At Cambridge, we believe culture counts, values matter most, and by working together, we will make a positive difference in our communities. The Cambridge Foundation's mission is to be a valued member of our extended community, adding to its quality of life economically and culturally.
Charitable Priorities
The Cambridge Foundation Board continually refines relevant objectives while assessing and awarding grants based on annual funding goals. We strive to focus our charitable goals in these strategic areas:
Arts, culture, and community engagement initiatives that enrich the quality of life in our communities.
Education, scholarship, and workforce development programs that prepare the next generation.
Health, human services, and environmental sustainability efforts that strengthen our communities.
The Cambridge Foundation makes contributions to organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Organizations must have broad community support and address specific community needs while demonstrating fiscal and administrative responsibility.
Today, the Cambridge Foundation Board may give preference to grant requests related to the six county areas that are home to the majority of home office associates. This includes communities in Jefferson, Keokuk, Henry, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington counties.
Grant requests focused on communities outside this preferred region are considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Matching Gifts program provides a funding match to qualified requests from Cambridge's home office associates and independent financial professionals — directing program funding to non-profit efforts they personally support.
This annual program enables associates and financial professionals to direct program funding to organizations where they volunteer their personal time, amplifying their community impact.
Grant applications are reviewed quarterly. Submit early — no awards are typically made until end of March.
| Deadline | Review | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| March 1 | March 15 | April 1 |
| June 1 | June 15 | July 1 |
| September 1 | September 15 | October 1 |
| November 1 | November 15 | December 1 |
Applications received after November 1 will be considered for the following year. Grant awards are limited to one per year, per grantee organization.
Cambridge is committed to making a positive difference in the places where our associates and financial professionals live and work.