Cambridge Community Foundation

OUR VISION

A vibrant, diverse and inclusive Cambridge with the culture of giving and opportunity for all.

Established in 1916 with the charter to serve the city of Cambridge, the Cambridge Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity. Our vision: A vibrant, thriving and inclusive Cambridge, with the culture of giving and opportunity for all.

Three overarching goals motivate our actions:

• Create an inclusive vision and agenda for shared prosperity throughgrantmaking, civic leadership, and philanthropy;
• Build a permanent endowment to serve the city today and protect its future;
• Expand the capacity for civic leadership with a sustained focus on equity, justice and opportunity.

A foundation OF and FOR the community, the Cambridge Community Foundation is a connector, convener, catalyst for change and a collaborative partner to the entire community – Residents/Non-profits; Institutions, Government, Business Community.

OUR HISTORY

Cambridge Community Foundation was one of the first community foundations in the nation, established to make a difference in the lives of Cambridge residents. Created to serve as a vehicle for local giving and to address local needs, the Foundation has expanded its commitment to the power of philanthropy and to civic leadership over the past century.

A founding gift from cattleman John Parmenter was dedicated to college scholarships, enabling generations of students to study at Harvard College.

As the Foundation’s endowment grew through gifts and bequests, it expanded its range of activity. Since the 1950s, organized grantmaking to support nonprofit organizations has steadily increased. Last year, the Foundation awarded $1.3 million in grants. That support has also grown more strategic over time, focused on long-term impact and addressing critical community needs.

Cambridge today presents a significant conundrum to those who care about community. Famous as a leader in education, the City of Cambridge has also long been a national economic engine. Today it stands as the epicenter of a global innovation economy. Yet many residents continue to struggle. Homelessness and hunger remain chilling realities, and too many children grow up ill equipped to thrive in the very economy that drives the city and the region.

To address these critical challenges, the Foundation works to support systemic change seeking innovative ways to foster greater opportunity for all local residents.

Please click here for:  Equity and Innovation Cities / The Case of Cambridge / A Research Report by the Cambridge Community Foundation / Released:  April 2021