Cambridge Community Foundation
About
The Cambridge Community Foundation is a public charity that serves as the city’s local giving platform, built, funded and guided by residents since 1916. It pools the generosity of thousands of donors and invests in nonprofits working on social services, academic support, cultural enrichment and economic opportunity. Its current plan rests on two linked pillars, economic mobility and social cohesion, with a focus on helping the most vulnerable residents move out of poverty.
Beyond grantmaking, the foundation acts as a civic convener. It brings together individuals and organizations, commissions research to identify community priorities and organizes collaborations to tackle the city’s toughest problems. Donors can work with the foundation to plan charitable giving in Cambridge and beyond, and it publishes stories of community action, such as the city’s coordinated response to federal changes affecting SNAP and MassHealth benefits. A recent snapshot reports $4.4 million invested in the community and 175 organizations supported.
What to Know
- It is a 501(c)(3) public charity and offers donor-advised funds.
- A recent report notes that 76% of donor-advised grants stayed local.
- Entrepreneur Ham Lord was elected to lead its board, with Gail Roberts as vice-chair.
- The foundation reports $1.24 million invested in strategic initiatives.
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