Local Nonprofit Organizations Invited to Apply for Tufts Community Grants

Tufts University is now accepting applications from local nonprofit organizations in its four host communities of Boston, Grafton, Medford and Somerville for awards from the Tufts Community Grants (TCG) program. The TCG program is funded by donations from faculty and staff at Tufts through the Tufts Community Appeal, the university’s annual internal fundraising campaign.

Cummings Foundation donated two dollars for every dollar given by faculty and staff, which will allow the TCG board to award 35 $3,000 grants this year—up from $2,000 grants last year. Grant applications will be accepted from February 1 to March 1, 2023. Applications are available at go.tufts.edu/tcg.

TCG helps eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are based in one of Tufts University’s host communities and have had a Tufts faculty, staff, or student volunteer in the last year. In this way, TCG supports both local organizations and the work of the many Tufts community members who volunteer with these organizations.

“Each year, the Tufts Community Grant program provides an opportunity for university faculty and staff to support the meaningful work local non-profits are doing in our neighboring communities,” said Rocco DiRico, executive director of government and community relations at Tufts University. “Through a generous challenge gift from Cummings Foundation, the impact of the Tufts Community Grant program will be even greater, bolstering available services and programming right here in our own backyard.”

Bill Cummings, A58, H06, J97P, M97P, founder of Cummings Properties and co-founder of Cummings Foundation, is a business leader, philanthropist, and trustee emeritus who grew up in Medford.

“Now, more than ever, local nonprofit organizations are doing incredibly important work supporting those in need,” said Bill Cummings. “That is why we are thrilled to support Tufts Community Grants, and through matching funds, help to amplify the remarkable impact these groups have in their communities."

One hundred percent of donations made to TCG during the Tufts Community Appeal go directly to nonprofits as grants. Since its founding in 1995, over 145 nonprofit organizations have benefited from the TCG.

Last year, the Tufts Community Grants board awarded a total of $70,000 to organizations in Tufts’ host communities, including seven first-time recipients of TCG funds. The grants supported a wide range of programs and projects addressing community needs. For example:

• In Grafton, the Grafton Senior Center received a grant for six months of free van rides for seniors to access medical care and other necessities.
• In Boston, the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence received a grant for the purchase of culturally specific food for an emergency shelter that provides a refuge for pan-Asian survivors of domestic violence.
• In Medford, English at Large received a grant for the purchase of dictionaries, textbooks, and software for use in beginner English classes for immigrants.
• In Somerville, East Somerville Main Streets received a grant to support operation costs for a new Sunday Farmers’ Market that waived fees for local vendors to participate in the first year.

In total, 35 organizations received grants in 2022.

TCG is just one of the many ways in which the university assists members of Tufts’ host communities. The Government and Community Relations team provides event sponsorships for local organizations, host community events on campus, and, in collaboration with other offices at Tufts, helps to support over 1,000 faculty, staff, and student volunteers with their community engagement work each year.

Questions regarding TCG can be directed to Government and Community Relations at communityrelations@tufts.edu or 617-627-3780.

Shown immediately above: Tufts volunteers for the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) paddling on the Mystic River in search of invasive aquatic plants; MyRWA is a past TCG recipient. Photo: MyRWA