Community Impact Arts & Belonging Grants

The Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) is launching its 2025 Arts and Belonging Grants as part of a broader strategy to strengthen social cohesion through support for arts and culture in Cambridge, Massachusetts. These grants reflect CCF’s long-standing commitment to cultural vibrancy and are grounded in community feedback collected during a listening initiative in fall 2024. Through this initiative, CCF aims to address systemic challenges facing local arts organizations, particularly the need for stable funding and inclusive, community-driven programming. CCF defines social cohesion as the process by which individuals feel part of a collective working toward shared goals. The foundation believes that the arts are a powerful vehicle for building this cohesion by connecting diverse communities, sharing power equitably, fostering cultural expression, and advancing mutual understanding. The Arts and Belonging Grants are the initial phase of a larger strategic plan to cultivate platforms that encourage community engagement and belonging. Two distinct tracks of funding are available in 2025: Community Impact Grants and Grassroots Grants. Both streams provide general operating support over multiple years and are intended for nonprofit and fiscally sponsored arts organizations operating in Cambridge. The Community Impact Grants offer $50,000 per year in funding and target organizations with a proven presence in the community and annual budgets exceeding $250,000. These grants are designed for groups that empower historically excluded communities, act as cultural hubs, and maintain consistent arts programming. The grant process begins with a Letter of Interest (LOI), which serves as an initial screening stage for potential applicants. The LOI submission period opens on May 1, 2025, and closes on June 3, 2025. Following this, selected applicants will receive invitations to submit full applications later in June 2025. The emphasis is on identifying organizations that enhance self-determination, provide inclusive spaces, and serve communities that have traditionally been marginalized or made to feel unwelcome in other venues. Applicants must meet several eligibility requirements to qualify. These include operating in Cambridge for at least one year, maintaining an annual operating budget over $250,000, and demonstrating a clear commitment to arts-based community building. Organizations must also deliver regular, ongoing arts and culture programming and demonstrate leadership in creating inclusive, culturally affirming environments. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Brandon Solis, Programs and Grantmaking Associate for Cultural Vibrancy, at 617-865-2334 for further information or to schedule a meeting. The Foundation emphasizes that these grants are just the beginning of a long-term effort to support the arts as a critical tool for building a more connected and resilient Cambridge.