Tufts Community Grants

The Tufts Community Grants (TCG), launched in 1995, support nonprofit initiatives in Boston, Grafton, Medford, and Somerville. Funded by Tufts University donations, TCG has awarded over $3,000 to 35 local programs in 2025, benefiting more than 150 nonprofits since inception. Grants are aimed at projects that enhance community service and require involvement from Tufts students or staff. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or specific public agencies, focusing on direct community benefits.

Note: The 2026 Tufts Community Grants application submission period will open in late winter 2026. Please check back for application details then.
Tufts Community Grants (TCG), began in November 1995 to support our host communities and the important work being done by Tufts volunteers with nonprofit organizations in Boston, Grafton, Medford and Somerville. Tufts Community Grants are funded by donations from Tufts University faculty and staff through the annual Tufts Community Appeal (TCA), an internal fundraising campaign.
Tufts University staff and faculty comprise the TCG board, which evaluates grant proposals and awards funding. In May 2025, 35 programs in Tufts' host communities each received $3,000 grants. Over 150 non-profits have received grants since 1995.

Eligibility

A Tufts Community Grant may fund any specific project, activity, program, or equipment purchase that furthers your organization's mission and serves the community. Examples of proposals funded in the past include: environmental education programming instruments for a youth bandpreservation of historic documentsfurniture for a home for disabled adults a wig bank for cancer patientsan after-school arts programa laptop computer for a domestic violence-prevention program transportation for seniorsfood staples for a food pantry a community gardening program computer software for special needs childrenwinter outerwear for homeless individualsTufts Community Grants are intended to support organizations based in or serving Tufts' host communities of Boston, Grafton, Medford or Somerville.Nonprofits not addressed in one of these four communities may apply for funding but must demonstrate that their proposal will primarily and directly benefit one of the four host communities. Applying organizations not based in Boston, Grafton, Medford or Somerville will be asked to identify and describe their connection to the host community that will benefit from their proposed project.Eligible organizations must have had at least one Tufts student, staff or faculty member actively involved as a volunteer in the past year.Be a nonprofit holding current tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Code or a:A government/municipal agency including libraries, housing authorities, councils on aging, etc. that are requesting funds exclusively for public purposesK-12 public or charter schoolFaith-based organization with a proposed project/initiative that benefits the community at large, such as food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, or other related human services

Ineligibility

Grants are not intended to be used towards general operating budgets or staff salaries.Tufts Community Grants are not intended to support annual fundraisers, galas, or similar events.