CNC's Engagement with the City
The Anti-Aid Amendment
CNC and the Cambridge Community Foundation have shared a new legal memo from Hemenway & Barnes, LLP clarifying how the Anti-Aid Amendment must be applied relative to nonprofit funding. The Anti-Aid Amendment of the Massachusetts constitution, which prohibits Massachusetts cities and towns from providing funding to private individuals or organizations, with the notable exception of contracts for specific services, has long been an obstacle to collaboration between nonprofits and the City of Cambridge. The review of caselaw and spending decisions detailed in the memo demonstrate that the Anti-Aid Amendment should not be a barrier to creative collaboration between government and nonprofits when acting in the public interest, including the provision of operating and capital funds for nonprofits.
CNC will be using this memo to advocate for greater flexibility and availability of funds to nonprofits.
Read the memo here.
CNC and the Cambridge Community Foundation have shared a new legal memo from Hemenway & Barnes, LLP clarifying how the Anti-Aid Amendment must be applied relative to nonprofit funding. The Anti-Aid Amendment of the Massachusetts constitution, which prohibits Massachusetts cities and towns from providing funding to private individuals or organizations, with the notable exception of contracts for specific services, has long been an obstacle to collaboration between nonprofits and the City of Cambridge. The review of caselaw and spending decisions detailed in the memo demonstrate that the Anti-Aid Amendment should not be a barrier to creative collaboration between government and nonprofits when acting in the public interest, including the provision of operating and capital funds for nonprofits.
CNC will be using this memo to advocate for greater flexibility and availability of funds to nonprofits.
Read the memo here.
ARPA + The Cambridge Nonprofit Recovery Fund
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Cambridge received approximately $87 million in federal aid through the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), with $6 million allocated to the Cambridge Nonprofit Recovery Fund. This fund offered grants of up to $150,000 to eligible local nonprofits to cover essential operational costs. Eligibility was restricted to 501(c)3 or 501(c)19 nonprofits operating within Cambridge and serving its residents. The grants addressed economic damages from March 2021 to December 2024. The Fund, advocated by the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition (CNC) and administered by the City of Cambridge, had an application period from May to July 2023. Of the 80 applicants, 42 organizations (53%) received funding, totaling $4.3 million, leaving $1.4 million unspent.
CNC analyzed applicant data and survey results to assess the fund's success. Read the analysis report here.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Cambridge received approximately $87 million in federal aid through the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), with $6 million allocated to the Cambridge Nonprofit Recovery Fund. This fund offered grants of up to $150,000 to eligible local nonprofits to cover essential operational costs. Eligibility was restricted to 501(c)3 or 501(c)19 nonprofits operating within Cambridge and serving its residents. The grants addressed economic damages from March 2021 to December 2024. The Fund, advocated by the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition (CNC) and administered by the City of Cambridge, had an application period from May to July 2023. Of the 80 applicants, 42 organizations (53%) received funding, totaling $4.3 million, leaving $1.4 million unspent.
CNC analyzed applicant data and survey results to assess the fund's success. Read the analysis report here.
Community Benefits
The Cambridge Community Benefits Fund supports Cambridge nonprofits delivering direct services to residents. Funded by pledges from real estate developers and administered by the City of Cambridge, the Fund has seen over $20 million pledged, with $7.5 million used for the initial funding round starting in March 2020.
This round focused on collaborative, multi-year projects addressing affordable housing, homelessness, financial security, and mental health. The process was guided by a Community Needs Assessment and overseen by the Community Benefits Advisory Committee, which includes CNC's Executive Director, Elena Sokolow-Kaufman, and Board Member, Erin Muirhead-McCarty (CAC) as nonprofit representatives.
The Cambridge Community Benefits Fund supports Cambridge nonprofits delivering direct services to residents. Funded by pledges from real estate developers and administered by the City of Cambridge, the Fund has seen over $20 million pledged, with $7.5 million used for the initial funding round starting in March 2020.
This round focused on collaborative, multi-year projects addressing affordable housing, homelessness, financial security, and mental health. The process was guided by a Community Needs Assessment and overseen by the Community Benefits Advisory Committee, which includes CNC's Executive Director, Elena Sokolow-Kaufman, and Board Member, Erin Muirhead-McCarty (CAC) as nonprofit representatives.