City Council election results:
👍 The next Council shares support on nonprofit priorities
This fall, we surveyed City Council candidates about their feelings on three specific policies:
- Limiting application of the Anti-Aid Amendment.
- Helping the sector surmount workforce challenges.
- The slow pace of releasing federal ARPA funds / the process’s lack of transparency.
After the election last week (see results), we took a look at what the Council-elect said — and found encouraging answers that point to partnering with the new Council to achieve these aims (and more) in 2024 and 2025.
- All councilors-elect (except one who said she didn't know enough) support limiting application of the Anti-Aid Amendment (a state constitutional amendment which makes it hard for the City to directly fund nonprofits).
- Seven of the councilors-elect said they're committed to helping the sector with workforce challenges. (The other two said they didn't know enough.)
- All councilors-elect said they were committed to expediting the ARPA process and making it more transparent in the next stage.
Read our full analysis here.
Help us advertise your Holiday drives:
⛄ Fill out this quick form if your organization hosts a Holiday Drive
 Thanks to our partner Cambridge Volunteers for partnering with us on this project.
👏 Thanks to those who've filled this form out so far.
Deadline: The Wednesday after Thanksgiving (11.29), so that we can spread the word in this newsletter and with partners in early December.
Note: The form will also help find you one-time volunteers.
Below: The holiday drives we've seen so far in the responses.
ARPA Update:
- The City has notified every applicant of their award status.
- CNC is conducting a review of applicant information to identify themes and will also collect additional information about the applicant experience
- CNC is committed to sharing what we learn and applying those learnings to future projects.
If you'd like to contribute to this work by joining the Sector Strategy subcommittee or have questions, please email Elena.
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🥙🤗 Register for today's ED Lunch
- When: Today, 11/17, 12-1pm
- Where: Zoom
- About: Executive Director lunches are an opportunity for nonprofit leaders to connect, network, support each other, and share valuable information. They're particularly helpful for those new in their role, new to Cambridge or both.
- Register.
Thank you to our ED lunch sponsor Berkshire Bank
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 Thank you to our new catering partner Dig Kendall for extending CNC's savings to our network.
DIG makes scratch-cooked meals that highlight fresh vegetables, high-quality proteins, and whole ingredients. Think warm chicken bowls, farm-fresh salads, and our famous mac and cheese.
Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition newsletter readers get 15% pickup orders — use CAMBRIDGENP15 at checkout on Dig's app or website.
Offer valid this November and December.
Max purchase value: $15.
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Have a job to fill?
Want a boost for your social posts?
→ CNC will promote members' jobs in this newsletter + your free events/news on social media and beyond.
Let us know what you'd like us to promote by replying to this email.
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 Member Spotlight
Everything you've wanted to know about ✨Cambridge School Volunteers✨
This exchange is edited for length.
Read the entire Q&A w/ CSV on our blog.
What are your values?
Reducing the opportunity gap by supporting students' academic and personal success is foundational to our work. We destigmatize asking for help because everyone needs help at some point, and we empower students to be advocates for their education.
What are your services or programs?
Our trained volunteers work with students of all needs and levels – before, during, or after school – so that all students can get the academic and social-emotional support they need to succeed. From elementary math and literacy programs like Reading Buddies and Scratch to college essay help in our College & Career Mentoring Program, our volunteers work with students 1:1 or in small groups to boost skills and confidence at no cost to students and families.
What are your upcoming projects, initiatives, or events?
We are always looking for volunteers for our programs and to fulfill the requests we get from teachers for classroom support. Currently, we need Reading Buddies to read to 1st and 2nd Graders at Fletcher Maynard Academy; tutors for our Afterschool Learning Centers for students in grades 6-8; and tutors for the Tutoring Center at CRLS, which meets before and after school. You can learn more by going to our website.
Share a recent story/event that embodies your work.
This is a testimonial from a teaching in the Rindge School of Technical Arts.
Cambridge School Volunteers has been incredibly helpful finding tutors to support my students. As a special educator, I rely on support systems within the school to provide tutoring help before and after school hours. In addition to my caseload, I have also relied on the volunteer tutors to help our diverse scholars with reading online safety exams in their vocational classes at the beginning of each semester. Their continued support helping my students with reading, writing, mathematics, and organization has resulted in my students passing the MCAS exams and feeling more confident in their abilities and academic goals.
You could be next!
Get your nonprofit featured in our newsletter, on social media + our website. Blog post examples here.
We're looking for our next member nonprofit to feature. Simply email Caroline to get in the queue.
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For nonprofit leaders & staff
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Grants & Resources
Harvard's Legacy of Slavery Initiative is planning to award grants.
- Sign up for updates.
- They'll be launching Requests for Proposals for community-based organizations to partner with the Harvard community to advance reparative actions that confront the lasting impact of slavery, in sectors such as education, economic mobility, health, urban planning, and criminal justice.
- To learn more, you can attend an upcoming Ideathons in Cambridge and Boston, on November 27 (Zoom), November 30 (Foundry), and December 7 (Roxbury) where you'll have the chance to exchange ideas and find potential partners.
Events & Professional Development
Webinar: The Urgency of Government Grants Reform for Your Nonprofit
- Monday, November 20, 3pm
- Host: National Council of Nonprofits
- Subjects covered: The consequences of bad Federal grant-making policies + legislative and regulatory solutions you can engage in to ensure reduced burdens, greater access to funding, and better outcomes.
- Learn more & RSVP
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT (opportunities we featured last month)
Plain Language Workshop
- Host: City of Cambridge's Human Rights Commission, Language Justice Division
- Workshop: Th, Dec. 14, 10-11:30am.
- Learn more & sign up.
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Reparations - Freedmen Commission idea gets another boost, suggesting approval when it reaches full council (Cambridge Day)
Creation of a Cambridge Freedmen’s Commission was embraced by city councillors, city staff and members of the public at an Ordinance Committee meeting Thursday.
The work to advance reparations from Cambridge’s recognition of American Freedmen – the descendants of enslaved people in the United States – has been led by Saskia VannJames, who presented to the council’s Civic Unity Committee on Aug. 21 and again to the Ordinance Committee.
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Need VOLUNTEERS?
Add your volunteer job to Cambridge Volunteer's curated and well-publicized list of Cambridge opportunities.
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