR. “These grants will make a significant impact and help ensure that these organizations have the tools they need to succeed and serve their communities.”
The Cambridge Nonprofit Recovery Fund was designed to help the Cambridge nonprofit sector recover from the pandemic through grants covering related financial losses and increased operating expenses. Nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status, a Cambridge location and demonstrated financial loss and/or increased operating expenses due to COVID-19 were eligible for grants of up to $150,000.
About Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition
CNC is a growing network of 80+ Cambridge-serving nonprofits. Its mission is to advance equity and justice in the community by strengthening the Cambridge nonprofit sector, building collective voice, and promoting collaboration.
About Conduit Government Relations
Conduit Government Relations is a boutique government relations and public affairs firm headquartered in Washington, DC. We specialize in public affairs, government relations, strategic communications, and public relations. Our focus industries include food and food insecurity, water, waste, renewable energy, and agriculture.
Grantee List
Agassiz Baldwin Community
Ballet Theatre of Boston, Inc. d/b/a José Mateo Ballet Theatre
Boston Taekwando Project
Brattle Film Foundation
Cambridge Adult Education
Cambridge Camping
Cambridge Community Center
Cambridge Community TV
Cambridge Historical Society DBA History Cambridge
Cambridge Jazz Foundation
Cambridge Local First
Cambridge Math Circle, Inc.
Cambridge Neighbors
Cambridge Volunteer Clearinghouse (Sponsor Inc)
Cambridge YMCA
Caritas Communities
CASPAR
Central Square Theater
Children's Village
Christ Church Cambridge
Cycle Kids
De Novo Center for Justice and Healing
East End House, Inc.
Family Opera, Inc. D/B/A North Cambridge Family Opera
Fenway Community Health Center, Inc.
Fletcher Maynard Academy Parent Teacher Organization
Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts, Inc.
Green Cambridge
Just A Start
Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House
Multicultural Arts Center
Navigation Games
Revels, Inc.
Science Club for Girls, Inc.
Second Chances, Inc.
Solutions at Work, Inc.
Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts
The Dance Complex
Urban Food Initiative, Inc. d/b/a Daily Table
Women's Educational Center, Inc dba Cambridge Women's Center
Y2Y Network, Inc.
YWCA Cambridge