The Forward Fund is seeking applications for its Capital Infrastructure Grant.
Donor Name: Forward Fund
State: Massachusetts
City: Cambridge
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/20/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Capital Infrastructure Grant program funds the cost of capital infrastructure projects, including materials, project management, and labor to build, renovate, repair, or improve new or existing structures and open space amenities.
Funding Information
Grant Cap: Up to $75,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Any non-profit organization in Cambridge that owns or operates community facilities. The organization’s mission should provide support, social services, and/or resources to those in Cambridge, with the goal of helping to achieve the CRA’s 2023 Strategic Plan, or the City’s Envision Cambridge citywide plan.
The criteria below must be met for a project or organization to be eligible:
- The project is in Cambridge.
- The applicant is a nonprofit organization (501c3), or a community group or organization with a fiscal (501c3) sponsor.
- The applicant has control over the proposed project site through ownership, or has a letter of support from the property owner detailing a long-term (5-year + duration) lease or other agreement. Projects that can demonstrate a significant community benefit but have a lesser degree of permanence will be considered on a discretionary basis by the Forward Fund Selection Committee and/or CRA staff.
- The project will fund a capital improvement project/study that has not yet been completed, and is not intended for programming or other non-capital infrastructure work including but not limited to items such as laptops, monitors, recording equipment, furniture, etc.
- The applicant can explain how the project being studied/implemented will help achieve the priorities identified in the CRA’s 2023 Strategic Plan, or the City’s Envision Cambridge citywide plan.
- The project is publicly accessible, or is part of an institution with a civic/social/neighborhood mission that serves the community.
- Funds are not intended for programming or other non-capital infrastructure work including but not limited to items such as laptops, monitors, recording equipment, furniture, etc.
- The Forward Fund will not fund a capital improvement project that has already been completed.
Evaluation Criteria
Projects will be scored based on the following criteria:
- The application includes a clear narrative on how the project aligns with the action items identified in the CRA’s 2023 Strategic Plan, or the Envision Cambridge citywide plan.
- The applicant demonstrates staff capacity for the organization to successfully implement the project.
- The project is feasible and can be implemented within a one/two-year time frame. Additionally, if the project/study costs more than what is requested from the Forward Fund, the applicant has a plan to pay for the remaining cost of the project/study.
- The project has a high level of public accessibility or visibility.
- The applicant has a clear narrative on how the organization’s space that will be improved by the capital project meets ADA accessibility standards, and/or how the proposed capital project incorporates efforts to improve accessibility. Accessibility encompasses, but is not limited to, different physical, emotional, and mental needs of the public.
- The project aspires to sustainable best practices (as applicable). Environmental sustainability in capital infrastructure projects can relate to many aspects, ranging from energy efficient mechanical equipment, use of sustainable and recycled materials, to responsible disposal of construction waste. For more details, refer to the City’s Envision Cambridge Climate and Environment Plan, and Sustainable Development page.
- The project has an ability to inspire or facilitate other community investments.
For more information, visit CRA.
