2026 Tufts Community Grants Recipients
May 27, 2026
The Tufts Community Grants Board awarded grants to 12 organizations in Boston, 4 organizations in Grafton, 12 organizations in Medford, 12 organizations in Somerville.
TCG collects donations from university employees throughout the year and then awards grants to community-based, charitable organizations that serve Tufts’ host communities (Somerville, Medford, Grafton and Boston) and that actively engage Tufts volunteers in their work.
A committee comprised of Tufts administrators, faculty and staff meets annually to review proposals and select grant recipients. There was a total of $200,00 available to award to the 2065 TCG applicants. More than 100 area non-profits applied for grants. 40 programs and projects were selected for grants. Members of the TCG committee base their decisions on a desire to address the most pressing needs in the communities and to encourage expanded involvement of Tufts volunteers.
All grants awarded were $5,000.
Boston Recipients:
Asian Taskforce Against Domestic Violence: Installation of a privacy fence at ATASK’s emergency shelter, creating a secure outdoor space where survivors of domestic violence and their children can safely play, relax, and heal
Boston's Higher Ground: A five-week summer learning academy serving students in Dorchester and Mattapan with trauma-informed programming focused on literacy, math, STEM enrichment, and social-emotional learning
Friday Night Supper Program: Funding will provide winter clothing and improved pantry storage infrastructure to strengthen services for individuals experiencing food insecurity
Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center: Staff training in diabetes prevention and CPR instruction, the purchase of CPR equipment, and the expansion of culturally responsive wellness and community safety education for Chinese-speaking older adults
Guangzhou Association of Boston: Bilingual digital literacy workshops and cultural programming for Boston-area seniors, including venue and performance expenses
Grafton Recipients:
Apple Tree Arts: Tuition assistance and course materials to help children and families in Grafton and Worcester County access music and performing arts education regardless of financial circumstances
Community Harvest Project: Purchase of 2,800 pounds of fresh produce for food-insecure Grafton residents during the summer growing season
Grafton Public Schools: Purchase of programmable Blue-Bot robots to help elementary students build foundational skills in sequencing, spatial reasoning, and computational thinking
Meals That Matter: Purchase of refrigeration and kitchen equipment needed to expand meal delivery services for Grafton residents experiencing food insecurity
Medford Recipients:
All Court Enrichment (ACE): Funding to support ACE Advanced, a sports-based youth development program serving adolescents in Medford
Arts Collaborative Medford: Purchase of materials and equipment for a community makerspace and classroom offering arts programming for local youth
Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library: Purchase of read-along books with built-in audio features to improve accessibility for youth with visual impairments, learning disabilities, and English language learners
English at Large: Funding to support the development of a Beginner English Level 2 class serving low-income immigrants and refugees
Food Link: Purchase of food rescue supplies, fuel, and technology to help deliver food to Medford families experiencing food insecurity
Friends of the Fells: Purchase of trail tools, along with support for volunteer training and expanded access initiatives that engage students and underserved communities in outdoor stewardship
Housing Families: Purchase and distribution of clothing, food, and hygiene supplies for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Medford
Medford Band Parent Organization: Purchase of equipment for the Medford High color guard, helping ensure students can participate fully regardless of financial circumstances
Medford Family Network: Funding to support family programming, educational resources, and activities for families with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental differences
Medford Farmers Market: Funding to support SNAP/EBT access and produce delivery programs that connect Medford residents and older adults with fresh, local food
Mystic Valley YMCA: Funding to equip Medford school nurses’ offices with snack and comfort supply bins to support students during the school day
Scouting America Troop 416 of Medford: Purchase of an equipment trailer to expand youth programming and community service efforts
Somerville Recipients:
The Center for Arts at the Armory: Funding to support subsidized performance space rentals and production costs for public arts and cultural events led by local artists
The DREAM Program: Support of year-round mentorship and enrichment programming for Somerville youth, including academic support, leadership development, and summer activities
Gentle Giant Rowing Club: Funding to acquire necessary permits, insurance, and a policy presence for the Mystic River Pride Flotilla, helping ensure a safe and welcoming community event
Mass Farmers Markets: Funding will bring the Power of Produce Club program to the Davis Square Farmers’ Market, engaging children and families through educational programming
Mystic River Watershed Association: Support of placemaking events along the Mystic River focused on Indigenous history, culture, and ecological knowledge in Medford and Somerville
Elizabeth Peabody House: Purchase of nutritious food for weekly distribution to Somerville residents experiencing food insecurity
Project Citizenship: Free citizenship services for immigrants in Boston, Medford, and Somerville, including screenings, legal assistance, and naturalization application support
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services: Funding to support caregiver programs that improve quality of life for caregivers and individuals living with dementia
Somerville Homeless Coalition: Purchase of a privacy pod for the organization’s engagement center, providing clients with a more dignified meeting space
Somerville Youth Hockey Association: Funding for initiatives to recruit and retain girls in youth hockey through clinics, community-building events, and participation incentives
Somerville Youth Soccer: Funding to expand access and participation opportunities for families both on and off the soccer field
The Welcome Project: Purchase of workplace-contextualized ESOL textbooks for immigrant students participating in workforce development classes