Cambridge Savings Bank Charitable Foundation – Community Grants
Deadline: April 15, 2026
Program Grants Addressing Affordable Housing and Food Insecurity in Greater Boston
The Cambridge Savings Bank Charitable Foundation provides charitable grants to nonprofit organizations delivering direct, program-specific support to low- and moderate-income residents across Greater Boston. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives that address housing stability and food insecurity, with an emphasis on measurable community impact.
Organization
Cambridge Savings Bank Charitable Foundation
Support Type
Charitable grants, sponsorships, and in-kind donations (program/project-specific)
Typical Funding Amount
- Up to $5,000 per nonprofit per calendar year
- Generally limited to one award per organization per year
Geographic Focus
Organizations serving low- to moderate-income residents in:
- Middlesex County, MA
- Suffolk County, MA
- Essex County, MA
- Norfolk County, MA
Focus Areas
The Foundation concentrates its grantmaking on the following priority needs:
Affordable Housing, Shelters & Transitional Housing
- Housing stability initiatives
- Emergency and transitional shelter programs
- Services supporting individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity
Food Insecurity
- Food access and nutrition programs
- Community-based food distribution and hunger relief initiatives
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Serve low- to moderate-income individuals or households
- Operate within the Foundation’s eligible counties
- Submit a program- or project-specific request (not general operations)
Requests That Will Not Be Considered
The Foundation generally does not fund:
- General operating support or annual appeals
- Organizations operating for less than one year
- Political, advocacy, governmental, fraternal, or labor groups
- Religious organizations (unless the program is community-serving and open to all)
- Trips, tours, transportation, or traveling teams
- Pass-through grantmakers or scholarship-only funds
- Organizations that discriminate or exclude protected classes
The Foundation reserves the right to reject any application or make exceptions at its discretion.
Application Timeline & Review
- 📅 Deadline for This Cycle: April 15, 2026
- Review Cycle: Quarterly Foundation Board meetings
- Additional annual deadlines: July 15, September 30, December 31 (subject to change)
Application / Request Process
Cambridge Savings Bank has transitioned to a fully online application system. All requests must be submitted through the web-based grants portal (paper, email, or phone requests are not accepted).
Required Application Materials Include:
- Cover letter addressed to Jeri Foutter, First Vice President, Community Partnerships & Foundation Officer
- Organization mission statement
- Annual organizational budget
- Percentage and number of beneficiaries who are low- to moderate-income
- Most recent IRS Form 990
- Signed nonprofit W-9 (within last 12 months)
- Latest audited or non-audited financial statement
- Board of Directors list
- Full proposal including:
- Organizational history and programs
- Target population and community need
- Goals, timeline, and evaluation plan
- Program and operating budget (including salaries)
Apply / Learn More
➡️ https://www.cambridgesavings.com/community/grants
Questions
✉️ communityrelations@cambridgesavings.com
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is well suited for nonprofits that:
- Serve low- and moderate-income communities in Greater Boston
- Focus on housing stability or food access
- Can demonstrate clear outcomes and accountability
- Are seeking modest, program-specific funding (up to $5,000)
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
- Deadline: April 15, 2026
- Typical Award Size: Up to $5,000
- Funding Focus: Affordable housing & food insecurity
- Best Suited For: Established nonprofits with defined programs serving LMI populations
