​Community Needs Assessment
The first step in the planning process for distributing Community Benefits funding was conducting a comprehensive Needs Assessment. ​With financial support from the Cambridge Community Foundation, the City hired TDC, a Boston-based consulting firm to conduct the Needs Assessment, and established the Needs Assessment Advisory Group, which included three members of the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition and its Coordinator. The Advisory Group provided guidance on the research strategy and worked to ensure an inclusive community engagement process.

Beginning in early 2015, TDC compiled and analyzed quantitative data, and in the spring partnered with the CNC and other Cambridge based nonprofits to engage residents in the assessment. These organizations conducted 14 resident focus groups all across Cambridge in order to ensure the resident perspective of need was included. The City also held a Needs Assessment Forum where nonprofit practitioners came together to give their perspective on the most compelling needs in Cambridge. ​The final Needs Assessment report was released on January 26, 2017. 

Learn More
Read the Needs Assessment report's Executive Summary, the Full Report, the City Manager's communication,  and the CNC's letter to the City Council.