Medford, Somerville Nonprofits Can Apply For Tufts Community Grants

MEDFORD, MA — Tufts University has announced that applications are open for local nonprofits interested in receiving a $3,000 Tufts Community Grant (TCG).

The applications are open until March 1, and available online. The grants are available to organizations that are in one of Tufts' four host communities — Boston, Grafton, Medford and Somerville — and have had a Tufts faculty, staff, or student volunteer in the last year.

The TCG board is set to award 35 $3,000 grants this year, up from $2,000 grants last year, according to a Tufts spokesperson.

The TCG program is funded by donations from faculty and staff through the university's annual fundraising campaign, Tufts Community Appeal.

Additionally, Cummings Foundation — co-founded by Bill Cummings of Cummings Properties — has donated two dollars for every dollar given by faculty and staff.

"Each year, the Tufts Community Grant program provides an opportunity for university faculty and staff to support the meaningful work local nonprofits 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."

Since 1994, TCG grants have benefitted over 145 nonprofit organizations, according to a Tufts spokesperson.

Last year, the TCG board awarded $70,000 to 35 local organizations, including seven first-time recipients of TCG funds.

Among the local recipients were:

• Medford-based English at Large, which received a grant for the purchase of dictionaries, textbooks and software for use in beginner English classes for immigrants.
• Somerville's East Somerville Main Streets, which received a grant to support operating costs for a new Sunday farmers market that waived fees for local vendors to participate in the first year.